1966 Mustang Project.

MJTShowdown

MJTShowdown

Member
#1
#1
Hey guys. I drive (well not currently) a 1966 mustang coupe. Currently getting the car painted and some body work done. At the same time im building up the 289 (actually has 302 heads) to around 320 horsepower so it should have a little bit of power behind the wheels. Planning on putting some 3.43's and making the rear posi. Also putting on disc brakes and flowmaster exhaust. Heres a couple pics of the car. When we first got the car, the front valence was worn, so we bought a new one for 60 dollars and threw it on. In addition, we put in some seatbelts, and replaced all the worn emblems (going back on permanently after paint.) Aswell as these things, i'm also doing little things like replacing the steering wheel, got a new shift knob, and am completely redoing the interior. I'm getting the entire car repainted right now, everything including the engine bay. She was a little worn when we got her, but is looking a whole lot better now.

When we first got her





After cleaning up the wheels a bit



Interior Shots:





Not sure if many of you are BMW fans, but the car is getting painting Laguna Seca Blue with either two or a single alpine white stripe (can't make a final decision!)

Here is it just after some body work. (Removed all rust and lined up all the panels.)







Possible Stripe Idea



Right now the engine bay just got done being painted, and the engine is at the builder getting some new cams, carb and being completely rebuilt. The engine already has a malory ignition and headers, so at least a little work was done.

Thats it so far. Let me know what you think
 
MJTShowdown

MJTShowdown

Member
#2
#2
First question i have guys. What kind of modifications am i looking at if i want to put a 8.8 inch rear end out of a fox body in this. It seems to be the cheapest way to get posi and some bigger gears (looking for anywhere from 3.43 to 3.73). I would be buying the fox body rear end used.
 
ponyboy289

ponyboy289

Classic Mustang Guru
#3
#3
Hello and welcome,
Nice looking project you have going there. It's always nice to see another early car on the site. I've never done the 8.8 swap (I'm more of a "Period correct"/ 8 inch,9 inch guy) But from what I have heard the hot setup is the Explorer rear .Because they were 3.73 posi's with Disc brakes.Additionally they were leaf spring vehicles,so there isn't as much fabricating involved. Remember the Foxes were coil spring so you have the coil mounts,the trailing arms mounts,etc. To deal with. On the explorer rear I have heard that you have to remove and reinstall the spring mounts to get the Pinion angle correct.

That said if you come across the rear cheap and can do your own work I guess it could be a cheaper option? Although you could find gears and such for your current 8 inch and easily (not necessarily cheaply) build it to handle 400 - 500 horse.

Once again welcome to the site.

P.S. Please Make sure you order up an "Export" Brace.You don't want to drive the car around with no shock tower bracing installed(I'm sure you were addressing this already).I saw in the photos tower braces.One good pot hole and you'll shift a shock tower or something.
 
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MJTShowdown

MJTShowdown

Member
#4
#4
were talking about a like late 90s explorer am i correct? Because i was looking into those and couldn't find too many, well not nearly as many as there are fox body rear ends. The work is going to be done at my dad's friends shop, as i'm still learning about cars (brothers the real junkie and were doing this project together.)

And i'll definately be getting a export brace. Thanks for pointing that out!
 
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ponyboy289

ponyboy289

Classic Mustang Guru
#5
#5
Hello again,
I remember reading about the use of the explorer rears a while back,I'm pretty sure It was from the mid 90's 1995 to be specific.In addition to the other items I believe people also liked it because it is from a truck so they had heavier duty axles.I am sure a Fox rear could be used as well? I would imagine that either rear will require some modifying(cutting axles,axle tubes, installing proper spring perches at the correct angle,etc.) to make it work in an early stang.Like I said I never considered doing it ,the 8 and 9 inch rears that I use in my cars do a good job and they are relatively bolt in. That said you mentioned something about 320 Horse power in your car? An 8 inch rear that's in sound shape can handle that not problem.I had a friend several years back who bought a brand new 8 inch center from either Currie or Randy's ring and pinion he installed that in his stock housing with 28 spline axles,His car was running 400 plus horse (probably closer to 450) he has been driving and beating the heck out of the car for years,with no issue.
 
Mike65

Mike65

Mustang Nut.
#6
#6
Welcome to NYM, you can probably get some good gears for your 8" rear & not have the hassle of using the Explorer rear. I would also think about getting sub frame connectors. Looks good so far.
 
ponyboy289

ponyboy289

Classic Mustang Guru
#10
#10
MJTShowdown said:
does anyone know where i could purchase replacement chrome trim for my front windshield? I've been looking and i just can't seem to find it.
Click to expand...

I see in your "Before" Photos the car had them,Were They lost during the body work? Personally I would take used originals over new repos,The originals are stainless and clean up very nicely.Keep in mind that I do not own or a show car nor do I aspire to so I can over look a small blemish here and there.The new repos(made by Corvex) are not as well made as the originals,They are alot tinnier/thinner,I've heard alot of complaints about them denting very easily especially during installation.
 
MJTShowdown

MJTShowdown

Member
#13
#13
hey guys, its been a while. The cars still going along at a crawling pace. Looking for some new wheels to pick up, and have been eyeing some cragars. any personal favorites for you guys?
 
71 'Stang

71 'Stang

Well-Known Member
#18
#18
cragars, ansen sprint mags, or centerlines. thats my top 3 favorite wheels on a nice older mustang. ive seen a few of the newer style wheels on 60's stangs, and i think they can be done right, but alot of times guys just leave the suspension at the same height as they would with a 15 or 14 inch wheel and the damn thing looks like a 4x4!

--couple of pictures of my 71 with cragars, and an older one when i ran ansens out back
 
MJTShowdown

MJTShowdown

Member
#20
#20
Jimmys machine shop in Yonker, Ny did the work. He was referenced by the guy who did the paint, whom is a good friend of my dad. When we first got the car, it was misfiring and putting out no power. Jimmy's machine shop completely rebuilt the engine, put a comp cam in (can't remember the exact specs of it), replaced the gaskets, painted the block and redid the valve covers because they looked awful. When the block was stripped, he found that it actually has 302 heads. It was a light overhaul l and i hope it runs amazing. He's a real friendly guy and said that i can expect around 320ish hp which is fine for me in this light of a car.
 
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