Just bought a new 78 coupe for $ 150

Discussion in 'Mustang II' started by 78mustank, Jun 26, 2004.

  1. 78mustank New Member

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    Shes a beauty and only paid $150 for it. Need some info on v8 swap. Wondering if a early model (60's) 302 would fit in my 78 mustang II without any problems. :spot:
    78mustank, Jun 26, 2004
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  2. Dano78 Founding Member

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    If it's an original 302 car, piece of cake. If not, you'll have to collect the Mustang II specific V8 parts to GIT-R-DONE. :D

    Any Small block ford will fit in the II without much trouble. The exception is the 351W. To stuff one of those in you'll have to do alot of massaging. Otherwise the other smallblocks (221/255/260/289/302) are pretty much drop-in. At bare minium, you need at least the MII oil pan and pickup tube, motor mounts and frame stands, and radiator. Everything else can be substituted (as I did on mine)

    And then..... there the tranny stuff.... depending on if you wanna bang gears or not... :shrug:
    Dano78, Jun 26, 2004
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  3. 78mustank New Member

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    Really appreciate it! I was over looking the exaust manifolds too and am wondering how in the world am i going to put any tubular headers.

    Also have a 93 rear end lined up and have to figure out how to make it work.

    I am a chevy guy but love the mustangs and need all your guys expertise.
    78mustank, Jun 26, 2004
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  4. Dano78 Founding Member

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    IIRC Darrel put an 8.8 in one of his Mustangs, so he'd be the one to pester for the info. I see no wrong with the 8" and have been known to handle up to 450hp without any trouble. But like the 9" the parts for the 8.8 are cheap and easily accessible not to mention they are really strong units aswell. So it's a toss up.
    Yeah you may have to be stuck with factory manifolds unless you can weld or have someone modify a set of Headman's Mustang II V8 headers. As far as I can tell they are really close to fitting a T-5 bell but still will require refitting. Otherwise if you have a Mustang II specific Auto trans or 4 speed bellhousing, Headman and Hooker still make headers to fit the V8 in the II. :nice:
    Dano78, Jun 26, 2004
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  5. 78mustank New Member

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    Hey thanks i hope that the 8.8 holds up for me and i am going to weld the leaf spring bracket to the rear end to make it fit. The mustang II's are really light cars and i think this thing will fly.




    >Chevy 1983 diesel 6.2 turbo 1/2
    > Dodge 1964 powerwagon 3/4 318 ci
    > Chevy 1973 vega 350 ci
    > Ford 1978 mustang II 302 ci
    78mustank, Jun 26, 2004
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  6. 78mustank New Member

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    Will post pics when camera gets fixed!!!
    78mustank, Jun 26, 2004
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  7. 78mustank New Member

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    78mustank, Jun 26, 2004
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  8. Power Surge Founding Member

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    Carefull with EARLY small block Windsors, some of them used a different bolt pattern (5 bolt I think).
    Power Surge, Jun 26, 2004
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  9. Dano78 Founding Member

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    Yesssir... the 221/260/and 289ci up to mid-year 1965 used a 5 bolt bellhousing. The the rest of the smallblocks including the 351W and Cleveland used 6 bolt bellhousings. :nice:


    DAMN... You know, that think looks EXACTLY.. to a "T", like the '76 V8 coupe I had for a short time in Albuquerque. Same Color, interior, even same steering wheel and Wheels! SPOOKY. I'll tell ya, for a Frankin and a half, you did pretty damn good. I bought a '78 Ghia back in November for a Franklin and it doesn't look nearly as nice as yours. It's a Black on Black, V6, auto car too. Hell, 1/2 the V6 was in the trunk... :D See if I can find a pic...

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    Dano78, Jun 27, 2004
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