Hey guys, I've had a 65 mustang sittin in my garage since i was 7 (13 years) and im finally gettin the money together to rebuild it... it currently has a straight 6 cyl with a 3 spd manual trans. im lookin for something more powerful, but dont know too much about ford motors. whats the biggesti could go? what should i go for and what kind of power am i looking at? and finally how much would a typical engine swap cost...any help would be appreciated!!

 

Check the FAQ's, there is a section on I6 to V8 swaps, but your going to find that its not an easy or cheap changeover. It's not just a one out , one in deal. You'll need to upgrade the suspention to accept the heavier engine. And probally the rear end will need to be upgraded for the extra HP. I would suggest that you restore this car to original if possible and look for a better candidate for the power you want.

 

Either sell the car and get an original V8 car or restore then sell and do the same thing.It would beton and a half of work to convert.

 

Well reasonable folks can disagree. You will probably see lots of opinions on this issue. Below I will present my own. Many (or most) of the other opinions you will get will be to "sell the 6 and get a V-8", this quick one shot answer bothers me. If your 6 is not in really good shape I will agree with them, however, if your 6 is in good shape, you will be in a much better position that many, many, of the V-8 mustangs I have seen posted on this forum.

I am in process of this swap right now, I am doing a lot of upgrades at the same time. The chasis is done, and I am waiting on parts toupdate the engine now. The biggest practical engine swap for a 65 is a 351. This is what me and my son are doing although we are stroking it to a 408.

There is a FAQ on this in this section it will be helpfull in regard to many of the parts you will need, but IMO the tennor of it isanti-swap. There is a current thread where a forum member has everything that you would need to make the swap (stock for stock) for sale. (289, C-4, rear axle, front suspension parts).

It is my opinion that if you have a good to excellent I-6 that will not need a big investment in rust repair and/or body work, that the swap is a very viable alternative.

If you are still interested I can provide more info on what we have done and cheaper alternatives.

A while back Istarted a thread called "I-6to V-8 It's not hard" where I voiced my opinions pretty much in total, it had several postings, but itseems to be burried as it does not show in thesection with the threads aranged by number of postings. (IMO a result of me pissing ofa moderator, and a few others)

 

it isnt really hard most are cheap you replace the springs brakes rear end engine trannys radaitor driveshaft shifter and some small odd things. my 68 started its life as a inline 6 someone converted it before i bought it was a 302 2barrel when i got it. but it didnt matter to me i just wanted one with a good straight body rest i could order and did. how much power you looking for either a 302 or 351 should make more then enough built right.

 

As far as suspension goes, it needs to be completly redone as it is now... I would love goin for a 351. How much would u expect it to cost minus the suspension and brakes??

 

Check out my website below for some ideas. Mine started life as an I-6. Focus on suspension, steering and brakes first, then engine/transmission.

Figure out what you want to do with the car first, then plan your path. Will it be a daily driver, a weekend driver, weekend racer, etc...

Spend the first 6 months just making your plans...as suspension, steering, brakes, rear end, motor and trans all play together in a give and take decision making process.

 

You are a 20 year old kid with very little wrenching experience and probably no money in savings. Are you sure you want to tackle this massive project? It just wrenches my gut to see projects started, then when either funds orpatience runs out, the project is abandoned. Getyour priorities straight from the get-go. We all wish you the best of luck, but do you really know what you are doing?

 

There are alot of people who just shoot out to sell and buy a v8 with no regard to what you have or plan for the car, If you have it and has some kind on sentimental value (which I'm guessing maybe the case since you've had the car since you were 7) or you are like me and its the body style you've always wanted and will not ever sell it, go for the swap its not that hard but it can be coatly, but if you find a v8 car alot of the same parts will most likely need to be replaced anyways. I spent about $2000 on the front end on mine but I did a few upgrades when I did it the rearend was put in by a PO so that was done when I got it. I do plan on changing it out for a carrie 9" when I go back though it, which will be about another $2000. As for an engine there are several ways to get that I plan on getting a 347 crate engine from the shop I work at I will post the website for you . A 351 in your 65 will be a tight fit just changing the spark plugs will be a job but it is very do abul the motor mounts are the same as a 289 and 302. the only hard part of that is getting headers to fit. Check the FAQ there is alot of info in there about the swap. Heres the website. you can email me or call me a the shop if you have any questions. http://tandlengines.com/

Mike

 

Thanks guys, u've been alot of help.. and as for Soaring, i asked for help, not to get crap for my age. i have plenty of money in the bank, and dont worry about my wrentching experience, i have a fair amount. and i've had the car for 13 years, you really think im going to abandon it? gimme a break...

It would mainly be a weekend driver, and the occasional hr and a half drive to philadelphia.. has anyone actually done the swap that could give me an estimated price??

And is there anyone who knows anything of the strength of the I-6 as far as hp capabilities...if they are decent any alternatives to greatly adding power to that slug?