Even though the GT equipment groupintroduced in 1965 was again available fora final year, it was overshadowed for 1969,as the hot ticket was an all-new Mach 1model – wearing the name borrowed fromthose radical recent Mustang show cars.The new Mustang Mach 1 came standardwith the 351, a desirable mix of appearanceenhancements, plus special reflectivebodyside stripes and an uplevel interior.Later, a flat-black rear decklid spoiler anda set of rear window louvers were addedas dress-up options. To many enthusiaststoday, a ’69 Mach 1 equipped with anoptional new-for-’69 428 Cobra Jet V-8 isthe first true Mustang muscle car and atop-shelf collectible.
Other than yet another front-endfreshening (including going back to justtwo headlamps and adding non-functionaloutboard air inlets) and the elimination ofthe side scoops, the biggest change to the1970 Mustang lineup was a move to theCleveland-design 351 V-8 over the Windsor351 version from the year before. The GTmodel was dropped in the face of theMach 1's popularity, but the 428CJ engineoption was again available across theboard. By 1971, Ford’s famedfirst-generation pony car had alreadyundergone its fourth major facelift, growingin every dimension to accommodate evenbigger engines. The ’71 Mustang featuredan extended nose with a body that waswider, close to a foot longer and around600 pounds heavier than the original. TheSportsRoof-only Mach 1 model was nowFord's bread-and-butter enthusiast model,especially with the optional new big-block429 Cobra Jet engine, good for 370horsepower.
There were only minor changes on tap forMustang in 1972 and ’73, most of themdealing with the options list and thecontinuing emasculation of engineofferings and horsepower in the face ofemissions and fuel economy regulations,
as well as the elimination of a convertible.The automotive performance world sooncame to a screeching halt in the wake ofan oil embargo and resulting gasshortages, forcing most Americans toabandon their muscle cars andV-8-powered rides in favor of smaller,more fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford saw themarket shift as the perfect time to returnits pony car to its roots – a compact,affordable, sporty car whose styling andimage captured the spirit and imaginationof the American public.
When the new-from-the-ground-up,second-generation Mustang II waslaunched for the 1974 model year, it wasthe first Mustang equipped with afour-cylinder engine. An all-new 2.3-literI-4 produced around 90 horses as thestandard powerplant for the downsizedMustang II - yet performance was roughlyequivalent to the previous Mustang’s biginline six. The Mustang II was available asa hardtop two-door notchback coupe or athree-door hatchback-style fastback.Buyers had a choice of either I-4 or V-6power, as well as a three-speed automaticor four-speed manual transmissions. Tokeep Mustang’s performance image goingeven in a world where consumers favoredfuel economy over horsepower, anenthusiast-focused Mustang II Mach 1model was offered as a three-doorhatchback-style fastback, replete withbucket seats.
There’s little question that the saving gracefor the Mustang II’s performancereputation came when Ford finally realizedit needed to put the 302 V-8 back onto theMustang option list for 1975-78. The V-8was available in any model, but first onlymated to a three-speed automatictransmission, as a four-speed manual wasdelayed a full year until a suitable clutchcould be tooled up. The two-barrel 302shoehorned into the Mustang II gotcatalytic converters to help meet 1976’s
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2023 Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-11-2022, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingIntroduction
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
Minimum.A
Nominal.B
Maximum.C
ENGINE OIL CHECK
1.Make sure that your vehicle is on levelground.
2.Check the oil level before starting theengine, or switch the engine off afterwarm up and wait 15 minutes for theoil to drain into the oil pan.
Note:Checking the oil level too soon couldresult in an inaccurate reading.
3.Remove the dipstick and wipe it witha clean, lint-free cloth.
4.Reinstall the dipstick and make sure itis fully seated.
5.Remove the dipstick again to check theoil level.
Note: If the oil level is between themaximum and minimum marks, the oil levelis acceptable. Do not add oil.
6.If the oil level is at the minimum mark,immediately add oil.
7.Reinstall the dipstick. Make sure it isfully seated.
Note:The oil consumption of new enginesreaches its normal level after approximately3,000 mi (5,000 km).
Note:Increases in oil level can occur fromfrequent short trips that do not allow theengine to get to operating temperature, aswell as frequent idling or low speed drivingfor long periods of time.
Note:If oil levels are continuously notedabove the maximum mark, schedule a visitto your authorized dealer.
Adding Engine Oil
WARNING: Do not add engine oilwhen the engine is hot. Failure to followthis instruction could result in personalinjury.
WARNING: Do not remove the fillercap when the engine is running.
Do not use supplemental engine oiladditives because they are unnecessaryand could lead to engine damage that thevehicle warranty may not cover.
1.Clean the area surrounding the engineoil filler cap before you remove it.
2.Remove the engine oil filler cap.
3.Add engine oil that meets ourspecifications. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 337).
4.Reinstall the engine oil filler cap. Turnit clockwise until you feel a strongresistance.
Note: Do not add oil further than themaximum mark. Oil levels above themaximum mark may cause engine damage.
Note:Immediately soak up any oil spillagewith an absorbent cloth.
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2023 Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-11-2022, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingMaintenanceE270482
