My advice--get a V-8 to start with!
Originally Posted by
patrija
... so I'm thinking the ideal starting point would be a 6 cyl Mustang convertible and yank the engine, etc.
Ideas? Better financial decision to buy one that is pretty much done already? Suggestions?
I went this route when I shoehorned a 351 Cleveland into the motor bay of a 1971 Mercury Comet GT, which was the Mercury version of the Ford Maverick. I suspect that there will be little variation between the Maverick and the Mustang, so if my experience with the Comet is of any benefit my best advice would be to find a V-8 Mustang and start from there. I had to change out the entire front end and rear ends to get the 5 hole wheels (not to mention that the 6 cylinder differential would never have held up to the power of the Cleveland) and then I had to get a different transmission crossmember, as the 6 cylinder crossmember didn't have the "double hump" configuration needed for the V-8's dual exhaust.
After that there were other issues, such as the steering box, throttle cable length and radiator size, that were constant irrations. I feel it would have been much better to start off with a V-8 factory build.
Doug
YD,E./PNB
"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood..." (Daniel H. Burnham)