Ignore this post


Registered: February 2001
Location: Cowtown

The 6-to-8 Swap FAQ

Another entry in a continuing series of Frequently Asked Questions answered by your friendly neighborhood Mustang fanatics.

The I6 to V8 swap is a common one, so lets knock out all the pitfalls and concerns facing the swappers.

My first entry: Its more than a driveline issue.
6 cyl cars were made with lighter duty parts all the way around. This includes the brakes, suspension, rear end, transmission, just about everything. These parts will have to be upgraded to V8 parts. This will also give you 5 lug wheels for the 65-66 cars, instead of the stock 6 cyl 4 lugs.

My knowlege is focused mainly on 65-66 cars, so lets hear from everyone, including the 67-73 guys too.

__________________
66 Fastback-> 289 4bbl / Black, Red interior / C4 auto
96 GT-> Lotsa bolt ons / Black, Black Leather / 5 spd
96 V6-> Wife's car / Pacific Green, Grey interior / stock / 5 spd

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64 1/2 convertible: "stock as a rock"


Registered: May 2000
Location: Tacoma, WA USA

Given Blake's comments (above), the six to V-8 swap is best accomplished using a V-8 donor car as a parts source. The alternative is to spend even more money and time chasing needed parts for the conversion.

To ignore the need for V-8 specific parts is to create a dangerous and poor handling car.

__________________
SuperDave's timeless wisdom:

1- "Rust never sleeps!"
2- "Given enough time and enough money, anything is possible."
3-"Never say a job is easy until after you have finished it."
4- "Cheap ain't good and good ain't cheap."
5- "Just because a part is "new" doesn't mean it is good: VERIFY it!"
6- "Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance:PPPPPP
7- "When in doubt, RTFM! (read the FORD manual)
8- "A little Bondo and a little paint can make a Mustang what it ain't."

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1967 Coupe


Registered: January 2002
Location: Colorado

Blake, I wouldn't try to downplay this one. There is a lot of time, work and cash involved in the swap. It can be cost effective to get a donor car like SD stated. The main thing to remember is like previously stated on so many occasions is that someone just can't loosen the motor mounts, yank the I out and slap in a V.

__________________
Awesome Metallic Candy Apple Red, 2V-289, C-4,Styled Steel Wheels and BFG Radial TA's,Everything
else...restored stock. Daily driven Parade Car

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Ignore this post


Registered: February 2001
Location: Cowtown

quote:

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Originally posted by Ozsum67
Blake, I wouldn't try to downplay this one.

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67, 65 mustang coupes


Registered: September 2001
Location: HAHA I escaped fricken new mexico!!! I am an Oregonian now

the way i see it is that most of the cars need to have the suspension replaced due to wear anyways. usually the steering as well.

so that part is pretty much a no brainer.

then if you find a donor granada for the rear end and front spindles its not to big of a pain.

does the driveline need to be changed? how about the fuel line?

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1967 Coupe


Registered: January 2002
Location: Colorado

Let's not forget the cheesy little 1 holer master cylinder replacement and all it's components.

__________________
Awesome Metallic Candy Apple Red, 2V-289, C-4,Styled Steel Wheels and BFG Radial TA's,Everything
else...restored stock. Daily driven Parade Car

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3 Lincolns,7 Stangs, Majic Bus


Registered: November 2002
Location: Cape Cod, Ma.

ALL TRUE....

But keep in mind, you don't have to do the full change over all at once either. As long as you realize your driving a 6cyl car with too much power, and your careful. You can leave the 6 cyl front end in it. I've never weighed them, but I'll bet the 302 isnt much heavier than the 6. Just remember what you have and don't abuse it..

Worth

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1967 Coupe


Registered: January 2002
Location: Colorado

Worth makes a good point. You could limp it around, but who would want to?

__________________
Awesome Metallic Candy Apple Red, 2V-289, C-4,Styled Steel Wheels and BFG Radial TA's,Everything
else...restored stock. Daily driven Parade Car

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64 1/2 convertible: "stock as a rock"


Registered: May 2000
Location: Tacoma, WA USA

quote:

---

Originally posted by SuperDave

To ignore the need for V-8 specific parts is to create a dangerous and poor handling car. [/B]

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Doesn't that say it guys?

__________________
SuperDave's timeless wisdom:

1- "Rust never sleeps!"
2- "Given enough time and enough money, anything is possible."
3-"Never say a job is easy until after you have finished it."
4- "Cheap ain't good and good ain't cheap."
5- "Just because a part is "new" doesn't mean it is good: VERIFY it!"
6- "Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance:PPPPPP
7- "When in doubt, RTFM! (read the FORD manual)
8- "A little Bondo and a little paint can make a Mustang what it ain't."

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1967 Coupe


Registered: January 2002
Location: Colorado

quote:

---

Originally posted by SuperDave
Doesn't that say it guys?

---

Pretty much Dave. Of course, he could just roll the dice. The question you have to ask yourself....Do you feel lucky???

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64 1/2 convertible: "stock as a rock"


Registered: May 2000
Location: Tacoma, WA USA

SD, speaking from his accustomed soapbox:

"Many of those who comtemplate "the swap" are looking for performance. That means driving the converted car HARD. Couple that with a lack of experience and funds and you have the receipe for MANY problems and disappointments."

See SuperDave's "timeless wisdom" #6 (below)

__________________
SuperDave's timeless wisdom:

1- "Rust never sleeps!"
2- "Given enough time and enough money, anything is possible."
3-"Never say a job is easy until after you have finished it."
4- "Cheap ain't good and good ain't cheap."
5- "Just because a part is "new" doesn't mean it is good: VERIFY it!"
6- "Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance:PPPPPP
7- "When in doubt, RTFM! (read the FORD manual)
8- "A little Bondo and a little paint can make a Mustang what it ain't."

Last edited by SuperDave on 12-02-02 at 01:14 PM

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1967 Coupe


Registered: January 2002
Location: Colorado

That goes along with buying the parts one at a time (as they break)

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Mr. Bubs says YAY!!! for YOU!!!!


Registered: October 2001
Location: Still riding the '73 mach1 w/ the mafia in AL

these are a good idea, how about after a few of the faq's get big, 2bav8 make a sitcky, or make some link that lists all the faq's this board has done?

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1967 mustang


Registered: February 2002
Location: North Carolina

64 1/2 -66 cars have alot of different suspension parts that need to be changed and are very costly. 67 and later share almost everything except the spindles out,(5 lug vs. 4 lug and brakes). Springs also have a higher rate for V8 cars and sometimes a bigger sway bar.

As for small parts, consider you might need a new radiator, hoses, senders for temp. and oil,mods to ehaust since now you have two sides vs. one, brackets and pulleys if you didn't get them with the donor engine.

If you do upgrade to five lug, you will need a complete rear end that probably needs a brake rebuild at least. Same for the frt. brakes.

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1968 Mustang Cpe / 2001 Mustang GT Conv.


Registered: September 2001
Location: Allen, TX

I agree with MustangDave.
There are a lot of differences with a 65-66, but 67-68 share most of the components.
I am currently putting a 302 in my prev. I-6 1968 Mustang.
My brother-in-law is a mechanic and is doing this for me in his spare time, so it is taking a few months. I don't mind as long as it is done right!
I got all of the accessories and brackets from the donor car, but it came out of a ford truck, so they are having to fab some of the brackets to make them fit under the hood.
I will need to replace the springs for sure. And the shocks were ready to be replaced anyways.
I will be putting in front disc brakes and a 9" rear this spring/summer.
I will definately do this before it is driven much.

__________________
2001 Mustang GT Conv.
1968 Mustang Coupe (302 w/ mild cam, electronic distributor, dual exhaust w/ 2-chamber flowmasters)

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1965 mustang coupe


Registered: December 2001
Location: PIMP JUICE

this qualifies as a swapper thread

SWAPPER

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Ignore this post


Registered: February 2001
Location: Cowtown

Please ignore.

I'm just making sure this FAQ doesn't get wiped from the archives due to inactivity.

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