I have a 1965 Mustang that was my first car. I've had it for almost 13 years and I have almost completly restored it. It has a 200 6 cylinder in it and a 3 speed manual tranie in it and i'm thinking of converting it into a 302 that I pulled out of a 1991 grand marquis. I know i need to convert it into a 5 lug and put an electric fuel pump on it. I want to put power steering and disc brakes in the front.

What im really curious about is where the tranie be able to hold up to it if i get a 302 bell housing. My dad has a 66 that was completly restored and converted into a 289, but it has a automatic 3 speed in it. He didn't convert it hisself he bought it thinking it was a factory 289 already.

 

You can put power steering and power disc brakes on the car now. As for performance, a T5 5-speed is bolt-on.

Changing to V8 is a massive job on a 64-66 6 cylinder car. You have to replace the cooling system, engine electrical, fuel system (electric is not required), exhaust system, entire steering system, engine, trans, driveshaft, rear axle, the entire brake system, and some small stuff.

The 6 cylinder C4 is not built as strong as the V8 version. The 2.77 3-speed you have now, if you can figure a way to attach to a V8 (I can't) will die in 3 seconds behind a V8 engine. The rear axle will die during the first burnout.

It's a lot easier to just go out and buy a V8 car if you really want a V8.

 

My brother just did the exact same thing with his falcon. A lot does have to change. Most of what 2+2 mentioned is correct, but I will make a few additions.

1) The three speed will be fine behind a 5.0. A toploader 3 speed is actually stronger than a T5, though not as fun. You CAN attach it to a 5.0 you need to get an old 302 bellhousing or a bellhousing from a 250 straight 6 out of the late 60's or 70s they use the standard small block bolt pattern and will take a toploader no problems.

2)Which rear end do you have? the 7 1/2 inch (bolt on rear plate) won't take it. An 8 inch will be fine no problems upto ~350 ft pounds of torque or maybe more. I would actually take one over a modern 8.8.

Scott

 

Unless his car has already been partially converted, he'll have the tiny 2.77 3-speed, and the 7" rear axle. The 2.77 is so small a child could carry it.

The 67-73 6 cylinder came with the 3.03 3-speed, same as the V8. That one will even stand up to the 390.

 

why not turbo your 6 and re gear it?

 

There are no performance gears for the 7" axle. The T5 5-speed makes a huge difference, though.

 

explorer rear end for $450. its a great upgrade 3.73 gears

 

I wouldn't mess with a 8.8 if you look hard you can catch a 8 inch cheap or even free.

 

I have a 1965 mustang and was wondering what year explorer I would get the rear end from, And would it bolt right up or do i need to make brackets of some sort?