Hello All, I am new to this site and would appreciate any info you all have. My question is not about my Stang but my sons new 67 Cougar. While we are working on the body and interior we want to find another engine and trans to get rebuilt. I need to know if any 289 and C-4 trans from the 60's era Stangs, or other Fords will drop right in? Thanks again, any isight is appreciated.
Phil

 

There was no difference between the engine/transmission used in the Mustang and Cougar. There were, of course, differences from year to year. Other Ford cars were also interchangeable with them, but passenger car transmissions with column shift must be converted by replacing the shift lever on the trans with the Mustang/Cougar type to be compatible with the floor shift.

 

All these engines and transmissions are very interchangeable. What you should be aware of is that the early 260 and 289 engines used five bolts connecting engine and bellhousing. Beginning somewhere around the 65 Model year, they used six bolts. As long as you are aware of this, it should be an easily solved problem. Both bell housings are readily available, so by changing the bell housing on the transmission, you can mate most any C4 to either a five bolt or six bolt engine. With manual transmissions there is a flywheel difference along with the bell housing. I expect that it might take a different flex plate between these two housings. If you start interchanging flex plates, make sure you don't get one from a later 5.0 engine. They have a different balancing weight than the earlier engines.

Assuming you have a complete engine/transmission in the car, you will be able to take any 289 or 302 and match it up using components you currently have in the car, taking into account of course the 5 bolt/6 bolt issue.

BTW, I have a 5 bolt bellhousing on a good C4 transmission that I would sell for a reasonable price. If you end up needing only the bellhousing it would be cheap to ship. Shipping the whole transmission would probably be prohibitively expensive unless you were in the North Texas area.

 

MBDiagMan, I am definitely interested in learning more about your trans. My son's car is completely missing the auto trans. It has a 289 installed, but unsure of the condition. If you dont care to email me at pdbarker2003@yahoo.com with contact info I am very interested in the trans.
Thanks

 

Any 67-69 V8 C4 will be identical to what you are missing. Even later will fit, with little or no adaptation, but there are internal differences. Easiest just to get a 67-69.