I meant to post this photo a while back. It's an image of the idler/tensioner pulley from Project T-top Coupe's Paxton Novi 2000, its absolutely demolished center bearing and scored stand-off post.

This is one of those problems that you discover purely by accident. I spotted it while I was in the process of prepping the project Mustang LX for a major dyno test (which you'll read about in the April '12 issue of 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords), and it really amplifies the lesson: Make sure you periodically inspect EVERYTHING on your Mustang, especially before running it on the dyno or racing it at the track.

As our Facebook followers are already aware, T-top Coupe is back and running strong. A shout of thanks goes to our friend, Dave Rifkin of Simi Valley Hot Rods, who rebuilt the damaged pulley and kept us on schedule for our very important dyno session.

Yes, dyno data has been recorded. And if you recall, we were on a mission to hopefully see the T-top 'Stang post 1,000 or more horsepower at the rear wheels.

Did it happen? Do you have any guesstimates on how close...or not so close Couptie came to making a grand at the feet?

Let us know what you think, and make sure you check out our April issue for the official word!