[Smallstang]

Hi everyone!

Im new to the forum, and wanted to get some advice from you guys. After a long 3 month search, yesterday I finally purchased my new 1976 Mustang ii. I will include some pictures of it. But I have a couple of important questions. I do not have a lot of experience so Im looking for advice, but a good amount of general knowledge from research for my age (I am 17- new like I said). So here are my questions:

1. My dad is a ford mechanic and suggests we take off the smog pump. Is there anything specific you have to do to the carb once you take the smog pump off? I know you have to seal the lines off, but other than that?

2. What are your guys suggestions on what type of exhaust to put on it? I want to take off the muffler and catalytic converter, and want as much of a "throaty" sound as possible.

If there is any other general advice you have for me, please please let me know also. I want to gain as much info as possible.

I appreciate it, thank you!

 

[Smallstang]

Hi everyone!

Im new to the forum, and wanted to get some advice from you guys. After a long 3 month search, yesterday I finally purchased my new 1976 Mustang ii. I will include some pictures of it. But I have a couple of important questions. I do not have a lot of experience so Im looking for advice, but a good amount of general knowledge from research for my age (I am 17- new like I said). So here are my questions:

1. My dad is a ford mechanic and suggests we take off the smog pump. Is there anything specific you have to do to the carb once you take the smog pump off? I know you have to seal the lines off, but other than that?

2. What are your guys suggestions on what type of exhaust to put on it? I want to take off the muffler and catalytic converter, and want as much of a "throaty" sound as possible.

If there is any other general advice you have for me, please please let me know also. I want to gain as much info as possible.

I appreciate it, thank you!

 

[slorydn1]

Welcome to AFM!!

You would probably want to ask these questions in the Mustang II forum where people with the correct knowledge will be able to help you.

They can be found here: Mustang II Talk Forum | AllFordMustangs.com


That is a nice example of a Mustang II :bigthumbsup

 

[stlwagon]

Welcome aboard!

 

[05RedHorse]

Smallstang, My second Mustang was a 1977 II with a 2.8Lv6 and a 4 spd manual. I owned it for 10 years until my first daughter was born and an infant car seat was not going to fit in it. Have lots of good memories, it was a different time than now, car-wise.

That being said, you need to tell us what motor your new ride has under the hood : a 2.3L straight 4 (Y being the 5th digit in the VIN, 53% of '76s got one), the Cologne-German made 2.8L V6 (Z being the 5th digit in the VIN, 29% of the 76s got one) , or the Small Block Ford 302 v8 (F being the 5th digit in the VIN 18% of the 76's produced got one). If the car is original, you would have v8 emblems on the front quarter panels between the headlights and the wheel opening. Your pic doesn't show that, so I doubt you have a 302. I am not absolutely sure, but I think you have "mpg" emblems underneath the "MustangII" on the front qtr panels. If true, you have a late-model-year-production run car. According to "Mustang: The Complete History of America's Pioneer Ponycar" by Gary L. Witzenburg, page 147, yours would have a slightly modified 2.3 liter four cylinder engine and 3.18:1 rear axle ( instead of the usual 3.40:1 ) these cars were rated 34 mpg highway, 23 mpg city with a 4 spd manual, 30 highway/21 city with an automatic.

To be honest with you, I wouldn't bother changing from stock if you have the 4 or V6. You'll spend a lot of money, and it won't sound like a V8.
If you have a 302, you have options for the exhaust system. The stock setup was very quiet by todays' standards, and pretty sure it was just a single pipe. Headers, perhaps a custom exhaust setup ( I think $$$ ), and you'll have music to your ears.

Depending on your budget, and how original you want to keep the car, I say go searching the forums for what it takes to remove the 4 cyl. I think you have and put a 302 in her. Engine, trans, and rear end swap I think. Great father & son project and you will learn A LOT !

Good Luck ! Here's a useful link for you : http://www.mustangii.net/tech.asp

good.gif

 

[heavy metal]

Welcome to the site!! I moved your thread for a better response.

 

[Smallstang]

Smallstang, My second Mustang was a 1977 II with a 2.8Lv6 and a 4 spd manual. I owned it for 10 years until my first daughter was born and an infant car seat was not going to fit in it. Have lots of good memories, it was a different time than now, car-wise.

That being said, you need to tell us what motor your new ride has under the hood : a 2.3L straight 4 (Y being the 5th digit in the VIN, 53% of '76s got one), the Cologne-German made 2.8L V6 (Z being the 5th digit in the VIN, 29% of the 76s got one) , or the Small Block Ford 302 v8 (F being the 5th digit in the VIN 18% of the 76's produced got one). If the car is original, you would have v8 emblems on the front quarter panels between the headlights and the wheel opening. Your pic doesn't show that, so I doubt you have a 302. I am not absolutely sure, but I think you have "mpg" emblems underneath the "MustangII" on the front qtr panels. If true, you have a late-model-year-production run car. According to "Mustang: The Complete History of America's Pioneer Ponycar" by Gary L. Witzenburg, page 147, yours would have a slightly modified 2.3 liter four cylinder engine and 3.18:1 rear axle ( instead of the usual 3.40:1 ) these cars were rated 34 mpg highway, 23 mpg city with a 4 spd manual, 30 highway/21 city with an automatic.

To be honest with you, I wouldn't bother changing from stock if you have the 4 or V6. You'll spend a lot of money, and it won't sound like a V8.
If you have a 302, you have options for the exhaust system. The stock setup was very quiet by todays' standards, and pretty sure it was just a single pipe. Headers, perhaps a custom exhaust setup ( I think $$$ ), and you'll have music to your ears.

Depending on your budget, and how original you want to keep the car, I say go searching the forums for what it takes to remove the 4 cyl. I think you have and put a 302 in her. Engine, trans, and rear end swap I think. Great father & son project and you will learn A LOT !

Good Luck ! Here's a useful link for you : http://www.mustangii.net/tech.asp

good.gif

05RedHorse,

Thank you for the reply, and jeez you know your stuff! Haha, I apologize for not telling more of the specifications. Your absolutely correct, This is a 4 speed, 2.3 Inline 4 cyl model "Lima" engine. (Its just a wee baby)

Thank you for the advice on the exhaust systems. I wasnt sure what to do because of it being a 4cyl, I want it to be a little louder but nothing obnoxious.

I got a steal and bought the car for $1600, and have $1700 left to put into it but keep a steady 17 year old minimum wage job.

So what do you suggest about taking the emissions/pollution control systems off? Im having a little trouble with my carburetor (think it needs to be rebuilt) so I wanted to let the car breathe a little better. Is there anything I have to do to the carb after I take the controls off besides block the EGR valve and get a shorter belt to bypass where the smog used to be?

Also thanks for all the welcomes guys, and moving my question to get a better response. Its good to be a part of the forums!

 

[05RedHorse]

I'm not sure what you will do by removing the smog pump. I think you will just remove the parasitic drag of the pump on the fan belt. If my memory is correct, the 2.3 was the first post-1960's Ford engine with all the smog controls built INTO the engine ( the others had a basket of snakes in the way of hoses outside the engine with gizmos used to achieve lower emissions ).

My advice, start by rebuilding the carburetor. I test-drove a '77 with a 2.3 and I wouldn't buy it - was too slow for me - Southern CT has too many hills and limited-access highways with entrance ramps where you have to accelerate quickly. The 2.8 V6 was a little better, but was still slow - REALLY SLOW - by today's standards. Maybe you can try driving the car without the smog pump attached and see if it makes a noticeable difference ( I don't think it will ).

Think about dropping a 302 in her if you want to go faster, and sound throaty.

I was you back in 1975 with my '69 fastback with a 250 straight 6 in her, first car, my own money, working while going to college. What I should have done was kept my '69 and put a 302 in her. I am still kicking myself about it 39 years later ( I will be 58 this fall ).
And yeah, I LOVED THAT CAR, as I think you with with yours. Spend time with your Dad on it - memories for a lifetime. Mine, one in a million good man and great father, :wavey died way too early from cancer but I still remember how he taught me car maintenance and repair.

 

[Jthunder]

I have a 76 Cobra II that had the 2.3 and a 4 speed in it. I bought a ranger roller cam for it and it really made a difference in power and more fun to drive. for exhaust i had a glass pack on it.
I have since transplanted a 1988 turbo coupe 2.3 and 5 speed in it. It was a lot of work and time to do the swap but it is really fun to drive now!

John

 

[pdmustgt]

Mustang II is light car turbo 4cyl would wake it up. But my 76 CobraII is 302 4 speed car it now has 347 with T5