I am taking a chance at ruffling some feathers here, but, why do some folks insist that an I-6 to V-8 conversion is difficult? I state this because prior to starting my current project I was nearly scared away from it before I began. For once, my hard head has worked to my advantage, I am glad I decided to do the project anyway. If you are a die hard restorer, nothing I say here matters you can stop reading now, because we are not on the same page of music. (ie: I do not believe thatany caris sacred,I believe thatit is okto modifyany car within the bounds of good taste.)
My Random Opinions:
1. Most I-6 Mestangs are cheaper, and generally in better shape than typical V-8 "builders"
2. All suspension and steering issues can be overcome with "bolt in solutions" available from the aftermarket, with the exception of V-8 spindles which I had no problems getting used over e-bay. These are simple bolt in solutions, NO fabrication is needed.
3. They dont make vintage Mustangs anymore, reasonably priced V-8s are rare, reasonably priced 6s areabundant.
4. Youmay be able to buy a bueatiful I-6 Mustang for much, much less than you can find a ratty V-8 Mustang.
5. For those of us who want to drive our cars, the k, or the j, or the whatever letter in the VIN that identifies an I-6 Mustang from a V-8 Mustang ismoot.
6.For what a person might save on body repairs on a V-8 Mustang, he might be able to buy lots of cool new mechanical parts to put in his I-6 conversion.
7. Most do it yourself mechanics are better at bolting stuff in than they are at welding in body panels and doing bodywork.
8. Most folks who advise against this conversion already have agood V-8 Mustang........
9. The conversion can be expensive, but, resurecting a beaten car from the dead is expensive too. Consider that many (or all?) of the new parts needed for a conversion may be needed on a V-8 resurection. When the purchase pricebetween a V-8 and I-6, and the amount of money saved on body and interior is factored into the total cost of a nice build, you might end up with a conversion beingnot only a cheaper car, but a nicer car that an orig V-8. (due to initial condition)
10. The negativityexpressed concerning conversions may be turning otherwise enthused Mustangowners or perspective ownersaway from the hobby, (take note vendors!) and they take their money with them.
Sorry,,, feeling a bit snotty tonight...
__________________
39 Ford Coupe,
408 Windsor
Tremec TKO 600
TCI Chassis
9" Track Loc.
Lots of Parts and Labor
No out sourcing of labor!
only problem i find is that the 6ers are about as ratty as the 8's and it seems to be pointless to switch from 6 to 8. if u want an 8 buy one, u can find em all the time and the upgrades u gotta do the the 6 to put a 8 in end up being more pricy than just buying an 8.
heck got mine for 7,200 and it was in pretty good shape, had a rebuilt 289, duel exhaust and they just put some new paint on it
__________________
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2590051
289 C Code
rebuilt: engine, tranny. grab-a-track suspension
engine pretty's and hooker comp headers
i wouldn't say it's hard, it's just that after you do everything you need to do to get the 8 in there you could have got a v8 car to start with and have money left over for other upgrades, now if your only options are an 8 that needs to be brought back from the dead and a 6 driver well then yes go for the driver, but really, when are those your only options.
__________________ 14 inch rusted Keystones, tired leaking 302, poorly applied custom landau top, wally world special audio system. It could always be worse, it could be a yugo!
Uh, for a "newbie", you sure are opinionated...! [:@]
Who me? I am not opinionated! just ask my wife.....
Ok, so I am opinionated.
On this issue I cant help but be opinionated. I have not found that this conversion is difficult, nor does it need to be prohibitively expensive.
I think that this subject is due a little balance. I have seen some folks here ask about this conversion have the idea completly shot down, most of the time,without reviewing exploring any of the options or circumstances.
I simply do not believe that the only answer to a question asking about this conversion is to "sell the I-6 and buy a V-8". There are certainly other options to consider. None the less, I seem to be the lone voice of acceptance for this procedure, but I am more than opinionated, I am hard headed too!
Best Wishes,
JMD
__________________
39 Ford Coupe,
408 Windsor
Tremec TKO 600
TCI Chassis
9" Track Loc.
Lots of Parts and Labor
No out sourcing of labor!
I am taking a chance at ruffling some feathers here, but, why do some folks insist that an I-6 to V-8 conversion is difficult? I state this because prior to starting my current project I was nearly scared away from it before I began. For once, my hard head has worked to my advantage, I am glad I decided to do the project anyway. If you are a die hard restorer, nothing I say here matters you can stop reading now, because we are not on the same page of music. (ie: I do not believe thatany caris sacred,I believe thatit is okto modifyany car within the bounds of good taste.)
My Random Opinions:
1. Most I-6 Mestangs are cheaper, and generally in better shape than typical V-8 "builders"
2. All suspension and steering issues can be overcome with "bolt in solutions" available from the aftermarket, with the exception of V-8 spindles which I had no problems getting used over e-bay. These are simple bolt in solutions, NO fabrication is needed.
3. They dont make vintage Mustangs anymore, reasonably priced V-8s are rare, reasonably priced 6s areabundant.
4. Youmay be able to buy a bueatiful I-6 Mustang for much, much less than you can find a ratty V-8 Mustang.
5. For those of us who want to drive our cars, the k, or the j, or the whatever letter in the VIN that identifies an I-6 Mustang from a V-8 Mustang ismoot.
6.For what a person might save on body repairs on a V-8 Mustang, he might be able to buy lots of cool new mechanical parts to put in his I-6 conversion.
7. Most do it yourself mechanics are better at bolting stuff in than they are at welding in body panels and doing bodywork.
8. Most folks who advise against this conversion already have agood V-8 Mustang........
9. The conversion can be expensive, but, resurecting a beaten car from the dead is expensive too. Consider that many (or all?) of the new parts needed for a conversion may be needed on a V-8 resurection. When the purchase pricebetween a V-8 and I-6, and the amount of money saved on body and interior is factored into the total cost of a nice build, you might end up with a conversion beingnot only a cheaper car, but a nicer car that an orig V-8. (due to initial condition)
10. The negativityexpressed concerning conversions may be turning otherwise enthused Mustangowners or perspective ownersaway from the hobby, (take note vendors!) and they take their money with them.
Sorry,,, feeling a bit snotty tonight...
my question to you is how much did you pay for the car and what was the total on the v8 swap parts
347 built and installed--6,000
complete suspension and steering kit (i installed)--900
currie rear end with disc brakes (i installed)--2,200
spindles--45
front disc conversion (easily installed)--1,200
performance AOD and all components--~2,400
owning a car that i built from the ground up--priceless
im probably close to 15,000 into my project and i dont think i could buy a v8 all with brand new parts for that much...
__________________
65 coupe
ford racing 340hp 302 roller block
600cfm edeldbrock w/ rpm intake
shorties, flowmasters-side exhaust
street/srip AOD
9' detroit locker w/ 4.11s, tubbed 4-link
ssbc disc brakes, shelby drop, 620s
Uh, for a "newbie", you sure are opinionated...! [:@]
Who me? I am not opinionated! just ask my wife.....
Ok, so I am opinionated.
On this issue I cant help but be opinionated. I have not found that this conversion is difficult, nor does it need to be prohibitively expensive.
I think that this subject is due a little balance. I have seen some folks here ask about this conversion have the idea completly shot down, most of the time,without reviewing exploring any of the options or circumstances.
I simply do not believe that the only answer to a question asking about this conversion is to "sell the I-6 and buy a V-8". There are certainly other options to consider. None the less, I seem to be the lone voice of acceptance for this procedure, but I am more than opinionated, I am hard headed too!
Best Wishes,
JMD
You sound as if you have been on this MF classic site for some time and have gathered enough information and opinions of this swap to make your statement. On the contrary, if you were to do a search, you will quickly realize that many of us on this forum have given detailed information on how to make the swap, and we have it prominently displayed in the FAQ section as one of our most frequently asked questions. So, please don't insinuate that all of us are against the idea of the conversion; we just point out the obvious parts that need to be replaced and the expense inherent to that swap, an expense which most of the time winds up being quite a bit more than just buying a V8 car from the get-go. It's not a negative answer as you insinuate, it is a truthful answer.
i bought my solid 65 v8 fastback for 5000 and have inver5sted another 10000 to get it to its current state
ive bought misc 65-73 cars over the last 5-6 yr in differet shapes from rust free to solid fro 150-1000$ so u just have to look around to get a deal on a v8 car
__________________
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. LUKE 22:36
And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. LUKE 22:38
It's not hard. It's money spent on the *upgrade* that could be spent in other areas. Instead of suspension, it could be spent in interior. Instead of rear end, it could be spent in floor pans ( which I don't care what model you look at, floors are gonna need addressed more likely than not ). etc...
The level of difficulty is in the hands of the owner. If someone is going to farm everything out, they'd be way ahead if they just got an already set up v8. If not, they'll spend money where it would otherwise be spent more wisely.
IMO, of course.
__________________
Force and Minds are oppisites; morality ends where the gun begins.
I-6 to V8 Conversion, It's not hard!
14 inch rusted Keystones, tired leaking 302, poorly applied custom landau top, wally world special audio system. It could always be worse, it could be a yugo!
