Is there a front suspension that will allow the elimination of a the shock towers on a 65-66? It would make for an easier fit for a 351.

 

yep, check ebay! I saw a kit there earlier this week.

 

So a Mustang II style suspension will eliminate the shock towers???

 

Yes, the Mustang II suspension kits eliminate the shock towers. the weight of the front is moved to the frame rails. Check out the pictures in this link. http://www.cjponyparts.com/NewTechRodCustom.aspx

Heidts http://www.heidts.com/heip32-2.htm , Rod and Customs and Fatman Fab http://www.fatmanfab.comall make a weld-in kit. You will also move to rack & pinion steering (bonus).


Stef

 

The Heidt's M2 or Rod and Custom M2 are both good suspensions.Some claim (Fatman mainly)that M2 suspensionsweaken the design, move the engine up and forward, etc. But the engine weight is placed directly over the crossmember and onto the wheels (whereas the original suspension transfered it to the shock towers and then to the wheels). With the engine mounted to the crossmember there is probalby less weight on the frame rails than with the original suspension. And those who have installed small blocks say theengine positionis the same as stock (if that's where you want it).

This system allows removing the shock towers and really opens up the engine bay. However, unless you are doing a mod motor (4.6L or 5.4L) or big block, it's probably more trouble than it's worth. The 351W should fit in the stock engine bay without problems.

I put a Heidt's in my 65 to make room for a built and blown4.6L Cobra motor (and I wanted rack and pinion, discs, etc.). It is not hard work, just time consuming and you must double check all the measurements. I bought the kit from Tim's Hot Rod (Wash. state - ibuildm on ebay). Great price and service - about $200 less than anyone else I could find. Here are some pics with my mock-up motor:

[IMG]local://upfiles/25918/F6E9508DF8604AE49B176B8DCFBFAF24.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/25918/7C43FC8192CD491C9657CA16E34FCEB8.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/25918/156BBA79C78B402690D41C575AA6776F.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/25918/EF3E9D556D2E4F56A631B8828757F928.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/25918/A8AAC424E70941639EA1E998E9103BF6.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thanks for the help guys. Ozarks06 you bay looks amazing, I love the setup!!! It seems that the work is worth it. How does it ride and handle? The more room for the 351W the better. That way I don't have to bust my knuckles changing plugs.

 

03Maverik,

If you are just looking for a little more room for working on the engine you may want to consider notching the shock towers. If access is all you are looking for then this is a wole lot cheaper than going the mustang II route. Depends on what youa re looking for. Here is a link detailing how to notch the towers:

http://web.archive.org/web/200201241...06/project460/

Hope this helps,

John B

 

As I said in my post, if you are using a small block, I wouldn't recommend an M2 suspension. It is a lot of work (time) and to be honest, a small block looks kind of lonely in all that newfound space.

 

Theres many a mustang 2 kit or http://www.griggsracing.com/index.php which will handle good also http://www.rrs-online.com/ sells coilovers and shock tower notching kits.You dont have to notch the shock towers both a 351w and 351c fits but its a little tight.I wouldnt use the mustang 2 one its got ackermann problems and puts more stress on the frame rails insted of the firewall the way ford designed these cars.If you do use the mustang 2 kits make a support bars going from the front of the frame rail down by the radiator support cruved up to the firewall.

 

So just use one of those shock tower notch kits, I will be alright with clearance? And no one hear likes the way a MII front end handles?