67 Fastback Engine

[zonkwilliams]

I am the proud owner of a 67 Red Fastback with 93,000 miles on the original 289 V-8. The C-4 transmission is also original. Both are very tired and I am in the position of either rebuilding the 289 leaving it stock along with the C-4 or buying from Ford Racing a 302 long block and mating it with something like a streetfighter auto. My question is what will happen to the overall value if I choose either path? What is driving me on this is the "fun" factor if I choose to use the 302 setup but I am not so tunnel blind to also see the value of leaving it stock.
Thoughts, feedback, ?

[Phillyfanfrombirth]

I'm a believer that if you are concerned about the value, keep it stock.

Sort of like wallpapering a house, the further away from a neutral color, the fewer people that it will appeal to... and the less likely that you will be able to get the best deal for it.

[tfish]

Zonk, My son and I have been working on a similar project..tired engine and tranny. We tried the TCI "street fighter' from Summit racing. After talking with TCI they assured us it would work well for street use. It bolted right in. The problem was that it shifted from first to second around 50 mph and into third was way up there and very hard shifts. felt like the drive line was going to snap..and this was at normal driving acceleration too. after calling TCI they said we had the wrong shift servo..they sent us a new servo and it shifted the same way..Summit racing did take it back and we got a full refund. We ended up just rebuilding the original C4 with heavy duty parts and a shift kit from "transgo" very happy with it.
About 4 months ago we installed a ford racing 302 (M-6007-XB3) in it. It was a fairly easy swap. You do need a few parts off the old motor to make things work. He has a RPM intake with a Edelbrock 650 carb. Go with the 'steel' distribtor gear and not the broze one. It is a great combo for everyday driving.
Tony

[Orange97GTVert]

When you have a Classic Mustang and you are wondering what to do with it, you have to ask yourself some questions. If you are looking for value, keep it stock. If you are building it for yourself, build it your way. Back in the early 80's when I first got involved with classic Mustangs, the rule was bone stock. You just didn't modify a Mustang, it was a crime. Mustang Monthly magazine cranked out issue after issue of bone stock, all original over restored Mustangs. Now the hobby has changed, and you see more Restified or Modified Mustangs. I decided long ago that if I was building a Mustang that I would build it for me. I don't care what it will sell for, that is not my purpose in building it. Now with that said, my son has some ideas for my 65 that are just not going to happen, you cant rice a 65 Mustang, it is STILL a crime. I have chosen my paint color and I am swapping pony interior in a non-stock color, I have modified the engine some and I am running Cragar S/S wheels. That is MY Mustang. I haven't deviated enough to kill the value, but I have made it more enjoyable to me. I think a 67 Fastback has great value right now because they are more rare, especially with the GT500E project going on, I would think you can do whatever you want, and as long as you don't hack it up it will keep its value.

[k. putman]

Zonk,
IF...you decide to go crate motor I would be interested in buying your 289 block. I have a project restoring a '67 coupe my dad bought new and has stayed in the family. The OEM block was changed out in the '70's and now dad wants a correct year block back in the car. This car was plane jane from the factory; 289 2bbl, auto, am radio, springtime yellow w/ black interior. No power anything. We are going back original but with a few factory-available options added, wheels intstead of hubcaps, clock, power steering...

I don't have problems with "updated" cars nor do I with original cars.

[Orange97GTVert]

Originally Posted by k. putman

I don't have problems with "updated" cars nor do I with original cars.

I like Mustangs of all kinds. I think the Original cars stand out better now that a lot of people are modifying, it makes them more special than they were back when they were all done that way.

I also like modified cars, I grew up in the 60's and 70's, nobody left them alone back then, just like the late models now. I can't leave my 97 alone any more than my son can leave his 98 GT alone, we gotta have it our way.

I think more people feel welcome in the classic Mustang hobby now that the standard has relaxed and its now OK to modify, I know I do!

[bmxmon]

If i were you, I would buy the new engine and trans, and then keep the old one, so if you ever decide to sell it you will have the original motor and trans, with lower miles.

[popcorn]

I,m with Bmxmon. Get a crate 302 and I would go with a built up aod tranny. Keep the original block and c4. To build a restomod will allow you to have a car that looks kinda stock but has a drive train that is updated and reliable. With the original block and tranny and any other parts you change over like driveshaft, suspension, interior, etc. safely stored away, your grandkids can worry about a complete restoration to 98 point concorse and create a trailer queen. Besides if you do a top notch job with the transformation, good hotrods are fetching a pretty penny right now.