That is so awesome! Your dad sounds really cool like mine, who helped me rebuild the engine - a 302 that I pulled out after blowing the engine drag racing (not officially or anything, just showing off for a girl) and had it soaked in acid, bored 0.0030 and machined, and bought new pistons, rings, lifters, heads, gaskets and a Crane fireball full lift crankshaft with a new Holley 4bbl carburetor. The entire bill from Honest Charlie’s machine shop was just over $400! But that was a lot of money in 1982 for a 17 year old, but I always worked at part time jobs and saved enough money to have had also purchased an engine hoist and stand, as well as the complete Chilton’s manual showing step by step directions with photos, schematics and torquing patterns and specs. Way before the internet or Goggle. Back then with no AC and manual brakes that car had one belt and two vacuum lines. It was essentially a matter of having a full set of mechanics tools, a dry place to garage for a minute, and methodically bagging and labeling everything- every nut, bolt and kotter pin - for when it was time put it all back together. Easy as baking a great big really heavy cake over a period of a couple of months.there happened to be a Mustang shop about 30 minutes away and I was able to find certain parts like turn signal arm and center dash speaker.
One of the 3” head bolts actually broke off in the engine block while we were disassembling, which presented an interesting situation. I was able to extract the broken bolt but could only locate an aluminum bolt that fit, and debated on using it instead of the factory case hardened steel, the concern being heat resistance.
The beefed up engine unfortunately was too much for the underwhelming Ford C-4 transmission which quickly gave up the ghost from the strain of unbridled raw power under such a heavy unrelenting foot. The choice was to replace the C4 and return the camshaft to factory, or leave the full lift cam and upgrade the transmission to the beefier C6, which would cost about double.
I had already spent so much hard earned money and precious time, and there were drums to buy, music to play and girls to date too! I really don’t know how I managed to find time to do and pay for everything. My folks must’ve chipped in somewhere along the line lol. I was very fortunate and didn’t appreciate it very much at the time.
The car in the photo looks identical to my ride back in the mid 80’s (except mine wasn’t a 429 Boss, damn it!).
ps I think you would have almost definitely taken me in 1/4 mile before my rebuild…