New 68 Mustang Owner

rockyvi2 · 08-27-2001, 09:02 PM

I just purchased a 1968 Mustang Coupe. It has the 200 6 cylinder with an automatic transmission. I am exploring the possibility of getting a rebuilt 289 or 302 to put in the car. First, is this possible? Second, will I need to change the transmission and rear end? Third if this can be done can you suggest somewhere in central or northern Virginia where I can find a rebuilt motor?

thunderbolt · 08-28-2001, 07:58 PM

Yup; you can do this swap. Someone recently (within the past month) asked pretty much this same question so I would advise you to look back in some of the older posts for those answeres. Basically, to do a 6 to 8 coversion right can be expensive and entail several parts. But several people have undertaken this task.

amartin725 · 08-29-2001, 03:59 PM

Many people have undertaken the task of upgrading from a 6 to an 8. When changing from a 6 to an 8, you need to change out the entire drivetrain, steering system, front end, cooling system, etc.. Many people recommend that you sell it and just buy a V8 car. However, a very strong point is made for just the opposite. If your going to restore the car and replace everything anyway, just replace the parts with V8 parts.

I have (and love) my 6 banger. However, having owned the car for 13 years, I know that most replacement and performance parts are geared towards V8 cars, so I've slowly collected the parts to upgrade the suspension and drivetrain to V8 specs while keeping my 6. Now, I'm currently in the process of build a new 6 that current drivetrain will not be able to handle, so I've forced myself to upgrade. It's going to be fun. For the time being, I've designed my own disk brake kit for my 4 lug wheels using an $50 Infiniti rotor and a $15 GM caliper so that I have at least some semblence of technology under there.

Anyway, what it really depends on are your resources, budget, and time. If you can find the parts and can do the work yourself, it's much cheaper than paying someone to do it for you.

Al

08-27-2001, 09:02 PM	#1
rockyvi2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Culpeper, VA, USA Posts: 1	New 68 Mustang Owner I just purchased a 1968 Mustang Coupe. It has the 200 6 cylinder with an automatic transmission. I am exploring the possibility of getting a rebuilt 289 or 302 to put in the car. First, is this possible? Second, will I need to change the transmission and rear end? Third if this can be done can you suggest somewhere in central or northern Virginia where I can find a rebuilt motor?

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08-28-2001, 07:58 PM	#2
thunderbolt Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 380	Yup; you can do this swap. Someone recently (within the past month) asked pretty much this same question so I would advise you to look back in some of the older posts for those answeres. Basically, to do a 6 to 8 coversion right can be expensive and entail several parts. But several people have undertaken this task.

08-29-2001, 03:59 PM	#3
amartin725 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 46	Many people have undertaken the task of upgrading from a 6 to an 8. When changing from a 6 to an 8, you need to change out the entire drivetrain, steering system, front end, cooling system, etc.. Many people recommend that you sell it and just buy a V8 car. However, a very strong point is made for just the opposite. If your going to restore the car and replace everything anyway, just replace the parts with V8 parts. I have (and love) my 6 banger. However, having owned the car for 13 years, I know that most replacement and performance parts are geared towards V8 cars, so I've slowly collected the parts to upgrade the suspension and drivetrain to V8 specs while keeping my 6. Now, I'm currently in the process of build a new 6 that current drivetrain will not be able to handle, so I've forced myself to upgrade. It's going to be fun. For the time being, I've designed my own disk brake kit for my 4 lug wheels using an $50 Infiniti rotor and a $15 GM caliper so that I have at least some semblence of technology under there. Anyway, what it really depends on are your resources, budget, and time. If you can find the parts and can do the work yourself, it's much cheaper than paying someone to do it for you. Al