Topic: jacking the car up

[mustangluver]

I have noticed that when i use my regular 2.5 jack to jack up my car, the tires almost get off the ground. my grandfather has said to put the jack on the frame under the car. i have noticed that it makes it heavier. ive looked in my manual to try n find the exact spot to place the jack n have yet to find it. also was wondering if there was a way to convert the carb back to manual or would that just be completly useless? i ask do to that ive noticed that it is harder to start in cold weather. i dont get to play with my toy often as id like sadly. also how would i go about making it easier to see over my front end? Thanx 

[66GTKFB]

I have noticed that when i use my regular 2.5 jack to jack up my car, the tires almost get off the ground. my grandfather has said to put the jack on the frame under the car. i have noticed that it makes it heavier. ive looked in my manual to try n find the exact spot to place the jack n have yet to find it. also was wondering if there was a way to convert the carb back to manual or would that just be completly useless? i ask do to that ive noticed that it is harder to start in cold weather. i dont get to play with my toy often as id like sadly. also how would i go about making it easier to see over my front end? Thanx 

What's a 2.5 jack?
Jacking the car by the lower 'A' arm in the front, or by the axle in the rear will lift the car. Lifting by the frame rails (which may dent the rails) or by the recomended spots on the pinch weld, will all lift the same way, mechanicaly. There's no big secret, the car weighs the same, it's a matter of leverage.
Your car appears to have an automatic choke. By your description of your problem, I wouuld say that you have a 40 year (plus) old choke and it needs to be cleaned.
Seeing over the front end. How tall are you? Has the foam in your seat bottoms collapsed? Have you adjusted the seat back more upright? You need to be a bit more specific. One of the things that buyers liked back when these cars were first introduced was the long hood. This may be something you need to live with.
Jim

[Soaring]

If you have the original jack with the notch at the top, then you use the rail right below the door to lift the car.  See picture.  If you are using a bottle or floor jack the car can be lifted where Jim specified.  Never use the frame rail because it is thin metal and you run the risk of punching a hole in it.  I am only 5'7" and I see over the hood on my 65 just fine.  Either you are very short, or your seat needs to be repaired. 

[mustangluver]

66,
the jack is a 2.5 ton. is there a picture or video i may veiw to see where specifically the A arm is. its mentioned in my manual as well. unfortunatley i dont have the jack the car came with.  on the choke, would i have to take the carb off? i presume it wouldnt hurt to switch back to the maunal choke? ive raised the back part of the seat. n not much help. thanx for the help

[66GTKFB]

The lower 'A' arm is about 20 inches long and it goes from a bracket on the underside of the frame about mid-section of the engine to the lower part of the front spindle. When you look at the undercarriage of your car from the front, you will see one on each side.
There is no switching 'back' on a carburetor for a manual choke that came with an automatic one. I don't know of any complete kit, possibly in a Shelby related catalog, although the choke cable and bracket has been reproduced for a while. I'm willing to bet that even with a manual choke, you will still have problems starting, just a WAG. If it's a 2 barrel, talk to Glen (Soaring) as he rebuilts carbs. He can do 4 barrels as well.
Jim

[mustangluver]

the choke was manual but was changed to auto. the carb was changed from two barrel to 4 barrel due to the two having to be rebuilt more than enough times. i think my uncle has it along with some other old parts that were taken n exchanged. i appreciate for the detailed description of where the A arm is. my biggest fear however is something bending sadly. i was wondering if i could get the number thats on the inner part fender under the hood on the left front side of the car restamped? if so would i need to take it to a dealership? thanx again.

[66GTKFB]

If you want to 'restamp' the VIN, go to Mexico. In this country. it's illegal.
The housings on manual choke carburetors and those that have automatic chokes are different and are not interchangable. You can 'kluge' one but it will be just that- a 'kluge'.
If anything 'bends' on your suspension, it would be the results of an accident. The only 'don't' is to raise the front end by the engine, either from the bottom (jack) or the top (lift).
Jim

[Soaring]

You can raise the front tires by putting the jack right under the bottom of the coil spring.  That the A arm that Jim was referring to.  Actually, that is the best place to put it, because all you have to do is compress the spring slightly to get the tire off the ground.  Loosen your lug nuts before you jack it up though. 

[mustangluver]

Glen,
wat of the back end?  i also read on another forum ur part of, is to raise it at the cross bar under the oil pan.

[66GTKFB]

Without being real nasty, don't ever get a flat tire.

[Soaring]

Glen,
wat of the back end?  i also read on another forum ur part of, is to raise it at the cross bar under the oil pan.

My membership there was a long time ago.  If you want to raise both front wheels, then yes jack it up from the cross bar.  If you want to raise both the back wheels, then jack it from the differential. 
This is not rocket science, use your brain. 

[mustangluver]

hey all im doin is making sure so i dont end up having to pay xtra money in repairs. thanx though

[Soaring]

You won't need to be making any repairs if you lift the front end by the cross bar and the rear from the pumpkin.  But, if you only want to raise one tire at a time, then follow the directions we have already given. 

[mustangluver]

thanx. ive heard from a friend of mine that i can get a manual carb kit n that the engine has less issues with manual. just want to confirm its truth.

[66GTKFB]

thanx. ive heard from a friend of mine that i can get a manual carb kit n that the engine has less issues with manual. just want to confirm its truth.

Get a new friend. I have a factory manual choke equipped car and I seldom use it. The "seldom" is mainly for starting. If I let the car warm up while the manual choke is on, the engine 'loads' up. My two other Mustangs are 'A' code cars with automatic chokes and they work fine. Get your automatic choke fixed.
Jim

[Soaring]

Yeah, manual chokes are a pain in the ass.  If you don't want to get an automatic choke, then go for an electric one.