Sorry for the lack of posts, I've been particularly busy.

Been pretty busy lately with my two full-time day jobs at Sourcefire.  The good news is, if you are a Snort user, that I am working on a lot of things that will not only make our community better, but improve how Sourcefire interacts with that community and allow us to move forward in a more progressive manner.

Aside from Sourcefire/Snort stuff, the shop that is restoring my Mustang is almost done (should get it back this week, and when I do, I'll post pics), I'm working on the shops website too (as the old one needed some TLC).  I got with the owner and we decided to redo the whole thing, so I am doing that in my spare time as well.

Thank you Squarespace!

Also working on another website that I tighten up a bit (aside from tightening up Snort.org a bit as well) for another company (Car alarm company) that I do a bit of consulting/marketing for.  So, it feels like I am buried in html lately.

On top of all of that, my son is doing well, my daughter is awesome and my wife's Grandmother died this past week, so we are all dealing with that as well.

Busy Busy Busy.  Stay tuned.  I've got a few posts lined up for the pipeline for not only this blog but for another blog I am starting, so when that all comes together, stay tuned!

Updated Mustang Page

I updated my "My Mustang" page today. Mostly just a link to the current pictures.

Click here for the page

Some new pictures of the Mustang

Went up to the shop that is restoring my car today and took a few photos.  For all the photos, go here, but here are some I took today.

[gallery]

and then, there was rust

Got a call today from the shop that is tearing down the Mustang for the rebuild, asking me to stop by if I could and take a look, it seems that the rust on the front end was a little worst than they expected.  I knew there was rust in there, but didn't know just how much...

So basically, we are going to replace from the driver's seat on forward.  Frame, sidewalls, everything.  Of course, I am getting stuck with the bill of people not doing it correctly to begin with, but, I suppose, that's the downfall of having a 42 year old car.

To look at the whole gallery of pictures I took today... Click here.

Stay tuned.

Mustang Status...

Had the car taken to the shop today.  I've removed most of the engine, and am to the point where I can't do anything else with the tools that I have available to me.  I don't know how to weld yet (I am learning, on the "job" training as it were), excuses, excuses, so anyway, to the shop the car went.

I guess I didn't get all the coolant out of the system when I was taking that portion apart.

This picture shows how much (well it kinda shows) I've stripped out of the car already.

I didn't take a picture with the hood up.  Should have...

Of course I'll post pictures along it's progress.

What I'm putting into the car:

• 351W motor, custom built crate engine (400-450 hp) (on order)


• New front suspension


• New radiator and coolant system


• New 8in rear


• New spindles (4 lug to 5 lug)


• New Rims + Tires (obviously)


• New T-5 Transmission

Page for my Mustang

Someone wrote me on Twitter and asked if I had a webpage about my 1968 Mustang, and I said I didn't, although it was a good idea for those that are interested.  So I made a quick page here on my website that I will keep updated with it's progress.

Check out the page here.  Thanks.

You can also find it under the "Pages" links on the right hand side of the homepage of the blog.

More Mustang stories

Last time I updated you on the Mustang, I said that the starter was the fault for it not wanting to.. well..  start.  I figured while the car was up at the shop I would have a new header and exhaust put on it as well.  I caught a lot of heat for that, saying "that's not what having a classic car is all about!"  True.  You have a point.  However, I am glad I didn't do the work myself, as I was going to head up and pick up the car tonight after work, but I called and made sure it was getting done and they told me some news...

Getting the header off was a bit harder than expected.  Seems like some of the bolts were missing, and the rest broke while trying to get them out.  Seems that this is the first time in 41 years that the headers have come off the engine since it was assembled in January of 1968.  Gaskets were dry rotted and shot, bolts were rusted, missing, and impossible to get out.

But alas, they did get it them all out, they have the new header on, new mufflers hanging and they were fabricating the dual exhaust (see, they don't make a "dual exhaust setup" for my engine/car) when I called up there earlier today.  I wanted to get the car in a nice running condition to where I can drive it and have fun doing so while I am building out the new engine/trans/rear/suspension..  etc.

So hopefully things will be done soon.


Please leave comments below.

More Mustang stories

Last time I updated you on the Mustang, I said that the starter was the fault for it not wanting to.. well..  start.  I figured while the car was up at the shop I would have a new header and exhaust put on it as well.  I caught a lot of heat for that, saying "that's not what having a classic car is all about!"  True.  You have a point.  However, I am glad I didn't do the work myself, as I was going to head up and pick up the car tonight after work, but I called and made sure it was getting done and they told me some news...

Getting the header off was a bit harder than expected.  Seems like some of the bolts were missing, and the rest broke while trying to get them out.  Seems that this is the first time in 41 years that the headers have come off the engine since it was assembled in January of 1968.  Gaskets were dry rotted and shot, bolts were rusted, missing, and impossible to get out.

But alas, they did get it them all out, they have the new header on, new mufflers hanging and they were fabricating the dual exhaust (see, they don't make a "dual exhaust setup" for my engine/car) when I called up there earlier today.  I wanted to get the car in a nice running condition to where I can drive it and have fun doing so while I am building out the new engine/trans/rear/suspension..  etc.

So hopefully things will be done soon.


Please leave comments below.

Fix for the Mustang

For anyone who was wondering, the Mustang was fixed by putting a new starter and cables on it.  The starter bench-tested good, (meaning it spun when power was applied) but wasn't strong enough to turn the flywheel.  When you put it on the bench next to a brand new starter, the new starter turned about twice as fast.

While the car was up at that shop, I had them put a new header on it, dual exhaust with dual flowmaster mufflers.  I would have done it myself, except that I don't have a mandrel bender, and the don't make an exhaust kit for my car.  I don't have experience in welding, so I wanted it done right.


Please leave comments below.

Fix for the Mustang

For anyone who was wondering, the Mustang was fixed by putting a new starter and cables on it.  The starter bench-tested good, (meaning it spun when power was applied) but wasn't strong enough to turn the flywheel.  When you put it on the bench next to a brand new starter, the new starter turned about twice as fast.

While the car was up at that shop, I had them put a new header on it, dual exhaust with dual flowmaster mufflers.  I would have done it myself, except that I don't have a mandrel bender, and the don't make an exhaust kit for my car.  I don't have experience in welding, so I wanted it done right.


Please leave comments below.

Well, it's broken down for now (the Mustang that is)

This past weekend I went up the Hershey AACA car show in Hershey, PA.  In my Mustang...

......and got to Lancaster, PA. Car died at a Gas station and wouldn't restart.

Tried to jump it, one click, nothing.

Had it towed to Pep Boys (hey, it's Lancaster) and wound up troubleshooting most of the car myself. They eventually just gave me their multimeter and equipment and I started diagnosing.  After they tested the battery, there were three guys standing there looking at the engine with their hands on their hips and I said: "So what's the deal guys?"

Their response: "I have no idea".  So I basically wound up trying to fix it myself, at Pep Boys.

Replaced the Starting Solenoid and cable to starter, that wasn't it.

Basically when you turn the key, the (starter?) clicks one time and the car doesn't start. All you get is an audible "click" and that's it. (Yes, the battery is good)

We pulled and bench tested the starter, and the guys there said it bench tested fine. So, not sure what to make of it at this point.

I don't think the engine's frozen, because I can do things like, put the car in reverse and walk up to the front of the car and turn the fan blade and the car will move backwards. (meaning I can turn the camshaft, meaning the pistons are moving, meaning not frozen?)

So, Saturday morning I had it towed up to a custom Mustang shop in Harrisburg. They were taking a look at it.

Nothing worse than parking your RENTAL car at a car show, walking across the street to the car show, and YOUR car goes by on the flatbed and everyone stops in the middle of the crosswalk to take a picture.

So, enjoy a picture of my car on the flatbed. (being hauled away from Pep Boys :)

Please leave comments below.

Well, it's broken down for now (the Mustang that is)

This past weekend I went up the Hershey AACA car show in Hershey, PA.  In my Mustang...

......and got to Lancaster, PA. Car died at a Gas station and wouldn't restart.

Tried to jump it, one click, nothing.

Had it towed to Pep Boys (hey, it's Lancaster) and wound up troubleshooting most of the car myself. They eventually just gave me their multimeter and equipment and I started diagnosing.  After they tested the battery, there were three guys standing there looking at the engine with their hands on their hips and I said: "So what's the deal guys?"

Their response: "I have no idea".  So I basically wound up trying to fix it myself, at Pep Boys.

Replaced the Starting Solenoid and cable to starter, that wasn't it.

Basically when you turn the key, the (starter?) clicks one time and the car doesn't start. All you get is an audible "click" and that's it. (Yes, the battery is good)

We pulled and bench tested the starter, and the guys there said it bench tested fine. So, not sure what to make of it at this point.

I don't think the engine's frozen, because I can do things like, put the car in reverse and walk up to the front of the car and turn the fan blade and the car will move backwards. (meaning I can turn the camshaft, meaning the pistons are moving, meaning not frozen?)

So, Saturday morning I had it towed up to a custom Mustang shop in Harrisburg. They were taking a look at it.

Nothing worse than parking your RENTAL car at a car show, walking across the street to the car show, and YOUR car goes by on the flatbed and everyone stops in the middle of the crosswalk to take a picture.

So, enjoy a picture of my car on the flatbed. (being hauled away from Pep Boys :)

Please leave comments below.

I bought something new...

Usually you read my blog for my long diatribes on Microsoft or something else that annoys me. OR Email, OR Apple, OR security

Today, bit different. This past weekend, I was driving down the street and I passed this guys house, now, this guy is one of those people that buys a car, fixes it up, and resells it for a modest profit, he does it mostly for fun, and really, not that INTENSE fixing car up kinda stuff, just get it running, or maybe just to sell it, as is, for a meager profit. So this guy always has some kind of car sitting out front.

The other day I drove past, he had a 66 Mustang, a Galaxie 500, another green mustang (67 I think), and this beauty.

I convinced my wife to stop and look at it, and after we saw it, saw the condition, we bought it. Not the original color, but it's a nice one. I am going to go pick it up tonight.

I bought something new...

Usually you read my blog for my long diatribes on Microsoft or something else that annoys me. OR Email, OR Apple, OR security

Today, bit different. This past weekend, I was driving down the street and I passed this guys house, now, this guy is one of those people that buys a car, fixes it up, and resells it for a modest profit, he does it mostly for fun, and really, not that INTENSE fixing car up kinda stuff, just get it running, or maybe just to sell it, as is, for a meager profit. So this guy always has some kind of car sitting out front.

The other day I drove past, he had a 66 Mustang, a Galaxie 500, another green mustang (67 I think), and this beauty.

I convinced my wife to stop and look at it, and after we saw it, saw the condition, we bought it. Not the original color, but it's a nice one. I am going to go pick it up tonight.