I've been searching for a good starting point for my resto-mod. I can find straight 6 cars all over but definitely want a small block. Is it worth it to buy a car with a 6 and convert it over, or would I be better off continuing my search for a good v8 car?

I found a 67 that had been completely prepped for paint (new floors, cowl, trunk, quarters, wheel houses, etc.) and a performance suspension (can't remember brand), no engine, tranny or interior, but it was $2500. As usual, I e-mailed him the day he sold it. (always a day late and a dollar short). I never saw the car in person, but from the ad pix, it looked real good.

My wife has given me the go ahead (as long as I get my Blazer project out of the garage), so I want to find a car pretty soon so she doesn't change her mind.

All opinions welcome.

 

Here is what Mustang Steve has to say about the swap now,,,, apparently changing his mind about his previously held anti-swap position...

http://members.boardhost.com/Mustang...171053741.html

I have a very similar position,,, if you start with a good straight relatively rust free car, and intend to upgrade a lot of the car anyway, it is a very viable procedure. IMO, cheaper, and for sure fasterthan starting with a lesser V-8 car.

And,,,, yep you will see plenty of opinions on this matter....

 

Geez, I wish I could find a 6 engine...I'm sorta the "other side" of the creek in that I like the 6s and modding them out.

so what I'm getting at is, buy a 6, convert it, and give me your 200ci

But really, I say buying a 6 is a lot cheaper than buying one with a V8, and it cheaper in the long run of converting it. Plus, you'll be using good new equipment (spindles and such) so you won't have to worry about replacing that (on a V8) if it needed replacing

 

Well, since I'm sure a disc swap would be in order (first), I know I'd get the 5 lug up front pretty easily. The rear may be harder to find, not sure yet. After that, what is left? Front springs I'm guessing, but what else? If that's all there is to it (aside from the engine and tranny, obviously) I'd be OK with finding a car with a 6 in it.

My first car was a 65 coupe with a straight 6 and 3 speed manual. I sold it within a year because I wasn't happy with the power. Now a days I know you can make a 6 haul a$$, but I have some kind of genetic problem where I can't stand the idea of a 6 cylinder. I know it's stupid but I know I'll always regret not putting in a V8 later if I don't.

Enough rambling on my part, lets hear some more opinions .......

 

Having done the swap in 2 forms I have this bit of advice. If you can get a cheep V8 pars car, and want to keep the suspension and steering basically stock than do the swap, but with out a parts car the swap can be very difficult because so much needs to be changed, and finding all the pieces can be both time consuming and expensive. As was already said on this thread, if you are going to replace every thing any way with aftermarket options than find the most solid 6 car you can and have fun. My 64.5 was a I6 car and back in 1999 I was able to get a complete 65 V8 parts car minus the glass that had been rolled for $300.00 (I really lucked out) and upgraded the car to the V8 components at that time. Over the last 7 years I have upgraded the original type V8 parts to a T5, R&P steering, Granada Disc brakes, and now the last piece of the V8 set up the 8" rear is being replaced with a Jag IRS unit SOOO had I not needed to get the car on the road back in 99, I could have swapped all this stuff once and been done with it.

 

All of the 6 cyl steering parts except the box need to be replaced, at least in theory (I ran the 6 cyl steering linkage with V8 spindles for several years and the only problem I had was dropping the oil pan when I removed my hi volume oil pump) The V8 steering parts are stronger so if you are going to run the car hard at all replace the I6 pars with the better V8 parts. You will also need to replace the trany or at least find a V8 bellhousing if the trans is a C4.

 

I've got a '67 that I'm almost done with the I6 to V8 swap. From the research I've come up with, there wasn't as much difference as I originally thought.

For instance, I don't think you have to replace any of the steering components. You can get away without replacing your front springs. (Now, you may want to get rid of 40 years of sag though.) And if you weren't going discs, you could buy a V8 backplate and drum kit (spindles are also same). Same rear leaf springs (different axle of course).

My only caveat is that the PO did the engine drop, so I'm not speaking first hand on that portion (as it relates to the steering linkage). Also much of my "research" is via parts catalogs. Appologies in advance for incorrectness.

 

Personally, I did not find the swap hard at all,, I worked around a lot of the issues by installing aftermarket replacements, (ie; R & P steering, new aftermarket motor mounts, new axle, TKO trans, etc..) On the 66 we did need to change the spindles, ($200.00 E-Bay)..

I don't think it is anything to be scared of,, it can be expensive though.....

 

I do agree that it can be done with out changing some parts but wanted to add the year of the Mustang makes a difference. I cannot speak for the 67 and newer Mustangs but on the 64.5-66 cars the Spindles are completely different in steering geometry and bearing size and the only way to upgrade to stock type V8 brakes is to replace the spindle. If you look at the picture below of some spindles; 65 I6 spindle on the left, 65 V8 in the middle, and a 78 Granada on the right, you can see the bearing shaft size is much smaller on the I6 spindle.

Also the steering arms are different length, hiegt and the position of where the steering arm comes in to contact with the tie rod. This relocation makes a big difference on things like bump-steer. Like i said it can be done I ran my car for several years using I6 steering and both stock V8 spindles as well a Granada discs, but for best results on early cars the steering components need to be changed on first generation car. All this not to refute what you said but to add some info for the first generation cars.

 

If you're having to decide between an I-6 or a lesser V8, andin the end they'll both cost you about the same to get it where you want it, perhaps you should consider:

Which would you rather do - body work or turn wrenches?

Some people have zero interest in body work, but enjoy the mechanical side of owning an old car. Others take a lot of pride in knowing that straight body is a product of their own effort.

Just a different angle you might want to consider.