[toulbox]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to club and hope to catch up with most of you at the Victorian MOCA meetings and cruises... I'm hoping someone can help me locate a 67/68 Fastback, I'm planning to convert it into an Eleanor replica. I've searched the forums and come up with a few names like "john from bedigo - dunno what he does, I'm assuming he's a dealer/worshop", "waXology - who is also planning to do the with his fastback" and "utopia - who plan to replicate the elanor kit" ..

If anyone can help with the following I would greatly appreciate it;

1. Appart from the local rags.. Anyone know of a 67/68 Fastback for sale
2. Any tips sourcing the Elanor kit? I know of the US suppliers like www.totalproducts.com , www.rmautomotivespecialists.com , www.eleanormustangs.com , etc..
3. Any tips on importing a car from the US? I've seen some Ads in Just World Cars with guy's/companies who source and import for you eg: www.wholesaledealerclearance.com & www.classic-usa-cars.com but not sure about ther replutation etc..

Cheers
Simon

[OzPony]

Hey Simon,

The only Fastback I know of for sale in Victoria is a 1967 GTA with a 390 in it. It is an imaculate car and would be way too expensive to turn into an Eleanor.

Personally I would import one from the US or Canada. I know a few guys through MOCA that are trustworthy and could bring you in a nice car. Steve Lond the club president is probably the best place to start.

You would be best to source your body kit from the US and see if anyone has some room in their container to bring it back for you. That way your shipping cost will be a lot less. You may even be able to bring it back with your car ??

[krankieone]

Try Steve lond at Mustangs of Melbourne, Russel Tranner at Just Mustangs, East Coasts Mustangs at Lilldale for a start.

[toulbox]

cheers, I'll give steve a call.. might have found one already just waiting to get the final details..

coming from a Skyline GTR background this V8 scene is all new to me, so please be patient with me :thumbsup . As far as engine choices go are there any rights or wrongs?? I'm thinkling fuel injection maybe 351 (any real difference between C & W) or just bite the bullet and go bigblock 427?? Ideally the car needs to streetable, will most likely be driven every second or third day, thinking about fuel injection for some sort of economy compromise... I realise V8's aren't close to being fuel friendly, but I'm happy to comprimise between super guzzler high hp and moderate guzzler.."am i sounding like a tightass?? " I guess I comparing it to the GTR making around 550hp, we use to get 16-18ltres per 100k's, and (we) my brother & I, like to drive hard.

So we'd like to see at least 450-500hp, plus we're also thinking the possability of a supercharger!! it seems PAXTON is the way go? not looking at big boost levels, around the 7-10psi, and my "jap" tuners have begged me to let them install NOS..

One site that really got me excited was http://www.fordcobraengines.com/408w_Proflo.htm , until I saw the prices?? which all things considered maybe about right, unfotunately is just a bee's d!ck out of my budget.

Last question "for now" - do the 67/68's have any issues fitting bigblocks?
Any tips, links, rough cost's etc... would greatly be appreciated,

[krankieone]

I'd be happy with 15 mpg (18l/100km)

Traditionilists would consider it sacreligious to concider anything other than a windsor or a FE series big block (come to think of it they look at elenor clones the same way)but if your chasing HP be warned 289/302 blocks are only good for a reliable 500HP flywheel especialy later ones, 351W are stronger with heaps of stroker kits available (up to 427 ci),351C could work well with 4V heads and port stuffers or a blower.Bounce your ideas of us and we'll throw in our 2 cents

[toulbox]

Thanks krankieone,

the car I'm looking at has a 289.. So let me get this right, a 427 is really a 351 stroked to 427 ?

Originally Posted by krankieone

351W are stronger with heaps of stroker kits available (up to 427 ci),351C could work well with 4V heads and port stuffers or a blower.

I think I lost you here?? Are you saying...

a) 351W is better than a 351C, if I plan to stroke it to a 427?

b) 351C is better than a 351W, if I plan to keep the same capacity and add a blower?

Funny thing you mention 4V heads, I used to know an engine builder who builds & races amongst other things, NASCAR engines here in Melbourne.. If I recall correctly, he mentioned how pointless it was worrying about 4V heads. He said the engines he built for NASCAR didn't even use 4V heads and they were making over 600hp??

[OzPony]

I have to agree with Krankie. The sort of power you are talking about is way too much for a 302w, especially if you want it to be reliable and streetable at 500+ HP. You have a few options....

1. Stroke to a 331 with lightweight - forged internals and fully balanced. Heads are important so I would use AFRs or TF and a mild cam. This would probably be a bit shy of 400hp but close. Then if you are still not happy, slap on your supercharger. http://www.coasthigh.com/Assemblies/Ford/ford_331.htm

2. Drop in a late model Cobra engine out of a 1990+ and supercharge it with a Paxton Novi or a Vortech SQ S-trim. With the free flowing Cobra manifolds and ported heads you will hit 520 HP.

3. Stroke a 351 to 393ci and add some nice heads and intake. That will take you close to 500HP
http://www.coasthigh.com/Assemblies/Ford/ford_393w.htm

Anyway you look at it, you are going to be up for some serious dollars. Hope this gives you some ideas. Any questions just ask

Oh, and maybe give Rob Herrod a call at Herrod Motorsport. He builds some awesome Ford engines.

[rickpfit]

For a locally made Eleanor kit try Steve Jewett at Prototypes Plus Engineering.

The address - Factory 4 / 22-24 Tova Drive, Carrum Downs, 3201 Victoria
Mobile 041 1241 500
Work (03) 9775 0566
Fax (03) 9775 0565
email: pro_p_eng@connexus.net.au

[Bob A]

Just wanted to say Hello to everybody, I'm new to this forum but I've been reading your threads and getting some good info. I wind up having a 1967 Mustang GTA 390 Coupe in pieces and a 1966 mustang as a daily driver. I'll be asking some questions, because I need I alot of help. Thanks for having me!!!

[craig j]

Hi Simon,hows the fastback search goin? .I have had a 68 fastback for 2yrs now with intentions of building an Eleanor also have my car to bare metal and proceeding along any info required im sure i can help.