Posts: 3
Joined: 10/6/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I was wondering if anyone knows anything about changing out the 6 cill 200 CC to a 289+ V8 in a 1966 Mustang Hardtop.
I have a chance to actually buy another '66 with a 302 in it (NOT original). My mustang IS ALL original as it sits now. But ive heard, and have found that the 6 is gutless, Im presently changing out the clutch (clutch bad?) It was pretty worn. But im wondering what I have to also change out to "Convert" my '66 to the 302 V8. Ive heard things like: Engine (Obviously) + transmission + drive train + rear end. But the one Im getting is automatic and the one i have is 3 speed. can I still keep my manual transmission? (its quite small, if that help identifing it) If anyone knows more details about this PLEASE let me know & feel free to email me too. Also If anyone knows where to get new parts would help too (catalogs, ect)..,...
Thanx
Posts: 317
Joined: 7/25/2003 From: United States Status: offline
Hello Bill and welcome to this great site. The swap is fairly easy. Make sure you also change out the front spinles to the 5 lug pattern the will hold up to the V-8 where the 4-lug style won't. How is it up there in Humbolt. I grew up in Eureka. As far as catalogs try califorina mustang. Mustang plus in stockton. there are many more do mustang parts search and you should find all kinds of info. The three speed tran will work but a 4 speed top loader would be by far better. There is a auto wrecker there in arcata. It is located By the intersection of 101 and 299 on the south east side along the frontage road. It next to the mill. They deal in old mustangs and other stuff. Check them out it has been awhile since I was there last, and not sure if they are still in business. Good luck and let know if you contact them.
Posts: 10
Joined: 9/6/2003 From: United States Status: offline
Hey bill i will be doing the same to my 64 mustang except i will be doing a 351w im just waiting to sell my firebird. once thats out of the way ill be starting on it
Posts: 3
Joined: 10/6/2003 From: United States Status: offline
Cool 67aquafastback! Im glad someone knows this area... Its changed alot. I dont think they're in bussiness anymore, That wrecking yard. The only one I know of is "Johns Autowrecking" on 101 (just before Eureka from Arcata - Before the bridge)and he has NOTHING mustang. As for the 5 lug, i was thinking about changing the front brakes to Disc brakes anyways (From a 79 - 82 Ford Galaxy????) So if that will work i can kill 2 birds with one stone and change out the rear too, to 5 lug. So I guess the next question is: Is another 66 mustang (the one i can get) worth $1000? for what I need from it? Im mostly interested in the interior..... BLACK LEATHER!!! but im not sure if i want to go through all the work of changing out anything like an engine, ect... Im not working right now (thats the main reason for the car, to look) so money is tight. as far as tools, those are no problem, i can get anything i need for free (engine hoist, ect) my father-in-law works at "Dons rental" (if you know where that is....) so i have "Conections" lol. Well let me know ASAP. ... What would you do if you were me?
For mdvaldosta, a 67 is alot like the 66, other then the body. mechanically its the same (from my understanding)
Posts: 3
Joined: 10/6/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I checked out that other '66 mustang. Its about in the same condition as mine, but runs. But for some reason I have a bad feeling.... But it has a 302 V8 & 5 lug rear and front (drum brakes all around) the body was OK, but still about as bad as mine. The interior was a let down! ITS NOT leather... it was died from the original aqua color, so forget that part. It also has rear lifters and IS automatic on the floor. I don't think im gonna go for it though for 2 reasons, $$$$ & I dont feel too good about it like the guy wasnt telling me the truth about whats wrong with it or something.
Posts: 18
Joined: 11/7/2003 From: United States Status: offline
dude DO NOT keep taht six cylinder 3 speed. my stang used to be a 6 with one of those peanut 3 speeds. they are pieces of s**t and arent sychronized at all. i would either get a C4 with a nice shift kit and stall, or get a 4 speed toploader.
Hi, I have spindles for disc brakes from a 71 ranchero and complete drum assys from a 67 mustang. Your trans must go but dont completely overlook the toploader 3 spd. I am running one behind a 289 and like it better than the 4 spd which happens to be on a shelf in the garage sorry tranny not for sale. since your car is already stick shift the engine swap is pretty straight forward but make sure you have the right flywheel and starter. Also the slip yoke on the drive shaft might have to be changed. I used one from a 67 on a 65 3 sp toploader and the output shaft was smaller by a little and the car wouldnt nove but I could turn the trans by hand That trans is no longer with us as i snapped the op shaft doing hole shots and later 3&4 spds have the larger diameter shaft. Also if you are going to run headers avoid cyclones because your throwout fork will be too long I had a shorter one and had to install it I dont remember what it was originally from though. These projects are always fun and always end up bigger than originally intended but youll end up with new suspension and brakes too.
Posts: 6
Joined: 11/11/2003 From: United States Status: offline
Yes, changing out a 200 I6 with the small block V8 is not particularly difficult at all. Been there... done that.
There are a couple of things you need to keep on your swap list:
Engine and the entire drivetrain should be transplanted. This is a simple unbolt and rebolt procedure.
I've not heard of anyone putting the 6 cylinder manual tranny up to the V8. I'd have to check my manuals to whether it would be up to the task. If you went that route, if it were feasible, would require some crafty U-joint selection to have the tranny yoke hook up to the beefier V8 driveshaft.
You need to be sure to swap out the engine mount brackets attached to the front subframe. The I6 mounts will not work with the V8.
You need to upgrade/swap the radiator. The I6 radiator will be short changing the V8 for cooling capacity.
As mentioned, you should upgrade the front brakes to the 5 lug spindle/drum setup to keep all the wheels matched and for the extra strength.
I've owned a 200 ci I6 can agree that it is a very anemic engine. There is no such thing as 'Performance' with that engine. All it can do is simply move the car around.
Posts: 3
Joined: 7/27/2003 From: United States Status: offline
i recently put a roller 302 in my 66 and went thru all the motions with ditching the I6. fairly easy job. i did ride around for a while with the 6 cyl. springs and it had a very nice stance. weight transfer to the rear wheels was good too. corners sucked though so now i have the 8 cyl springs.
Posts: 303
Joined: 11/17/2003 From: Connecticut,United States Status: offline
BillB, as stated by Wizbang, it's a relatively easy swap. However you will need a complete drivetrain(engine/trans/rear/driveshaft),frame and motor mounts,front spindles,V-8 radiator,alternator wiring,etc....Your 2.77 3-speed will not go to the V-8. The torque of it will destroy the tranny(if it could bolt on). You'll need to find the 3.03 V-8 3 speed,bellhousing,clutch assembly,flywheel, associated linkages. If you really want to hop up your six, try this website-www.fordsix.com. Those guys know how to do it, and it may cost less than doing the V-8 swap. I probably sound bias here(I like to keep cars as stock as possible) but why not try to acquire a drivable v-8 car instead, or if you're going to switch, keep(if possible) the six parts so there will be an option of going back to stock later-on down the line.
Printable Version
1966 Mustang, Change 6 Cill 20 - 
(NOT original). My mustang IS ALL original as it sits now. But ive heard, and have found that the 6 is gutless, Im presently changing out the clutch (clutch bad?) It was pretty worn. But im wondering what I have to also change out to "Convert" my '66 to the 302 V8. Ive heard things like: Engine (Obviously) + transmission + drive train + rear end. But the one Im getting is automatic and the one i have is 3 speed. can I still keep my manual transmission? (its quite small, if that help identifing it) If anyone knows more details about this PLEASE let me know & feel free to email me too. Also If anyone knows where to get new parts would help too (catalogs, ect)..,...
but im not sure if i want to go through all the work of changing out anything like an engine, ect... Im not working right now (thats the main reason for the car, to look) so money is tight. as far as tools, those are no problem, i can get anything i need for free (engine hoist, ect) my father-in-law works at "Dons rental" (if you know where that is....) so i have "Conections" lol. Well let me know ASAP. ... What would you do if you were me?
