Rodan
Member
DO IT!
Fairmont and LTD V8s are cool. I always wanted to build a Fairmont wagon hot rod, but never got 'round to it.
1983 Mustang.Too good to scrap.Poor little orphan..
- Thread starter Breakaway500
- Start date
DO IT!
Fairmont and LTD V8s are cool. I always wanted to build a Fairmont wagon hot rod, but never got 'round to it.
Fox bodies are VERY popular and valuable right now... there is a FOXFest car show in Omaha Neb every summer... brings them in from around the country to the middle of everything
Engine is mounted backwards on the trannie. Distributor goes in the back, right?
(long time Chevy guy here) who admires your nice build. Wish i still had the energy to do that kind of stuff, but that old Greek Art Thritis won't let me.
Engine is mounted backwards on the trannie. Distributor goes in the back, right?
(long time Chevy guy here) who admires your nice build. Wish i still had the energy to do that kind of stuff, but that old Greek Art Thritis won't let me.
Nope, Buick and Ford got it right. Easy to set timing up front too. GM even put in that handy window for your allen wrench...
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austintexas
Member
Memories
Brings back memories, When I was a teenager I engine swapped a '53 Cadillac into a 46 ford coupe. Easy swap. Next I attempted to install a '56 Chrysler V8 into a '49 ford. Not a good idea, correct parts hard to get and engine too big and heavy for a good swap. Last one I did after I went into the Air Force was a '57 Plymouth 318 into a '46 Plymouth business coupe. Very good swap, I drove it from home in Pa to Tacoma, Washington (McCord AFB). Later took leave and went to Saco, Montana and back. Very good car, sold it and bought a '55 Chevy Belair 2 door ht that I put a '57 Power Pack engine in with 3 deuces and Duntov cam. Those were the days you could do it on the cheap.
SWCA 892
Brings back memories, When I was a teenager I engine swapped a '53 Cadillac into a 46 ford coupe. Easy swap. Next I attempted to install a '56 Chrysler V8 into a '49 ford. Not a good idea, correct parts hard to get and engine too big and heavy for a good swap. Last one I did after I went into the Air Force was a '57 Plymouth 318 into a '46 Plymouth business coupe. Very good swap, I drove it from home in Pa to Tacoma, Washington (McCord AFB). Later took leave and went to Saco, Montana and back. Very good car, sold it and bought a '55 Chevy Belair 2 door ht that I put a '57 Power Pack engine in with 3 deuces and Duntov cam. Those were the days you could do it on the cheap.
SWCA 892
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cgt4570
Member
'83 was the first year for a convertible since '73. It's a keeper.
I grew up S of Detroit and my dad retired from Dearborn Assembly where your car was born. He started out putting headliners in '66's on the line and retired after the car moved to Flat Rock (Mazda plant) in '95. If you need pointers, my dad or I probably know someone.
I currently have a '97 Cobra coupe and a '67 small block convertible. Both have under 75k miles. My 1st car was an '81 T-top 5-speed. There've been several in between. Good luck!
I grew up S of Detroit and my dad retired from Dearborn Assembly where your car was born. He started out putting headliners in '66's on the line and retired after the car moved to Flat Rock (Mazda plant) in '95. If you need pointers, my dad or I probably know someone.
I currently have a '97 Cobra coupe and a '67 small block convertible. Both have under 75k miles. My 1st car was an '81 T-top 5-speed. There've been several in between. Good luck!
OP
Pulled the "289" out....it's actually a 260 by the numbers on it. Basically a boat anchor. The aluminum cylinder heads that were on it are in nice shape and an extra bonus were the FMS roller rocker arms hiding under the valve covers. Seeing as the Explorer engine has good heads from the factory (GT40s) I will sell the Edelbrocks to fund much needed other parts.
Hoping to get the Explorer engine sitting in the engine bay by Sunday.No rush...
Hoping to get the Explorer engine sitting in the engine bay by Sunday.No rush...
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Rodan
Member
I would keep the Edelbrocks and sell the GT40s. GT40 heads still bring pretty strong prices, and the reduction in weight over the front end will be worth the small difference in selling price. IIRC, they flow a bit better as well.
The Explorer should have GT40P heads, they create problems with headers as the spark plug angle is different than the GT40 heads. Just be sure you verify fitment with the exhaust manifolds/headers you will be using before you drop the engine in with the explorer heads!
OP
I contemplated doing that..but I really like iron heads on iron blocks.Ive found the lifespan on head gaskets to me much better with similar materials bolted together.
These (the heads on the 1997 Explorer) are GT40 heads (3 bars on the head casting vs 4 bars for the P heads, which came later)
They don't bring much attention like the aluminum heads will (for resale) especially if I bundle them with the rockers and valve covers. Its all about the "boy racer" factor and old iron heads don't excite buyers.
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OP
Explorer engine ready to drop in. I put a new timing chain (Cloyes dual roller) on it as the original had some stretch and for some reason the whole chain kit was only $22 from Orilleys. Must be trying to get rid of old inventory. New Shifter for the T5 and the pile of parts is getting smaller.
One casualty..came in and found this mouse sitting just like you see it in the middle of the shop.Usually they run off..but this one was dead in place! Must have got into some anti-freeze is all I could figure.Oops..
Will put the motor in this week.
One casualty..came in and found this mouse sitting just like you see it in the middle of the shop.Usually they run off..but this one was dead in place! Must have got into some anti-freeze is all I could figure.Oops..
Will put the motor in this week.
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Did not take the time to read all the posts and see if anyone else spoke up, "but i'm hoping it peaks (perks?) interest to someone".
I think the word you were looking for was "piques".
I think the word you were looking for was "piques".
OP
While waiting for a new block plate for a T5 setup (goes between the engine and bellhousing)I moved to other things. Seems like they misplaced the original plate (they had nothing between the 260 and the bell!) and I didn't have one in stock for a T5 (uses a 157 tooth flywheel vs 164 tooth)
Carburetor rebuild..I'm going with the Edelbrock 650cfm unit that was in the trunk...it was in excellent shape..considering.All freshened up and ready for action.
I tackled the brakes as well. New hydraulics including the master cylinder. With GO you must have woah! Basicall stock power 10.5" disc up front and 9.5" drums out back.Should slow the 3k.lb car down fine.Resurfaced the rotors and repacked the bearings.Drums turned nicely.Good ole american iron!
I also decided to check what's inside the 8.8 differential. Looks like it is a set of FMS (Ford Motorsports) 3.55 ratio gears on a Traction-lock carrier,so positraction. Everything looks good and all clearances are perfect. Matter of fact..it may be my handiwork from years ago as I set up a lot of them and the punch marks I use on the caps is my style! New cover just to clean things up.
Will tidy the engine bay wiring up and do a little painting.
Carburetor rebuild..I'm going with the Edelbrock 650cfm unit that was in the trunk...it was in excellent shape..considering.All freshened up and ready for action.
I tackled the brakes as well. New hydraulics including the master cylinder. With GO you must have woah! Basicall stock power 10.5" disc up front and 9.5" drums out back.Should slow the 3k.lb car down fine.Resurfaced the rotors and repacked the bearings.Drums turned nicely.Good ole american iron!
I also decided to check what's inside the 8.8 differential. Looks like it is a set of FMS (Ford Motorsports) 3.55 ratio gears on a Traction-lock carrier,so positraction. Everything looks good and all clearances are perfect. Matter of fact..it may be my handiwork from years ago as I set up a lot of them and the punch marks I use on the caps is my style! New cover just to clean things up.
Will tidy the engine bay wiring up and do a little painting.
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Rodan
Member
mmb617
Member
Small world. My son just finished installing a new 347 in his '67 Mustang. Yesterday was the first fire-up. That's my '85 Mustang in the background.
Looks like they also swapped the SROD trans for a T5. Just be careful of 3rd gear...
Those T5's can be stronger than people think. I drag raced my 408/T5 Mustang almost every weekend for 7 years and only broke the transmission about once a year. The real key is never power shift 3rd gear, T5's really hate that.
My son would agree with you. This is his car that he completely restored himself including the paint.
Small world. My son just finished installing a new 347 in his '67 Mustang. Yesterday was the first fire-up. That's my '85 Mustang in the background.
Is that a Holly Brawler carburetor??
I put one, a 650 cfm double pump with a electric choke on the 410
in my 1976 F-250 and it has performed flawlessly.
mckenney99
Member
That color would be for a Smurfmobile.
