A few years ago I bought a 65 fastback with a inline 6. My hopes were always to upgrade to a 289 or 302. Recently the old 6 bought the farm, so now it's time to start engine shopping. Are there any highly recommended places for rebuilt/remanufactured 289 or 302 engines? I'm planning on making it a daily driver, so a high performance engine isn't needed; I just want something durable and affordable (3k or less is ideal).

Also, are there any recommended forums that focus on the classic mustangs?

 

Unless you come up with a donor car I don't think you can do the swap right for $3,000..... (or even wrong for that matter!)

Without a donor car you will need to get a rebuilt engine, buy all of the brackets, mounts, accessories etc....

I suppose you can use the I-6 tranny for a time, but it will not last, even for a daily driver.... The 6 cyl radiator will need to be upgraded, The front suspension and brakes should be upgraded... and the rear axle will likely soon give way behind the V-8..

Unlike many others, I think the swap is a good idea, (see my signature), and IMO it actually even makes economic sense for a fastback... providing it is not a rust bucket!

 

I am aware that the total swap will not be less than $3000, and I am fully aware of all of the parts I will need to complete the total swap (mounts, suspension, radiator, exhaust, axle, etc.).

Maybe I should be more clear: I am looking for a rebuilt or remanufactured 289 or 302 for less than $3000 (this is where I need advice as to where the best engine can be bought).

I mentioned nothing else about my total buget for the rest of the car. The current trans is the C4, which will certainly work with a small block V8, although it too will eventually be replaced (I'm leaning towards a Tremec T-5).

 

?? AutoZone?,,,,

AsI am sure you are aware,the best place to get a stock or near stock rebuild may well be a local machine/engine shop....

they do stuff like that all the time...

 

CJ&amp\\;amp\\;rsquo\\;s Pony Parts has them. You post does not say where you live. If you can get to Carlisle PA this weekend it is the Granddaddy of events. The All Ford Nationals, three days of FORD FORD FORD.&lt\\;br&gt\\;&lt\\;br&gt\\;I am typing CJ’s and it keeps coming up what you see above.&lt\\;br&gt\\;

 

I'm from Allentown, PA, so CJ's is a short drive away.&nbsp\\; I saw they have a remanufactured 289 for $2,400, so far that seems like my best bet.&nbsp\\; As you suggested, I will be at Carlisle this weekend and will see what I can find out there and probably stop at CJ's on my way home to talk with someone there and do a little shopping for some other goodies.

 

Cant you get a crate motor for 2.5?

 

I bought a used block from local guy and had a machine shop go through it cost me about $1500. Stock rebuild with slightly bigger cam. If you don't want alot of power you can get one rebuilt reasonable check around your local MS for pricing then buy a usedmotor some place. I have an extra 289 but you live to far. Besides if you get work done local and you ever have trouble, you don't have to drive to far.

 

to do this safely you need more then just a engine read this http://www.mustangandfords.com/howto...ade/index.html

 

A neighbor of mine had a 1965 mercury comet sitting in his garage... I picked it up for 500$ it had a 289 4v, 5 lug, and a 9" rear Had it machined and a Rebuild kit with lot's of goodie's ran like 2-3 grand. I couldn't imagine how much it would cost if I hadn't found such a nice donor car. After I stripped the car of all the v8 component's I turned around and sold it and all the inline 6 stuff out of my stang for nearly 500$.