Mustang Engine Decisions??

[gcburdic]

Hey Guys,

I'm restoring my mother's 66 Mustang coupe and started looking engines....Currently the car is a 6 cylinder...I'm going to swap in a V8.....

I've been all over CL and to a couple local cruise-ins talking to folks about finding one....

It will be rebuilt no matter what.....

Here's my options....

1. Craigslist I found a 68 302 w/ C4 tranny believed to be all original. The guy selling it seems to know most of it's history and said it ran when he bought the stang and put it on his trailer and he moved it around his yard for 10 years before finally deciding to sell it.....it's out of the car...unknown mileage....wants $500 for everything

2. Local cruise guy has 4 motors.....he has 2-302's, a 289, and a 302 w/ Windsor roller rocker heads....all of them he has history with....one 302 smoked before removed unknown miles wants $150, the other 302 came out of a 70's truck unknown mileage $150, the 302 w/ windsor heads he wants $500, and the 289 he wants $150.....

So should I go for the CL engine of one of these engines from the cruise in guy??

[BarryB]

I've got a 302 Dad and I rebuilt awhile back. about 20,000 on it. I'd take 500 for it. It would have to have a carb intake for it, it was in a 84 Tbird that was TBI. It ran great. Mom drove it for awhile until something cam loose in the rearend and grenaded the rear diff.

[67ChevyRedneck]

fox mustang 5.0L/5spd

[screamin_c10]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

fox mustang 5.0L/5spd

I agree, and keep the injection it is sooooo worth it! check my sig.....

[JohnC]

Saw a 65 Mustang at a show last year that had a newer 4.6L in it. Depends on what direction you want to go with the car. I like the idea of the 5.0, or 4.6 swap in them.

[67ChevyRedneck]

There's a local guy with a black 67 drop top that comes to all the local shows. I talked with him a couple times. He put a 90's 5.0L/5spd in his car. He said he did it like 10 years ago and even drove the car to vegas and back with his son. Kinda cool.

I also worked with a guy back in 2004 that had a 65 or 66 that him 'n his dad installed a 90's 5.0/5spd in. I actually road in it a few times. Very cool car. He said he got about 16 around town and about 22 on the highway. Sounds good to me. I actually could have bought that car for 5K too The body was a little banged up but very solid.

[britnjc]

Originally Posted by JohnC

Saw a 65 Mustang at a show last year that had a newer 4.6L in it. Depends on what direction you want to go with the car. I like the idea of the 5.0, or 4.6 swap in them.

which car show was you at?

[33shooter]

I have a thing for late model fuel injected engines. I suggest you get a 4.6L or something else to put in there. If there is room, find a Lincoln Navigator motor. It's a DOHC 5.4 that has a lot of potential. Or, look for a Mach 1 motor from a 03-04 model. Those have 10:1 compression, DOHC 4.6, and roughly 310hp 310lbs. 4.6L/5.4L stuff gets expensive fast, so money could be an issue. Stay away from any 4.6L stuff pre 1999. They will have the crappy heads that don't flow well even after they are worked. Any 4.6L out of a Mustang after 99 would work. But expect to put some money in it.

For cheap stuff, a 5.0 is good with the EFI. TONS of ways to build it, and make it work well. A good Vortech A trim or S/SQ trim blower will make that thing scream.

Or, if your a chevy guy, a LS motor swap. Personally I hate seeing Fords powered by Chevy but, its a good cheap alternative. I'm a Ford fan first, but I'm here cause I own a Chevy. I wouldn't want a Ford motor in my Chevy and vise versa. With that said, a 5.3/4l60e would run less than 1500 complete if you look around.

[bluex]

Will a 4.6/5.4 fit between the shock towers? They are WIDE!!!!

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by britnjc

which car show was you at?

It was the Mustang weekend in Eureka Springs, AR.

Originally Posted by bluex

Will a 4.6/5.4 fit between the shock towers? They are WIDE!!!!

There is a company, can't remember the name, that makes a kit that puts newer strut setups on the older Mustangs. It moves them to outside the engine compartment, and allows you to have a bigger area for an engine. Stacey David on Gearz is doing an early Cougar that they used it on. He put a 428 in it, and still has room on either side. That is also what the one that I saw with the 4.6L in it did. It's really a nice setup.

[33shooter]

Yup, john hit the nail on the head. It does require some extensive welding. Its a sweet setup, but not cheap. If you want to keep a stock configuration then a 5.0 is what you want. Stick that in with a procharger or vortech and it'll scream....but I love blowers on the 5.0

The amount of options you have are mind blowing.....
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[gcburdic]

Whew....my mind is spinning....thanks for the input folks!!! I'll continue to do my homework on engines....the budget is of course tight, so maybe a 5.0L or just go with the ol' 302 carb motor.....

As we all do we put the cart before the horse (nice pun, right!!!) I'm still tearing the 'stang down and should wait on motor decisions until I know exactly what sheetmetal work we'll have to do....

Got the front fenders, grill, hood off yesterday....of course the battery apron area is gone, but the front fenders are in great shape....got one small area on the driver side fender under the trim piece

[screamin_c10]

One thing you might consider...You can run a 5.0L carbed as well. It is basically a 302 with better internals. Throw an aftermarket intake/carb combo on it and worry about EFI down the road...

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Whew....my mind is spinning....thanks for the input folks!!! I'll continue to do my homework on engines....the budget is of course tight, so maybe a 5.0L or just go with the ol' 302 carb motor.....

As we all do we put the cart before the horse (nice pun, right!!!) I'm still tearing the 'stang down and should wait on motor decisions until I know exactly what sheetmetal work we'll have to do....

It never hurts to look ahead at future mods. That sometimes can save you some work up to that point. Just keep asking questions and opinions. Research research research, and don't forget pics!

[gcburdic]

Originally Posted by screamin_c10

One thing you might consider...You can run a 5.0L carbed as well. It is basically a 302 with better internals. Throw an aftermarket intake/carb combo on it and worry about EFI down the road...

Yep....thought about this too....Thanks for your input....!!!

Originally Posted by JohnC

It never hurts to look ahead at future mods. That sometimes can save you some work up to that point. Just keep asking questions and opinions. Research research research, and don't forget pics!

Oh so true....I get so far ahead of myself and budget sometimes...I have to pull my self back down to earth....check out my S-L-O-W build thread for pics and updates!!!

[Jonboy]

You might look into finding an 87-92 Lincoln Mark VII for a parts car, if you don't mind using an AOD. They are usually dirt cheap if there is an air suspension problem, and you might be able to recoup some of the bread parting the rest out.

[HeavyD]

For sure use a '85+ 302 HO, even if you run a carb on it. Roller cam and forged pistons from the factory make it too tempting to not use one.

[cdowns]

i'd go with that 68 302 mildly built to a 300-315hp area an overdrive tranny 340rear. my choice would b a 3-2 setup to run on the one 2brl most of the time but still have plenty of fun in reserve still on a highway drive will b near the mid20's gas mileage wise with plenty of WOW factor with the hood open