Picked up my wifes dream car for cheep only prob is the body right down to the frame rails (MN salt car). I have the body know how. just lacking some mechanics. The car is a coupe w/171ci 6cyl. Hoping to put 302 in on the cheep would like to find salvage parts for frontend w power steering/ power disc/and full suspension. any ideas of cars w/compatible donor parts that could work. Hoping to build a nostalgic sleeper to blow your doors off

 

problem with the 6cylinder cars is that the rest of the car doesn't hold much power.
I bought a original 6cylinder in the states and only the engine was swapped.
I destroyed the rear axle twice, the gearbox was on the bring. The brakes are scary (it's ow heavier) etc etc etc

in the matter of 3 years I changed the whole driveline. There's not a single part original from radiator to rear wheels ...

i know it's not good news, but if you have to convert to V8, make sure you have the rest of the car matched to it (able to handle the power)

 

He's, right, from the fan blade to rear axle you'll have to swap out everything. The entire brake system is different, the 6 spindles are too small, and all the steering gear except the gearbox itself needs changing.

It would be easier to buy another car, or change your goals. It is possible to dramatically upgrade the performance of the small six.

 

shouldn't have jumped @the first boat that came by!! I know there are parts out ther, I just don't know if I can aford catolog prices, rack and pinion,suspension,5 lug dropspindles,302,ford 9"=$$,$$$. Mabey better as #s matching, w/no orignal sheet metal?

 

Well, you can make it handle much better for reasonable money, and you can get 30 MPG from a manual trans six, and look great while doing it.

 

I agree with Kali and 2+2 and everything that has been said about what needs to be done to convert an I6 car to a V8. Mine was originally a 200 3 speed. It is now a 302 T5 9 inch rear. Anyway, you will need to replace/upgrade all the parts mentioned.

 

I think we have touched on this before, but I don't see how it can get 30 mpg. When mine was still a 200 3 speed and everything mechanical was rebuilt or new the best it got was 20. The same was true of all 5-6 people I knew that had one with an I6. I suppose it could get about 25 with an overdrive transmission, but not 30. Are there actual numbers that say it was rated for that?

The V8 cars do get worse, but if they are not too heavily modified and set up properly they can get 20 mpg. Mine does, but it has an overdrive T5 transmission.

 

I knew I had seen this book before, started looking for it this morning when I saw your message and gave up, just came across it while looking through a mustang catalog company.

Ford Parts Interchange Manual
1959-1970 Mustang, Fairlane, Torino, Mercury Cougar & Cyclone.
Author: P. Herd
240 Pages.

It is available at several Mustang Parts suppliers, but I just found it at www.TruckAndCarShop.com for $25

Also, I was looking for parts for my 170ci in a junkyard and this old geezer stopped by said he worked on the old inline sixes all the time, told me I should look up the older econoline vans and truck section for the inline six parts that would work in mine. Never got there so I don't know first hand, I'm sure a lot of the parts will fit.
BTW, if you upgrade your car, keep me in mind if you are selling the old stuff...

 

Kind of torn on wether to go through w/it or find a V8 car to start with. On one hand I have a year1 stang. On the other I have a list of mods that Im not too comfortable doing. manual trans conversion and power steering

 

64.5stanger.

Ive done the complete swap and it was very rewarding. figure most of what you are swapping out needs to be rebuilt anyway. Especially if its your wifes car you need to put disc brakes on it anyway. find an 8.8 rear end on the cheap. if you keep the c4 you need to change the bell housing. and a nice 5.0 can be had on craigslist for 1,000. changing steering componets is not expensive.

We can help!

Dan