Couple Questions on Classic Mustangs

[86hybridGT]

1) Looks like I will be picking up a 68 coupe. In my research, I have seen some engines chained to the frame. What is up with that? I have a 500hp 302 I wanted to drop in it. Am I going to need to chain down the motor?

2) Exhaust - on the newer fox's and sn95's, it is east to purchase a bolt on system configured in many different ways. I dont see any options like this for the classic mustangs. Will I need to take it to an exhaust/muffler shop to have a new exhaust welded in?

3) I think I will need to replace the wiring in the car. Has anyone here done it? Is this a big deal? Any suggestions about where to pick up the wiring harness(s)?

 

[woodsnake]

1. "need" to chain it down? Maybe not need, but at 500 hp, a good idea.
2. Yes, take it to an exhaust place and have it welded up. 2 1/2 inch pipe is fine.
3. Why do you think it needs new wiring? There are several vendors that sell replacement harnesses if you need one. Mustangs Plus comes to mind, there are porbably others.

 

[86hybridGT]

I found some info on installing a 'torque strap'. Does not look like a big deal.

As for the wiring, the car is pretty worn out and looks like it spent a considerable number of years outdoors. There is virtually no rust on the car now, but someone has already addressed that with new sheet-metal. And given that the car is 42 years old, I would think that some new wiring might be needed. I might be jumping to conclusions a little early, maybe the wiring is ok. The car does not run, so I am making assumptions.

 

[robbz28]

The torque strap just keeps the engine from twisting too much, too much flex = loss of torque and horsepower. You can "chain" the engine down or you can buy some good polyeurethane motor mounts and achieve good results.
As for the exhaust, there are several bolt on kits, but none are truly a "bolt on" flowmaster, pypes, summit, jegs all make a mustang kit, but your exhaust shop will have to make the connections unless you are handy with a welder and such.
I bought a painless 67-68 mustang wiring harness and it was a breeze to put in, don't sweat the wiring at all. It has been one of the best upgrades I have done.
Thats my 2 cents...

 

[86hybridGT]

Where did you get your wiring harness?

 

[robbz28]

Well, there is one downside to the painless harness, the price is a bit painful, 625 bucks. I lucked up and found one on ebay a guy was selling that he didn't need anymore, and i picked it up for just shy of 500 bucks. Anyway, here is a link to the kit.

Painless Wiring 20121 - Painless Performance 1967-68 Mustang Chassis Harnesses - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

[tx65coupe]

I recommend reproduction wiring that has the correct connections and is pre-terminalized.

How is that 302 making 500 hp? Is it blown, stroked, etc?

 

[86hybridGT]

My signature shows the motor. Its a 347 with fully ported heads (flow 320cfm) and intake, custom ground cam. Was going into my 94, but looks like the 68 will get the motor with some sort of carb setup now.

 

[65coupe408w]

1) Looks like I will be picking up a 68 coupe. In my research, I have seen some engines chained to the frame. What is up with that? I have a 500hp 302 I wanted to drop in it. Am I going to need to chain down the motor?

2) Exhaust - on the newer fox's and sn95's, it is east to purchase a bolt on system configured in many different ways. I dont see any options like this for the classic mustangs. Will I need to take it to an exhaust/muffler shop to have a new exhaust welded in?

3) I think I will need to replace the wiring in the car. Has anyone here done it? Is this a big deal? Any suggestions about where to pick up the wiring harness(s)?

1) I have a 408w pushing about 500hp in my 65...I do not have my motor chained down. As previously suggested using a good set of urethane motor mounts should do the trick, thats what I have.

2) As for exhaust I know Magnaflow does a 2 1/2 and 3inch kit for these cars, I hear it fits really well and it comes with an X pipe. You do need some one to weld it up to the headers though.

3) you can use the painless harness to rewire the whole car if needed or most the factory harness' are available from vendors like CJ Ponyparts and they really dont cost that much. I think most the engine bay wiring for my 65 runs about $50 from them.... Good luck I hope this info helps!

 

[65FBE2]

I have rewired two cars in the last 2 years, just get the factory reproduction harnesses, they fit and are very easy to install. Most of the time the underdash harness is in good shape so just replace the ones that need it.
Motor mounts, I just drill a hole thru them and put a 5/16 bolt with a self locking nut on them. This limits the amount of motor flex and still allows some movement. I drag raced a car for 10 years with this trick and never broke a mount

 

[robbz28]

I like that motor mount trick you mentioned there, My mounts are in rough shape, I might have to give that a try....

 

[68RCodeConv]

Here's an easy way to keep a stock motor mount from breaking. Drill a hole all the way through it. Put a bolt with a self locking nut through the hole. Leave about 1/8" of slack in the nut. This allows the mount to give but even if the rubber breaks it can't come apart.

 

[67rcks]

spend $600 on something else, OE wiring is well done on these cars, simple and easy to customize e.g. for ignition box, el. fan etc.

 

[2+2GT]

1) Looks like I will be picking up a 68 coupe. In my research, I have seen some engines chained to the frame. What is up with that? I have a 500hp 302 I wanted to drop in it. Am I going to need to chain down the motor?

68RCodeConv is quite right about the bolt. Or if you need new ones anyway, just use 73 motor mounts. Indestructable.

2) Exhaust - on the newer fox's and sn95's, it is east to purchase a bolt on system configured in many different ways. I dont see any options like this for the classic mustangs. Will I need to take it to an exhaust/muffler shop to have a new exhaust welded in?

You're kidding. There are dozens of bolt-in systems for these cars. 2", 2.25", 2.5", H-pipe, X-pipe, mufflers- transverse, inline, 180°, turbo, Flowmaster, Arvinode, variable loudness…

3) I think I will need to replace the wiring in the car. Has anyone here done it? Is this a big deal? Any suggestions about where to pick up the wiring harness(s)?

spend $600 on something else, OE wiring is well done on these cars, simple and easy to customize e.g. for ignition box, el. fan etc.

Too right. The factory wiring is available new if yours is hosed. Excellent and easy to install.

Download this catalog and do some reading. There are a lot of them, this is a good place to start.
http://www.mustangbarn.com/catalog.pdf