[extropy]

I've been entertaining the idea of rescuing one of the old rust bucket mustangs I've seen rotting away, but I'm too much of a technophile geek to restore it to original specs. I'm thinking of something in the spirit of the SN-65, but nothing nearly so ambitious or expensive.

Would it be possible to fit a 4.0L V6 crate engine for a new mustang (say 2006-ish) in an old 69 fastback without major modification? If so, what are the biggest potential issues I'd need to keep in mind before I tried it?

[orangeRcode]

If it were me and you are going to undertake a crate engine swap, don't waste your time/money on a v6. Not knocking the 6er but you will have nearly as much $ tied up in the project and it would not be worth near as much when completed. Restomods are going to big money at Barrett Jackson and other auctions so as long as it is not an ultra rare 69 429 Boss car, it could be good project.

How much of the work are you going to do yourself? Once you involve a shop, you costs will escalate quickly. When you say rust bucket, be very careful. If you get a car that has extensive unibody rust, it can run into serious time/money quickly.

[99mustang232]

anything is possible but it would be quite a project, you are looking at doing motor mounts, replacing the wiring harness and computer, dash/cluster changes, transmission, driveshaft, tv/clutch cabling, hoses+radiator, fuel system plumbing, exhaust, custom intake tubing, PATS, amongst other possible clearance issues.

would probably be a much easier route to go with something like a nice carbed 351w or BBF?

[Horseshoeing]

Whats in the mustang now?

[extropy]

Originally Posted by orangeRcode How much of the work are you going to do yourself? Once you involve a shop, you costs will escalate quickly. When you say rust bucket, be very careful. If you get a car that has extensive unibody rust, it can run into serious time/money quickly.

About the only thing I was not planning to do myself was the final body paint and chrome-plating the odd accessory bits. I've seen some frighteningly extensive rust repair jobs linked from the forums, and they do seem rather imposing. I'm not really worried about the time involved as it's a hobby project, but money is always a limiting factor. More money means even more time while I save for parts. I would at least like to finish it before I retire in 30 some years.

I'm already planning to gut and completely redo the interior and the fuel system, as well as a complete rewiring job. Part of the appeal of a new engine is the OBD-II linkup I could use with StreetDeck and a car computer, as well as engine diagnostics and tuning. Computers and electrical are no problem for me, but my mechanical experience is more limited. I may have to resort to assistance with the engine/tranny system. I was looking at the V6 for mileage savings, as I wasn't overly concerned with horsepower. It's going to be a daily driver rather than a show car or racer.

To answer the other question, the two that I've looked at so far have no engine at all. One is missing the tranny, too. I'm reluctant to hack apart and destroy an old classic that's still in good shape. I'm more comfortable with experimenting on something that's already out of comission. At least if I ruin a rust bucket, I haven't taken an existing work of art out of circulation.

[Horseshoeing]

If I was going to put a 6 banger, I would will like into the Toyota Supra motor and 5 speed trans. Its one of the best motors that Totota makes. I know lots of people just don't think that a Toyata motor should ever be in a Mustang, but I say go with the best. Its the best I6 out there. I am thinking about buying a old 67 or 68 and putting one in myself. It would make the old Mustang a better daily driver.

[extropy]

Originally Posted by Horseshoeing If I was going to put a 6 banger, I would will like into the Toyota Supra motor and 5 speed trans. Its one of the best motors that Totota makes. I know lots of people just don't think that a Toyata motor should ever be in a Mustang, but I say go with the best. Its the best I6 out there. I am thinking about buying a old 67 or 68 and putting one in myself. It would make the old Mustang a better daily driver.

Hmmm...Worth looking into. I guess if I'm going to be stuck with major modifications to fit a new engine and such in there, then there's no real reason to limit myself to only a Mustang engine. If I'm going to defile a classic, I may as well go all the way.

I've been doing some research into alternate fuel, and supposedly an Australian company is coming out with a gas injection system for modern fuel injectors that actually ADDS horsepower rather than reducing it like LPG usually does. Eh, we'll see, but it might be worth keeping an eye on.

http://www.gas-injection.com/lpg-gas...hnologies.html

If you get that started before I do, let us know how it goes, I'd love to hear all the details!

[69fastback]

If you want gas mileage, you could still look at doing a V8, just keep the 2.75 gears(I'm assuming that's what it has), and spend the money on putting a 5spd w/overdive in it. Even with the mods my 351W had with a FMX and 3.73s it still got about 14mpg on the highway.

[extropy]

After wandering around, it would seem that dropping a late model 5.0 EFI in there would be the most logical choice. Especially since I'm already planning on a major rewiring job anyway. With a T5 and such, I've seen pretty reasonable mpg reports, and instalation seems much closer to a bolt-in-and-go solution. Except for rusted unibody concerns, it's making the empty hull idea sound more appealing. Now I just need to find a totaled out 90-93 with a working engine/tranny I can get cheap from a junkyard. Crate would work too, but more work, money, and seperate parts that way. Hmmm...this just might work.

Interesting reading on the engine swap for any interested:
http://www.mustangandfords.com/howto/16159/index.html
http://jr.stangnet.com/FiveOh.htm
http://users.ev1.net/~gbuzek/Engine.htm

[Horseshoeing]

It will work and it is a good swap. You can go with a carb and make it easyer or keep the fuel injection. Its also roller block.