pulling out straight 6 putting 289 in a 65'
05-01-2010, 11:18 PM
#2
6th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 5,232
A ton of work. I'd list all the stuff you'll need to replace, but the 'not replaced' list is shorter. You won't have to replace the body or the interior. Everything else goes. About 80% of the people who've done this say 'never again'.
Seriously, you'll have to replace the engine, brackets, mounts, radiator, engine wiring, transmission, driveshaft, rear axle, fuel lines, front brakes, spindles, the entire steering linkage, rear brakes, exhaust system, front and rear springs, wheels, and some other stuff I probably left out because I'm tired.
Seriously, you'll have to replace the engine, brackets, mounts, radiator, engine wiring, transmission, driveshaft, rear axle, fuel lines, front brakes, spindles, the entire steering linkage, rear brakes, exhaust system, front and rear springs, wheels, and some other stuff I probably left out because I'm tired.
05-02-2010, 09:10 AM
#6
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,001
05-02-2010, 12:20 PM
#8
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: AR
Posts: 5,469
It depends on the reasons for the conversion, the starting point of the car, where you want to take the car, and finally your expectations for the car.
My son and I did a conversion on his 66 coupe, it was easy for the most part, he did most all of the "conversion work" and this was his first project, simple bolt ins.
The way he did his car was expensive, all new 408, TKO 600, Currie 9", Willwood fronts, SSBC rears, R & P steering, all pricey stuff, but no more pricey to put this stuff on a 6 car than to put it on an 8, which a lot of people do.
It is doubtful that the car will ever be worth what he has in it, but then again any new car ain't worth anywhere near worth what it was paid for, once it leaves the lot. His "conversion coupe" was way cheaper than any new car I would want to drive, and for the most part is done depreciating.
I believe that the conversion is way easier than rust/body repair, and IMO a good straight rust free body is always a viable candidate for a swap and I would do it again. I WOULD NOT convert a beat up 6 though.
Also, the swap can be done cheaply when a good "donor car" is utilized.
In the end, a a conversion car can perform and look every bit as good as a factory V8, with some loss in value, but this really doesn't matter much with a coupe anyway.
Also, this is from the FAQ hosted by JamesW, the parts lists here are helpful.
http://midnightdsigns.com/james/FAQs.htm#VII. ENGINE/Engine Swap/FUEL DELIVERY:
My son and I did a conversion on his 66 coupe, it was easy for the most part, he did most all of the "conversion work" and this was his first project, simple bolt ins.
The way he did his car was expensive, all new 408, TKO 600, Currie 9", Willwood fronts, SSBC rears, R & P steering, all pricey stuff, but no more pricey to put this stuff on a 6 car than to put it on an 8, which a lot of people do.
It is doubtful that the car will ever be worth what he has in it, but then again any new car ain't worth anywhere near worth what it was paid for, once it leaves the lot. His "conversion coupe" was way cheaper than any new car I would want to drive, and for the most part is done depreciating.
I believe that the conversion is way easier than rust/body repair, and IMO a good straight rust free body is always a viable candidate for a swap and I would do it again. I WOULD NOT convert a beat up 6 though.
Also, the swap can be done cheaply when a good "donor car" is utilized.
In the end, a a conversion car can perform and look every bit as good as a factory V8, with some loss in value, but this really doesn't matter much with a coupe anyway.
Also, this is from the FAQ hosted by JamesW, the parts lists here are helpful.
http://midnightdsigns.com/james/FAQs.htm#VII. ENGINE/Engine Swap/FUEL DELIVERY:
Last edited by JMD; 05-02-2010 at 04:26 PM.
05-03-2010, 08:02 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: california
Posts: 6
thanks for all the advise, i decided to hold off and in doing so found a 65 around my $ range with a 289, just what i was looking for needs some body and engine upgrades beautiful. thanks for the help! Ah Ha but what if i wanted to put in a 302? the good thing now if it's going to be too much work i can just soop up my 289! sweet thanks everyone you guys kick A..!