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65-66 Mustang 390 Swap?
Has anyone attemped to put a FE in the first generation Mustangs (64-66?)
Is the amount of work involved worth it, or would I be better off going with a 351 stroker? Are there any magazine articles that have done something like this? I would like to do something like this to make it a Street/Drag car, probably with a 390 and 4.11's. I would like to have a big block, but if there is way too much work involved, I think I can live with a 351 stroked to a 408/418. I know that the 67-68 will take an FE, but for the most part most of the early Mustangs are 65-66 in this area. Any help/advice is appreciated, thanks. |
Mike,
The 65/66 Mustangs would require quite a bit of slashing and work. Shock towers are close and would have to be cut or modified among other things. However if this is just to be a drag car and not street driven, you can do it. I think the motor mounts would have to be re-done also and probably some extra bracing as those cars weren't designed for all the torque and power of the big block. Ron %/ |
I went with a 1968 coup. Much less slashing...
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As already stated, the 65-66 Mustang engine compartment will require major surgery in order to fit the 390 into it. A reworking of the shock towers will most certainly be the first thing that must be done, not something for those without at least 5-10 years worth of engineering and welding under their belt..........
Bill S. |
What's up Mikie....you not going the Cobra route anymore? Mustang in your future?
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Blykins- The Cobra will come, eventually. The Mustang will just be my daily driver/toy until I can afford one without getting a loan. I WILL have one someday, until then...
I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for a 67-68. |
Mike,
Remove the old Mustang suspension and go with a Must. II setup. Should open up plenty of room |
Mike,
Go with a '67 or '68. You can fit a 429CJ in there if you want. Just get your girl friend to slap it in there for ya like I did. Got to train 'em early! http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ang429-med.jpg |
Steve, how'd you talk her in to that one?:LOL: ;)
Thanks for all of the info!!!:) |
The Mustangs are nose heavy to start with, why would you want to make it worse. It seems like a lot of work to impress the gang at the car shows/cruise nights because at the drag strip you ain't gonna impress anybody.
I can certainly understand the FE in the Cobra but today's small blocks ar a much better engine than the early Mustang small blocks and the 400 ci small blocks are FE killers. You also won't have to butcher the car to fit it in. Good luck anyway. RD |
Mike,
It is quite a challenge,but one worth while.I've seen two fe gen one mustangs not counting gas rondas cammer which could hardly be called a mustang.It had under arm leave springs and extreme set back to make it work. Putting an fe in a 65 or 66 is basicly like building a thunderbolt from a 64 fairlane,,it can be done but not for the novice and headers look like pasta. good luck,,T |
Mike: I had a '65 coupe woth a 351 Cleveland/toploader combo. I had a frame shop professionally cut back the shock towers, and re-weld new steel in there. Even then, changing the plugs was by the "Braille" method, and took over an hour to do.
You will save yourself a LOT of headaches if you START with a '67 or a '68 Mustang. If you still desire a '65 or '66 Mustang, go with the 351 W, and build it to your heart's content!! |
FE into 1st generation Mustang, yes it
CAN be done, but not easily. As others have mentioned, it requires sectioning/moving the spring/shock towers outboard to widen the engine bay. The other method is to simply replace the entire front suspension setup with a "Mustang II" setup where a coil over shock acts on the lower "A" arm and the "towers" aren't needed. This mod has been done quite a few times to shoehorn large engines into early Falcons and Mustangs. Just bear in mind that it will take a fair degree of fab work to pull it off. A 67-68 "2nd generation" car would be a much better choice, reasonably plentiful although you may have to deal with the rust that they were prone to, but FE's bolt right in. .....Fred |
I did a 427 Tunnelport in one .. WAYYYYYY to much work now with small blocks putting out more power !!:D
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I agree with Edley, get a 351W stroker with about 550 HP, hook it up to a TKO 5 speed and go terrorize the neighborhood.
Plus, you can get your hands in it to change plugs or whatever else you need. Roush, Keith Craft, RDI are just a few engine sources. just my 2 cents Mark |
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