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1966 Mustang Hardtop project in progress
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shifters
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Jan 30, 2012, 7:39 AM
Post #1 of 7
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1966 Mustang Hardtop project in progress
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I am currently a high school student and my dad and I are fixing up a 1966 Mustang. It has a 351 windsor in it right now, but my dad wants to exchange it for a 289 because he thinks that the 351 will have a little to much horsepower. Any opinions? I'm also trying to decide what size tires/rims to put on it. Thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I would post pictures but I can't figure out how. We've gotten most of our parts from Shifters Galore because they have pretty good prices and ship pretty fast. Also would like opinions on interior and exterior colors. Thanks!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 30, 2012, 8:19 AM
Post #2 of 7
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Re: 1966 Mustang Hardtop project in progress
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That mustang is one step heavier than a paper airplane so any V8 is basically overpowering it. I really don't recall that car ever coming with a 351 though. Maybe I'm wrong.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 30, 2012, 8:37 AM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: 1966 Mustang Hardtop project in progress
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Just looked if it's correct that "351" came out in 1969 either 2 or 4v carb. One may have been the Cleveland which is a big block. Have to agree with Hammer that these were quick even with the six and any V8.
If info is correct it's not the original engine. If you don't care about it being original and it's good now I'd just leave it alone.
The worry about too much power really is how the driver drives it - not the engine's fault. I doubt there's a significant weight difference in a 289 or a 351.
If VIN shows the original engine was a six it may have had less HD suspension and other parts - not certain. There were a lot of choices back when for drive-train AND body styles,
T
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shifters
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Jan 30, 2012, 11:21 AM
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Re: 1966 Mustang Hardtop project in progress
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yeah the original 66's came with a 289, but when we bought this car it had a 351 in it. Personal opinion, I would like to keep the 351 to show off to my friends, and since it weight wouldn't make much of a difference, it seems like it would be smarter to just keep it in there instead of pulling the engine. A lot more work
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 30, 2012, 7:18 PM
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Re: 1966 Mustang Hardtop project in progress
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I'd keep the Windsor in it. That's if it is not worn out of course. Tell dad you want to stroke the Windsor out to a nasty, snarling, beasty 427 in front of a tricked out C6 and locked 9 inch (not 28 spline). One step to completing your quest to becoming a man would be keeping that straight going down the quarter.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jan 30, 2012, 7:24 PM)
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nickwarner
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Feb 15, 2012, 6:48 PM
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Re: 1966 Mustang Hardtop project in progress
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Keep the 351. Your car is already numbers not matching and you can have some fun with it. But look close at the suspension and brakes. I had a 69 coupe with a 289 but was originally a 6 cyl car. So drum brakes on all corners and big POS. Took a lot of work but worth it. Remember that it doesn't matter how fast your car gets to the end of the 1/4 mile. You still have to stop the damn thing. I see a lot of guys that will dump $6000 in the engine to make it go fast but not put $1500 into brakes that can stop it at speed. Don't get too heavy on the right foot so you can live long enough to enjoy the car become really nice.
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