My wife got a Ford

[Matt_50]

My wife now understands why I always want to work on my Chevy. She now has a 66 mustang that needs an engine (only has a trans). I do not know as much about ford engines as I do chevy so do we have anyone on here who has had a ford project?

The mustang has an auto trans, v8 engine mounts and factory 5 lug drums. Vin is c code. Came with a 289 right? That's practically a 302?


I don't know the differences over the years.

When looking for engines what years are best?

[mongocanfly]

LS....wink wink..grin.......

[In The Ten Ring]

I thought this would be a joke thread about "reasons for a divorce."

I'd suggest joining a Ford or Mustang forum, I'm sure those exist. Good luck on the project, I once tried to buy a 1969 Fairlane fastback with a 390.

The Mustang is an iconic car and deserves respect. I hope your wife and you can work together on this project and have great success.

[Matt_50]

She's looking forward to it and it looks like I might get more truck time lol.

[special-K]

The 289, 302, and 351 are Ford small blocks (earlier 260, too) same as Chevy 265-400. Same footprint.

[Jim Mothershead]

Originally Posted by Matt_50

My wife now understands why I always want to work on my Chevy. She now has a 66 mustang that needs an engine (only has a trans). I do not know as much about ford engines as I do chevy so do we have anyone on here who has had a ford project?

The mustang has an auto trans, v8 engine mounts and factory 5 lug drums. Vin is c code. Came with a 289 right? That's practically a 302?


I don't know the differences over the years.

When looking for engines what years are best?

No problem = crate ZZ4 Chevy 350

[Jim Mothershead]

I need a good photo of a 1966 C-10 VIN plate.
Thanx Jim 410 474 2244

[special-K]

Hey Jim, welcome to the board from another Marylander. I assume you are from MD by your area code. I took your e-mail out because it showed as a link and being your first two posts and one being totally off topic I doubt any members here would trust clicking it anyway. And why not post your request in the 60-66 message board where it would get the best response? I can move it for you if you'd like.

My first thoughts were they make adapters for that. But this is no joking matter. I fear for your marriage. Sounds like you are growing apart

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by Matt_50

The mustang has an auto trans, v8 engine mounts and factory 5 lug drums. Vin is c code. Came with a 289 right? That's practically a 302?

I'd slap another 289 in there. But I would think 302's are easier to find and could be bought cheaper. Both can be built for whatever you want They are practically the same. 351's are bigger/heavier and may require some surgery to get in. My brother in law had to cut his shock towers to squeeze one in a 63 Fairlane.

I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend, and how long she wants to wait to get rolling.

And keep in mind that you will probably have to upgrade the brakes. I put Wilwood disc's all the way around on mine. You need to be able to slow that pony down if you put in a lot of power.

[flashed]

I think a Coyote Transplant would be cool in that Mtang . Mtang was the license plate on my buddies 70 Mach One way back when.

[3drburb]

Late 80s or early 90s Mustang engine and trans. If you can find one cheap enough.

[briank]

Ive owned a ton of mustangs and a c code would have been a 200 hp 289 if I remember correctly. They had a a code which was 225 hp ( I think) but I do remember the top dog in 66 being a K code 271 hp engine. In 67 ford changed body style slightly but they offered 390 which was a dog...I think 335 hp. Also offered a K code which is super rare in 67. Anyways...a 289 or 302 would plunk right in and be a fun choice for her. One thing about Fords though is that they have different engine families and parts do not interchange...can be a pain sometimes.

[Boog]

Look for member 67chevyredneck. I think Jesse has a 65 or 66 mustang too and could be of help.

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by flashed

I think a Coyote Transplant would be cool in that Mtang . Mtang was the license plate on my buddies 70 Mach One way back when.

Those swaps have been done on a couple of Car shows, neither were anywhere close to easy. 302 firds are a dime adozen, but are NOT all completely alike...351W would be my choice if possible.

[Wyo George]

The easiest, cheapest donor would be to grab a 302 out of a full size Ford car from the late 80's or early 90's. Something like a crown vic, mercury grand marquis, or Lincoln. Then you'll have a factory roller cam engine to build from. You could keep the EFI, or ditch it and build a nice little smallblock that would go great in the mustang. If you want performance EFI then go with the later years of 5.0 mustang. The early EFI 5.0 mustang is a speed density type as are the full sized cars, but the later 5.0 is a MAF style and responds much, much better to mods.

[cypressbog]

Originally Posted by briank

Ive owned a ton of mustangs and a c code would have been a 200 hp 289 if I remember correctly. They had a a code which was 225 hp ( I think) but I do remember the top dog in 66 being a K code 271 hp engine. Anyways...a 289 or 302 would plunk right in and be a fun choice for her.

I second what Briank said. I've owned 2 - 65's (both 6 cyl), I had a 66 and a 67 with a 289 C-code (2 barrel). Drop a small block in and go!

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Boog

Look for member 67chevyredneck. I think Jesse has a 65 or 66 mustang too and could be of help.

I've had my 65 for 6 years. It's been on 4 Hot Rod Power Tours for a total of over 10K miles touring the US. It's a fun car.

As mentioned above a 289/302 (flat tappet) are the same motor, Ford made the switch in mid/late year 67 (or was it 68?).

Also as stated above, all 302's are NOT the same. The flat tappet cam 302 is pretty much a 289. A 289 has a different crank and heads to make it a 289. My car actually has an early 70's 302 "block" but was made into a 289 with the crank and heads. The later 302's (like in the fox cars) are "roller cam" motors and very few parts/accessories off the older motors swap, BUT they are a direct fit as well, you just need the whole package with a new radiator (lower inlet will be on wrong side). They also use a different imbalance flywheel, etc. I'm not a Ford engine expert by any means, but those are a few of the things I've picked up on over the years.

I highly recommend an edelbrock performer intake and summit racing carb, REALLY woke my car up from the stock 2 barrel set up.

I have a build thread with a ton of stuff I did to my car in my signature below.

This is absolutely THE BEST forum for vintage mustangs:

https://forums.vintage-mustang.com/v...mustang-forum/

[Matt_50]

Thanks for the input. So far I've been finding same info. Not sure if I'll keep efi or not, but late 80s early 90s seems to be what pops up a lot. I'm not clear on a couple things yet.

Roller cam is more desirable?

AOD trans of same years can be hooked up to carburetor? But newer ones cant?

I've run across people who did a 5.0 swap but has to drill and move dipstick. What years is this a problem?

[67ChevyRedneck]

That's the detail stuff I never got into... as I still have a flat tappet 289 in my car.

I also installed a T5 - 5 Spd in my car out of a late model (mid 90's) Mustang.

I'd say roller cams are more "reliable." Flat tappet cams can wear out and if you don't use oil with zinc you can wipe one out (same with a flat tappet GM small block.)

I can't help with the AOD stuff either, I briefly looked into it and decided I wanted a manual instead (my car had a 3 spd C4 automatic when I got it.)

Check out that forum I posted... TONS of good info there! I'm "65 Pony" on there and I did a thread on a 3 point seatbelt install which I HIGHLY recommend

https://forums.vintage-mustang.com/v...t-install.html

[Matt_50]

Thanks for the link, I joined it and one or two others with same username. I'm hoping to find another awesome forum like this one.