NextgenMuscleHead

Hey all,

I have a 1966 Mustang 2 door coupe with a factory straight 6 200 and C4 "cruise 'o matic" 3 speed automatic trans. Thinking about changing up the engine, including swaps, boring, etc. Anyone got recommendations? Sorry...this one isn't getting a BBF or maybe not even a V8. 4 lug wheels and soft shocks would have to be replaced. Feel free to suggest any ideas. Just want to get some more performance while retaining a stockish appearance (such as putting in a 250 straight 6 etc). Just wanted to see if there were other options i hadn't considered and any advice. I realize i could beef up the 200 with a cam and whatnot. Looking for alternatives to that.

Thanks a ton,

Connor

barnett468

hello, nit sure exactly what your question is.

you can install a 289, 302 or pre 72 351 windsor.

you can leave your suspension stock and likely never have a prob except fdor poor braking but i would not recommend it. high hp requires stiffer suspension.

a 200 is a slug. a beefed up 200 is a slug you just spent a binch of time and money on to make it go just a hair faster.

if you want a 200 with v8 performance it will cost around $5,000.00.

your biggest prob is rear gear ratios you need the 3.23 to get decent acceleration and you must buy used ones for a 6 cyl and they are very rare.
..

Al Newman

The I6 is what it is and IMHO cannot become a horsepower monster economically. Changing to a V8 requires a substantial change in suspension in addition to the engine, itself. The 351W option mentioned, while doable, is not a good choice for your engine bay, but any 289-302-5.0 or derivitive thereof is ideal, but the suspension changes are really mandatory for safety and reliability.

NextgenMuscleHead

Not wanting gobs of horsepower, but thanks for the advice. My car has a 3.20 rear so not bad i guess. What are everyone's thoughts about swapping straight 6's to a 250 or 300? Provided they fit which apparently they can.

woodvette

i have heard the weight of a 300 is too much for the suspension. at that point you may as well do a V8. maybe just get a V8 car with everything already there.

bop11

Simplest is to drop in a post '86 carburetored 302 from a Ford truck. If you want fuel injections, get an after market system which doesn't require all the sensor connections. Front suspension can be redone for as low as $400 for new parts and get the disc front brakes from a 68. Any money leftover put in a 4 speed. You can go from there with cams in intakes and all sorts of goodies.

barnett468

i think the 250 or maybe 300 is either too long or too tall.

if you can get either in, the 300 would be best.

you will still need stiffer springs at the very least.

these engine also have low compression. if you run 91 - 93 octane, you can mill the cyl head a little to get it up.

buy a slightly bigger cam and run the big 1100 carb and a header with the center exhaust port divider and there you go.
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fastbackford351

I love the 200 / 250 I6. They run like sewing machines and can get killer gas mileage. I'd just freshen it up, put an electronic ignition setup in it and continue to march.

NextgenMuscleHead

Thanks man. Thinking of doing that. Something like a 2 barrel carb/intake, 250 head, better exhaust header, etc. Curious if anyone has found an easy fix to some potential throttle linkage issues with the aftermarket header?

Al Newman

In my experience, the 250 will not fit comfortably into the 1965-66 Mustang engine bay. Also, it gives the power of a 6 cylinder with the economy of a V8. I would avoid the 250, personally.
Best,
Al