Hello  to any one who reads this

     I am a young 23 year old who loves classic muscle cars. I have always had my eye for them since i was a weee little girl. Now that i am old enough to some-what afford a classic (a mustang and an impala), I am about ready to take on the job of restoring atleast one of them(which happens to be my favorite). I own (my first vehicle) a 1966 mustang. To some classic inthusist that car doesn't mean anything, but to me it means the world. I love my car, and I want the best for my car, but I am on a tight budget. I plan on replacing the engine, transmission, suspension, and the exhaust system, along with some minor body repair. I don't know everything about cars, but i have done some work myself. I hate taking my baby to a shop if I can just fix it myself. The point of all of this is i was hoping that some one could help me out by making some suggestions about engines and all that other stuff to make my baby sound the way I want it to sound. I am willing to do the work, I don't mind getting dirty. I do have some idea that I would like a 351 with about three hundred horse power or more. But I may not be able to afford that along with everything else.

If anyone has any suggestions please email me at Jerky27@hotmail.com

thank you

Crystal Pepper

Well, it takes time and money, more of one if you don't have the other.  Junkyards are a good place to start for parts upgrades, (trans, engine, ect).  I'd start by reading a lot!  Go to Books-a-Million and you'll find books in the transportation section regarding projects, swaps, and also a Chilton service manual for your car.

Scott

Crhytec is right. There's a distinct balance between how much money you have versus how much work you put into it. For example, you could spend $3000 on a new engine and drop it in over the weekend, or you could spend maybe half that and rebuild your engine which will of course take more time.

Your plan of action so far is in conflict. You want the best for your car but you're also on a tight budget -- and people on a tight budget don't replace their engine, tranny, suspension, and exhaust system, they rebuild as much as possible in order to get the most bang for their buck. Since we don't know what you're starting with (what engine does your car have? tranny? rear end? etc) we can only speak in generalities for now.

Given a limited budget, you'll want to stick with the basics and avoid exotic parts. For example, a well-ported set of factory iron heads will cost significantly less than new aluminum heads and will still give your engine a power boost. A reasonably sized camshaft and matched carbeurator will help your engine breathe better, but avoid things like roller cams and roller rockers to keep your budget manageable. Your local junkyard can offer up a variety of good performance parts; you just need to know where to look. Fortunately your 'Stang is fairly flexible and can take a WIDE variety of small- and big-block engines.

A popular swap is to find a trashed late-model Mustang, pull its engine, tranny, and all of the electronics (don't forget the computer!), and swap it into an early model car, such as your 'Stang. You'll get the classic looks of the early 'Stang with the modern performance and reliability of a late-model engine. Swaps like this can be tricky and MIGHT not be within your budget, but it's something to think about.

 

What drivetrain does your Mustang have in it now?  

   Sounds like a pretty cool car! My first car was a 1965 Ford Falcon wich is not unlike a 66 Mustang and they share a lot of parts.

70's ford cars like Grannadas care very useful parts like disc brakes, and even power brakes, even electronic ignition. I am working on a 1972 Ford pickup F-100 and I got a really good power gain on a set of cheap headers and exhaust. 351 windsors are found in a lot of different vehicles. If you can find one in an early 80's pickup it will be an HO windsor and will be strong from the get go. A windsor will be about the biggest motor you can fit without  modifying the front suspension. I have a buddy with a 66 mustang and he is diong quit well with a 3:55 rear gear reduction from a junkyard and a aluminum 4-barrell intake and Holley650 carb on his 289. Also if you have the top loader 4-speed stick with it its a killer tranny. Also there is a ton of cheap after market parts for early stangs. Try www.cal-mustang.com.

What motor and tranny do you have?

65FalconGuy

you idiots hun go to www.mustangunlimited.com also engine if you want to swap it go with a ford motorsport crate motor around 2 grand but over 300hp for long block and aluminum heads worth every penny and nothing you can buy stock will match this performance in a 66 mustang for under 100 thosuand dollars today imported . But if you have inline six banger you should try setting it up with multipoint injection and going with a turbo application this is my dream build.

Impala big as well about to set sail.

Sup girl? All you need is to follow the battle of the titans ford 302. that is about the cheapest/most powerful lil small block youll probally be able to get.

PS I like a girl who doesnt mind gettin down n dirty... well with cars I mean.

Jerky27, If you truly love your Mustang keep it stock as much as possible. It will bring more interest and money in the end, if you ever decide to sell it. The 289 can be built to give you 300+ horses. Watch out though 300 horses with a stock weight Mustang can get a few tickets and get totaled real quick too. There are lots of parts out there for Mustangs which is good for a first timer. Get some good tools and a manual and jump in. Don't be afraid to just start on something/ anything. 64-72 Mustangs are a lot of fun. I wish I had my 69 Mach1 back in a heartbeat. Email me if you have any questions. dewhitt1@airmail.net  

     hey.just a quick note..........................do the mechanicals first.....make sure they function properly,you know.......brakes/electrical/frame........suspension....................get it running right, then do the exterior........you could always lose the 289& build a 302...................same size as the 289....................with the early mustangs, you are kinda limited as to what motor you can run.............beginning with the 1967 Mustang,the cars got wider to allow for a BB........................feel free to write back................mine's a resto-mod..............