[dlofc]

well i traded my 91 f150 to my brother in law for his mustang II. i have been doing alot of research on the forums about the 1974. it sounds like a little bit of a chore to get a 302 into these things so i am going to dare to be diffrent and build the V6 that is in it. I know the parts are rarer but i like having something noone else has. so all that said my question is i need some websites that have performance parts for it. I am looking for around 190 hp or so nothing major enough to give some more umph to it. this is my first mustang as i normally prefer chevy. so some help would be nice.

[nigel]

I had a 89 Ford Thunderbird SC with a 3.8 V-6 that made around 238 hp. That setup with its 5 speed transmission had already will fit in a Mustang II that I found out after I sold the thunderbird. But the stock V-6s made close to what you are looking for.

[1978CobraII]

Originally Posted by nigel

I had a 89 Ford Thunderbird SC with a 3.8 V-6 that made around 238 hp. That setup with its 5 speed transmission had already will fit in a Mustang II that I found out after I sold the thunderbird. But the stock V-6s made close to what you are looking for.

The 2.3 made 90 the V6 only made 110. How is 80 horsepower away close?

[Ohgami]

The 2.8 is a VERY strong and Reliable Engine with awesome gas milage. Once you unleash all the constraints from it (i.e. smog pump etc) you'll notice a jump in power right away. I at one time used to have a V6 performance book as I was going to do a hop up on my 74 V6. I know Weiand made/makes a 4 barrel 2.8 V6 intake. Also the stock Ford Intake (which if I remember correctly is aluminum) can take almost any Holley 2 Barrel Carb. ALSO, this is a biggie and probably one of the 1st things you'll want to do, take the timing cover off and see if anyone has changed the timing gear at all. the Original ones had a combination Carbon/Metal main gear that deteriorated some what easily. There is an after market All metal one. I able to peel out with little effort with the stock motor. The car had no Catalytic converter (as yours should not as well) and there should be less other restraints on the motor than would be on a 75-78 V6 II.
Small anecdote about the 2.8. I was going to a Mustang Show one time and as I was going down the freeway I heard a "Chunk!" I was panicing and just pulled off and drove about 10-12 miles to return home. I got home and took the valve covers off thinking I had a problem with the lifters. I saw no damage so I waited a bit for my Father in law to wake up and then I started it up and drove it to his place another 3 miles. Got there and we pulled it into the garage. The damage? Snapped a Connecting Rod out the side of the block!! This engine ran on 5 Cylinders and NO oil for about 15 Miles and multiple stops and starts!!

I wish you the best on your Resto those really are V6s are a great engine.

[dlofc]

Thank you very much for the information now i know somwhere to begin

[Ohgami]

My bad it was an Offy Intake not a Weiand. It's been darn near 14 Years since I was going to Hop up my V6. But the Stock 2.8 I am almost Certain is Aluminum.

[dlofc]

So the stock intake will suffice for the 190ish range in horsepower. I have already located the carb I want. Who makes a mild cam for this motor. Other question is who makes a nice set of headers or will i need custom ? ty very much for your help thus far

[stang74shelby]

If you can get ahold of anyone in europe, there are a lot of hop up stuff, but in the states u got the offy 4barrel intake, use a holley 390 cfm 4 barrel on it, and they make long tube headers for the II with the V-6 also. Since the engine is already a solid lifter motor thats an advantage. there are also cams out there for em too. goodluck.

With the right combonation 200+ horse is very easy to get out of a 2.8.... i seen a turbo version in europe with 335 horse.... so a 4barrel, cammed, headered one in the states should hit maybe 250.

[Pepse3]

Well folks I am going to give some input here as I used to own the better car that used the 2.8L; Ford Capri. Anyway, dlofc, as is said the 2.8L is a very strong motor although the '74 motors were problematic as it was the first year of the 2.8L. As ohgami mentioned: rod through block; I heard that alot back then. If you are willing to start with a slightly better 2.8L get one from a '84 to '86 Bronco II, Ranger, or Aerostar. Bigger cam bearings (another weak point of the car 2.8L), and I am pretty sure the crank was strengthened. As for performance you could get ahold of Norm Murdock at www.teambltz.com or join the caprilist through Yahoo-groups. Norm more than likely has what you need for your motor, although it is spendy. By joining the list you might be able to get someone that might part with an Offy 360 4bbl intake. As for Norm he has been racing the Ford Capri since the '70's so his input would be very good. Norm only does emails no phone calls.

For what it's worth this is my first post. Also, in the past I had a '74 M II 2+2 - 2.3L 4sp, a '76 M II 2+2 - 2.3L 4sp, and a ''78 M II coupe 2.8L auto. And of course 6 Ford Capris.

Later. Pepse.

[74stang2togo]

ISKY Racing Cams - Do It Right. Race with the Legend. Camshafts, Connecting Rods, Valve Springs, Lifters

ISKY Racing Cams - Do It Right. Race with the Legend. Camshafts, Connecting Rods, Valve Springs, Lifters

There's two cams from Isky still available from the 2.8 sold separately, or there's several cam and lifter kits.

I find Isky's cam selection to be the best when dealing with less-popular applications.

[oldlugs]

If you up the compression, and cam the 2.8, you may also want to consider the Carter 400cfm AFB carburetor, I liked 'em better than the 390 Holley. BTW- those Offy "dual port" intakes for the 2.8 were a 2 piece intake, where you could change the top half with either the 4-barrel top, or use a top for the stock 2 barrel Holley/Ford/Weber carb. I used to run a 74 Capri with the 2.8 and the 4-barrel Offy intake, cheap headers from "Dobi", and a Mallory Unilite... The car ran pretty well, I thought.

[dlofc]

well i got my hands on a 78 2.8 liter. low mileage so i am going to use that. my wife (she's the one who holds the money..i just make it) said i could drop around 2 grand into the engine/trans. I have mulled over the v8 but just dont see where it is worth following th crowd when i would like to be original. so thanks all for the advice and keep it coming....to used to chevy's feel a lil wierd working on a ford.