1966 Mustang-Restoration Question

2legit said:

ok so here we go
im 19 and for my 18th bday my dad got me a running 66 mustang, its a straight 6 c4-trany and runs pretty good(IM A FAST TYPE KID I WANTED A 302 :so) the interior is decent but the paint is really faded and looks like hell...but this is where i need your say on what to upgrade/restore first i have 1200 to put in what do you think i should get :headscratch:? im totaly confuesd i feel like a kid n a candy shop! haha thx for your time and your thoughts!

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well 1200 dollars wont get ya a nice paint job thats for sure.if it was me i would start the v8 swap.mine was a inline 6.it has a 289 which i just removed for a 421 stroker.or if you dont want to go that far you could swap rear gears for get up.i also am the fast type and am restoring my 66 but i think its better to do drivetrain first so you dont scratch your new paint while restoring the drivetrain.but thats just my .02

Dont think that a strait 6 cant make power. I believe there is a guy on modded mustangs.com where he made over 300 hp in a N/A 6 banger. A well tuned strait 6 in good condition can make decent power also. I would suggest tuning the motor and making sure its got good compression before you do anything to it.

It all depends on what kind of shape the car is in now. You first need to take suspension, steering components, and brakes into consideration. If that stuff isn't in good shape, there is no use in doing the rest. Then you want to do the engine stuff after that is taken car of, but 1200 won't get you far. you might could luck up and find a used engine that is in good shape to get you going.

the clutch and tranny was just replace and so way the rear end to a 8inch and also the gas tank:bigthumbsup i rly dont think i want to go to a v8 now im thinking to just get a really solid inline6 and be a lil diffrent from everyone else

Go to classicinlines.com, cliffordperformance.com, and fordsix.com. Those guys can help you out. classic inlines make special kits, and an aluminum head with a seperate intake manifold for either a 1 barrel, 2 barrel, or 4 barrel carburetor. Clifford Performance makes a dual exhaust manifold for the straight six, and ford six is a website dedicated to tuning and running ford six cylinders. I am keeping my six, but I am going to be upgrading it using classic inlines, clifford performance, and comp cams. Comp Cams make a high energy kit for the straight six that includes lifters, cam shaft, timing chain, valve springs, and pushrods.

Keep the 6 and build on that, get a paint job, and perhaps look at brake upgrads.

sweet i will do and ill be sure to take befor an after pix to post :bigthumbsup

ok i been thinking and it looks like i want to get a good tune up and some headers and exhaust done but im not sure could i get dule pipes for a straight six?

You can run dual exhaust tips out the back if you wanted the look.

2legit, the company Clifford Performance makes a dual exhaust header for the Ford Straight Six, then you can use any of the 1965 or 1966 289 dual exhaust systems on the six. You just to have to remember to change the rear driver brake line from rubber to steel so the exhaust won't melt it.

primary concern is always making sure the engine is decent enough running condition. Drive the inline 6 for now. Purchase a used 289 or 302 block and build it yourself (This will teach you how to work on your car, and will save you a million bucks!) and then when you've got the engine built up you can swap out the engine and sell the inline 6 to specialty shops like Mustang Ranch, or Snow White's Hot Rods here in Fresno, CA.

But primary concern is always the running condition of the engine. No point in having a sexy car if it can't start or run! I don't care how nice a car looks, if it doesn't run good than it's crap.

Faith No More said:

primary concern is always making sure the engine is decent enough running condition. Drive the inline 6 for now. Purchase a used 289 or 302 block and build it yourself (This will teach you how to work on your car, and will save you a million bucks!) and then when you've got the engine built up you can swap out the engine and sell the inline 6 to specialty shops like Mustang Ranch, or Snow White's Hot Rods here in Fresno, CA.

But primary concern is always the running condition of the engine. No point in having a sexy car if it can't start or run! I don't care how nice a car looks, if it doesn't run good than it's crap.

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Oh, then I'm screwed either way.LOL:hihi: My car looks like crap and it doesn't run.