Author Topic: 65-66 Mustang (Read 10303 times)

Chrisss31 · « **on:** November 06, 2015, 08:20:31 PM »

Anyone running an FE in a 1965-66 Mustang? I have a 66 fastback, I want to do a little shock tower reduction surgery and shoehorn one in there. Not getting any support on the Mustang forum!http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/Smileys/default/rolleyes.gif

jayb · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2015, 08:21:36 PM »

An FE in a 65-66 Mustang is an awesome combination; go for it! Wish I had one...

BH107 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2015, 12:42:31 AM »

I'm with Jay... Great combo and I would love to build a 65 A/FX style mustang someday.

GJCAT427 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2015, 05:44:01 AM »

A buddy of mine did one yrs ago. It wound up as a gasser he left the 289 emblems on it and streeted it. As I recall it was a 427 with a 4 speed. This was in the late 70s, so no kits were avialible . Car ran well but was a handful.

ScotiaFE · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2015, 07:03:00 AM »

Alan who hangs out here has a Coupe with a 427 I believe.
Of course photo's and videos are always welcome.
Which Mustang Forum?

http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=1049.msg9009#msg9009

john a · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2015, 08:36:27 AM »

I have an fe in a 63 Futura. Shock towers removed, tubuler a arms, all kinds of room.
I say go for it.

John

Chrisss31 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2015, 09:12:36 AM »

Yes some photos would definitely be helpful! The Vintage Mustang Forum, don't want to knock them over there because there is a lot of goof information, but any mention of changing the front suspension is blasphemy. Same goes for any non-Windsor engine. There have to be quit a few people who have done it, but there is surprisingly little information available. There are some parts available, motor mounts, oil pans etc. but not as much as you would think. I'll probably have to make most the small stuff myself.

turbohunter · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2015, 11:06:21 AM »

I'm right in the middle of that very thing on my '66 fastback.
Blew the shock towers out and installed a custom front end from Scott's hot rods.
Have done a lot of subframe connection and beefing up.
About to get the tin work finished. But have been working on a Fairlane at the same time.
I'm a masochist.
BTW I'm with you. It's my car I'll do what I want. As long as it's not a historically significant car, all is fair.
Away from home at a wedding right now. Will post some pics if you want.

Chrisss31 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2015, 11:08:41 AM »

Pictures would be awesome!!

427Fastback · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2015, 01:29:45 PM »

I am doing a 66 Fastback right now that is getting a 428CJ and a 4spd..I put a heidts crossmember in it and then performed massive surgery on the towers..It will have the stock export brace back on it..It also has a sectioned rad cradle in to use a 67/68 BB rad and use the stock BB rad mounts.Everything under the hood will look stock but it wont be....
This pic is a few months old..engine bay is finished now and I have the car off the rottiserie and am starting assembly..

Chrisss31 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2015, 04:19:07 PM »

What did you do to the radiator support? Did you just cut the opening bigger, or use the radiator support out of a 67? Are you going to run the battery in the trunk to make room for the bigger radiator? Nice job!

turbohunter · « **Reply #11 on:** November 07, 2015, 10:24:06 PM »

Here's the engine room in mine Chris. Ask away.

427Fastback · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2015, 11:32:21 PM »

Rad cradle is a oem ford one that I had here.Only the rad opening area was sectioned in.I left the stock battery tray in place but it had to be shortened.Should fit a stock size battery barely.I changed the battery box to use the 67/68 style battery clamp..It should work.Lower rad mounts are 68 BB ones that I modified.

Each shock tower was cut into about six or 8 pcs and heavily modified.I even got the big dent in the right side tower to line all back up again...It is a huge amount of work..

Chrisss31 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 08, 2015, 07:44:13 AM »

I see you both went with the Mustang II set up, I'm leaning toward struts but that shouldn't change things too much. What did you guys do to stiffen the car up, front torque boxes, one piece seat pan, frame connectors or convertible rockers? You both going to run the teardrop hood?

machoneman · « **Reply #14 on:** November 08, 2015, 09:28:23 AM »

I say stretch it and make it a Batcar!

http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum/bangshift/general-discussion/12171-1965-a-fx-mustang

turbohunter · « **Reply #15 on:** November 08, 2015, 09:36:48 AM »

I went through a somewhat extensive sub frame reinforcement using an old Total Control brace as the base.
I pretty much left the norm behind and installed air bags. The handling technology in the bag systems has really come around and I was curious so I pulled the trigger.
As far as the rad support, I will fab what is needed.

427Fastback · « **Reply #16 on:** November 08, 2015, 11:29:21 AM »

I welded in CE frame connectors and put in some traction master rear bars..Car will be 100% street driven..Engine is stock other than a 268H cam and dual quads..It will even run CJ exhaust manifolds.

machoneman · « **Reply #17 on:** November 08, 2015, 12:09:20 PM »

Quote from: 427Fastback on November 08, 2015, 11:29:21 AM

I welded in CE frame connectors and put in some traction master rear bars..Car will be 100% street driven..Engine is stock other than a 268H cam and dual quads..It will even run CJ exhaust manifolds.

So 427, how do you like the traction masters? Equal to the old Lakewood style bars? Better? How did they affect the street ride?

I also have welded-in CE square tube frame connectors on my now street driven '70 Mach 1 but have wondered if the TM bars would clear the rear portion of the connectors.

427Fastback · « **Reply #18 on:** November 08, 2015, 01:00:21 PM »

I have always used CE style connectors as they are easy to install and quite simple.I use TM bars because I like how simple they are and they have the nostalgic look.Sometimes I make them and sometimes I use store bought ones..
I do modify them tho...I cut the front off and put adjustable ends on them..I make a threaded insert for the bar,shrink it in and tig weld it (on stock TM bars)I also toss the front mount and make my own mount.I don't like the single shear stock mount..
Summit sells a nice rod end that is 3/4 NF thread and a 5/8 bore..I cant comment on how well they work as I haven't played with other bars..The cars I build are all street cars..
The 66,67 and 68 all have these bars on them and all have CE frame connectors..
Here is a pic of my front mount with the CE connectors

machoneman · « **Reply #19 on:** November 08, 2015, 02:13:11 PM »

Got it and thanks...for the how to and pic!

427Fastback · « **Reply #20 on:** November 08, 2015, 03:04:00 PM »

Here is what I do to the rods...This set used a deep 3/4nf nut machined to fit inside the bar then welded on..These rod ends have been narrowed to 1 1/2 wide to suit a previous build.The rod ends are 1 3/4 wide when purchased..

Chrisss31 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2015, 10:05:44 PM »

Question about motor mounts. If I were to go the route of notching the shock towers/eliminating the upper control arms etc. and used a stock type motor mount, will the 67-68 mounts work? I know there were differences in height over the years, but some part numbers are common from 65-70 for a 289, so do you think the big block mounts will work in the earlier cars?

machoneman · « **Reply #22 on:** December 04, 2015, 07:33:11 AM »

machoneman · « **Reply #23 on:** December 04, 2015, 07:34:50 AM »

IIRC, some other folks said they did. Further, it's more a matter of getting the correct combo of engine mount and the frame mount to get the right engine height. Perhaps someone else here can comment if they have had luck with specific Ford part numbers. Adjustable and not cheap mounts are now available to help when engine swapping or to allow better header fitment.

http://www.american-mustang.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_178&products_id=5119&zenid=fvposd21dhb4curq1hjt4ff9k3

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Author Topic: 65-66 Mustang (Read 10303 times)