This is my first post here and I'm simply hoping some of you guys might be able to give me some feedback on my idea on purchasing a classic mustang.

A little background first....I have a 1978 Ford F-150 that has been in my family since it was brand new. The truck is in pretty good condition and I drive it almost every day. The engine in this truck is a 302 that came out of a 1972 F-100 that had belonged to my grandfather and was the truck that I learned to drive in back in the 70's. My uncle, who was a master machinist, rebuilt this motor himself before he was killed and then I inherited the motor and put it into my truck. It is an excellent running motor and has some sentimental value to me because my uncle rebuilt it. Since the rebuild, it has only had about 3000 miles put on it.

The F-150 is a cool truck, but I already own another much nicer truck and don't really need two trucks. The other problem is that I have to search around in order to find someone to put an inspection sticker on it because 1978 is required to have all stock emissions installed and I have removed everything. I'm way more attached to the motor than I am to the truck, so I've been trying to come up with a plan that allows me to keep driving on this engine without having to worry about emissions every time I go for an inspection sticker,

My latest brainstorming session led me to start searching for classic mustangs on eBay and I noticed that the 1965 and 1966 models with a straight six were selling relatively inexpensively. My thought was that I could buy a 65-66 mustang with a straight six and then swap motors between the truck and the car. Then I could sell the truck to recap some of my expense and would be able to keep using my 302 in the mustang without any further worries about emissions since pre-68 vehicles aren't required to be inspected for emissions components in Texas.


Does this sound like a viable plan or is there something else that I might be failing to consider here? I'm all fired up about doing this, so I hope you guys might be willing to help me think my way through it. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Well, I see your point in wanting to use the engine, though you may be better off trying to find a 8 cyl. car without an engine as converting the 6 cyl. to V8 in the Mustang would also involve changing suspension and steering components to handle the heavier engine, 4 lug to 5 lug conversion, etc., so it's quite a bit more involved than just swapping out the engine. Good luck which ever way you decide to go!

 

^^^ He is correct, there is a lot more to it than just swapping the engine in.

 

Thanks ...that's exactly the sort of info I was looking for. I don't want to complicate this too much, so I suppose the easier route would be to find a v8 mustang in need of an engine. I'm not in a big hurry to do this since I have 3 working vehicles at the moment, but it is definitely something I want to pursue. I basically have a new engine in a truck that is restricted by emissions laws and I want just want to have some fun with it without worrying about getting an inspection sticker every year. A classic mustang seems like a fun choice for a place to put my motor, so I intend to keep watching for a likely candidate. What else might I need to keep in mind as far as putting a 1973 302 into a 65-66 mustang. I know its not going to be a proper match for the car, but I'm simply looking for a cool car to put my motor into so that I can keep driving on this motor without worrying about being emissions compliant. I've thought about a Fairlane or a Cougar, but I think I'd really enjoy the mustang more.

 

I've searched all over for the edit button and can't seem to find it anywhere. Just wanted to correct my above post where it says my 302 is a 1973...it is actually a 1972.

 

If you are on the mobile version of the forum there isn't an edit button.

 

I have been searching today and have located a 1965 coupe with a 289 and manual transmission. They are asking a fairly decent price for it and I'm definitely interested. In the photos, the body looks good and interior seems to be in great shape. The motor has 150,000 miles on it.

I'm considering buying it and putting that high mileage motor in my truck and putting my rebuilt 302 into the mustang. The only experience I have with installing motors is when I put this 1972 302 into my 1978 F150, so I'm not very knowledgeable about the particular differences that might be found between year models. I do know that my 302 has a casting date of March 30, 1972.

I want to make sure that this swap will work before I go any further. Are these motors interchangeable? Can I simply take this 1972 302 and drop it in there and bolt it up to that transmission or will I run into some sort of compatibility issues between the 72 motor and the 65 tranny? My 302 is currently attached to the c4 in my 78 pickup. Thanks for any further help you guys can give me.

 

I thought vehicles older than 25 years were exempt from emmission testing in Texas ... where are you located?

The engine will swap without problems, assuming it's not an early 65, I think some of those had 5 bolt bellhousings. Even so, you could swap the 302/C4 combo, you didn't state whether you intended to keep it a 4 speed (I would!).

 

i thought they started testing for emission for cars after 71?

 

yes, I would want to keep the 4-speed. As for emissions testing in Texas, I have researched the regulations through Texas Dept of Transportation and this is what I believe is true: If the vehicle was manufactured in 1984 or later, it must have all factory emissions equipment installed and must pass an emissions test. If the vehicle was produced prior to 1984 and after 1968, all factory installed emissions equipment must be in place, but the vehicle is not required to pass an emissions test. Pre-68 vehicles are totally exempt from any emissions requirements. Actually, I can't remember if it is pre-1968 or if it's 1968 and older, but the cutoff date is right around 68.

As for the 25 years old thing, there is some truth to that, but it doesn't exempt everybody. If the vehicle is over 25 years old, you can register it as a classic or as an antique. If it is registered as a classic, you must still abide by all emissions inspections regulations that apply to everyone, so I really don't see much point in registering it as a classic unless you just enjoy having classic designation on your plates. If you choose to register it as an antique, then you are totally exempt from inspection, However, a vehicle registered as an antique can only be driven to and from a car show or for maintenance purposes. You may not use an antique registered vehicle as your daily driver or to just go out for a cruise.

I could probably find someone to put an inspection sticker on my 78 each year, but it gets to be a yearly hassle to have to seek out an inspector who doesn't check emissions equipment, so I'd rather pull the motor out of the truck and plant it into a classic mustang that isn't subject to all that.