conflicted...take two...

[gearhead71]

Ok, I've gotten conflicting stories. I purchased a 68 Coupe that was a basket case. I then purchased a 61 T-bird for engine and tranny. That's where it gets flaky. Will the 390 from the thunderbird fit (with out modification) into my pony? I've been told the shock towers will need to "modified"...is this true?
Some help on this would be greatly appreciated...

 

[shoguun]

i believe it should fit fine. 67 and up had big blocks. 66 and down could only have small blocks cause the engine bay was not big enough. If you put a modular motor in like a 5.4 or 4.6 you will have to remove the shock towers

 

[gearhead71]

Thanks shogun! I've tried in vain to explain this to my father in law. But he had me second guessing myself. As far as V-8 suspension parts...Correct?

 

[96 DOHC Cobra]

You'll have to change te oil pan. The T-Bird pan will interfere with the steering linkage in the Mustang. You'll also have to swap the heads and exhaust manifolds. The T-Bird's won't work and can't be modified to work in a Mustang.

 

[bocksta]

96 DOHC Cobra has it right . The exhaust ports on the heads of the t-bird 390 are different .

 

[D.Hearne]

You'll have to change te oil pan. The T-Bird pan will interfere with the steering linkage in the Mustang. You'll also have to swap the heads and exhaust manifolds. The T-Bird's won't work and can't be modified to work in a Mustang.

The T bird pan will work, it'll simply limit the turning radius slightly. I used a 6 qt pickup truck pan and a 428CJ windage tray in my 67 with a 390 and later a 427. What he's going to have issues with is the early 390 block's 2 bolt motor mount holes (vs 4 holes in the later blocks in the Stangs) and the vertical exhaust bolt hole pattern of the heads (vs the Stang/Fairlane 390's and the 428CJ's 16 bolt heads)

 

[65FBE2]

Other than the fact that you already have it. Why would you put a 390 pig in a 68 Mustang? Not a lot of power, bad mpg, car will handle like a lead sled. I would take it to the yard and trade it for a good 351w.

 

[D.Hearne]

Other than the fact that you already have it. Why would you put a 390 pig in a 68 Mustang? Not a lot of power, bad mpg, car will handle like a lead sled. I would take it to the yard and trade it for a good 351w.

Obviously you've never had a 390.

 

[GDTrumbo]

I drove a friends rare '69 Mustang GT w/ 390GT auto years ago. It was a bit difficult to hang onto. In a straight line a 351W or Cleveland would not touch it.

GT

 

[shoguun]

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

bullit 390

 

[68RCodeConv]

You can solve the exhaust issue with the right set of conversion headers. FPA makes some but they are not cheap. The tranny will not work - the tailshaft is different and thus the tranny is the wrong length.

Plus the accessory brackets may not work either. IMO this swap is not worth the effort. Better to invest in a 351W or stroked SBF. You can make just as much power without all that effort.