OH..... I soo can't believe we did this..... Us, who have always been GM loyalists.....I almost feel like a traitor.....the only saving grace is that this newest money pit is 40 yr old American muscle.

A 69 Mustang Grande. Has the original 290 hp 351w (what the heck is that???? LOL), that runs and doesn't sound bad, (little bit of lifter noise from the left bank) and a 3 sp auto trans. It's a driver but definately needs work. We don't know jack about the old Fords. The only Fords we've ever owned were an 85 tempo (we were young and had little kids), and our current camper hauler, '00 F250 4x4. But I guess an old carburated car is like any other, right? And that we know about. Body is in really good shape for a 40 yr old. Minimal rust in the trunk and the tail panel and none in the quarters or doors.

Told hubby to put the Poncho 400 thats sitting in the garage in it. Then at least we could have a Pontiac in drag. He just rolled his eyes at me. Then I told him that I would never drive it. But I know I will. I won't be able to resist. Love me an old American car, they just don't make them like that anymore. You know the ones...all metal and when you shut the door it sounds like you shut the door?

I know how much $$ we put into restoring the Firebird and I can hear the wallet groaning as I write this.

Wish us luck.

 

If you pull out that 351 Windsor motor you'll have no reason to own that Mustang. That motor has got to be one of the best motors for racing ever built. That block is pretty much indestructible.

 

AGREED!!! Keep that motor in the car, you'll thank us later. Not to mention aftermarket parts are pretty much endless

 

put a 383 in it and get a bumper sticker "Built Ford tough with Chevy stuff"

 

whats wrong with the 351c?

 

It doesn't have the 351 Cleveland, it's got the Windsor. Either way though, don't replace it. There is NO good reason to unless it's blown. You already said it runs though, so don't replace it.

To me a 351w is better than an LS1. Why? Because they have the same level of aftermarket goodies, but the block is much much stronger than an LS1.

 

No worries. I am a gm guy, but classic is classic. I own a 1956 Ford F100 big back window. I need to go get it. It will need to be fully restored.

 

I prefer GM, but I'm a car guy. I say keep the 351 Windsor in it.

And not just because I live in Windsor. It is a great engine with tons of stuff available for it.

 

Glad to hear you got another classic saved from the crusher. And if you want something REALLY hot to put in it, I have a c0-worker that has several old Cobra Jet engines, 427s, 428, etc.

 

Well, since the car is an original 2 owner car with the exception of the front seats, we'll probably leave it as is. We are saving that 400 for something special anyway. Just not sure what yet. Although I will pass on the info on the CJ engines to hubby. Thanks Wayne.

We got a smoking deal on the Mustang, $1k, so it should be easy to make our money back if we decide to sell it down the road. Which we probably will after we do some work to it, give it a little love and of course drive it a bit.

I've been doing some research on the 351's and the Mustangs. The parts will be much easier to find and cheaper to replace than they were on the 455 Firebird. That's a relief. I'm just not sure if I'm ready for another car teardown and rebuild right yet.