6 cyl or 8 cyl steering components.

[65fastbackresto]

It was a factory 6 cyl (T code) Had this car for like a month, someone in the past has changed the 4 lug wheels to 5, from the stress cracks in the body it has obviously had a V-8 in it in the past.

Question is, how can I tell if they changed the steering components on the car?

Should the tie rod ends be a certain diameter or how can I tell otherwise?

What all would be different up front? I am getting the car ready for another V-8 and want it done right.

It has maneul steering box.

 

[geostang351]

I don't believe there is a difference between a I6 steering and V8 sterring as far as the box goes. The spindle is bigger though.

 

[stanger53]

I guess you are talking about a 1965/1966 model Mustang????

The stress cracks wouldn't be caused by installing a V8 engine. The frame and body are the same between 6 and 8, so something else caused that problem.

If the inner tie rods bolt to the pitman arm and idler arm, it is a 6cyl manual steering linkage. If the tie rods bolt to the centerlink, it is V8.

 

[65fastbackresto]

Cool

Thanks man, that helps alot.

Just exaclty what is a center link?

 

[JamesW]

go to Texas Mustang Parts website and look up steering center link for 65s... it will show photos of the 6 and 8 cylinder links. They look obviously different. You can then go look at your car and decide.

 

[65fastbackresto]

Ut oh

Looks 6 cyl to me...

Am I gonna need to change this stuff to put a V-8 in this car?

 

[65fastbackresto]

James W

I went to Texas Mustang Parts and looked up steering center link, they look exactly the same.

But I`m pretty sure its 6 cyl front end casue the tie rods dont hook directly to the center link.

 

['66 coupe]

There's a decent amount of stuff that needs to be changed to go from 6cyl. suspension to V8 suspension.

I listed most of the stuff in this thread(I didn't want to hi-jack your thread by asking my question): http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=699634

Everything should be the same as my list except the Granada outer tie rods...I'm doing a Granada brake swap.
You'll also need the V8 springs, spindles, and brakes.

 

[65fastbackresto]

It doesn`t appear a whole lot needs...

changed out then. Anyone know if the V-8 parts will be bolt on? I suspect yes, but want to be sure.

 

['66 coupe]

changed out then. Anyone know if the V-8 parts will be bolt on? I suspect yes, but want to be sure.

Everything should bolt right up once you get all the parts.

What brake setup do you plan on running?

Do you know what rear-end the car has, or if the rear springs need to be upgraded?

Doesn't seem like much for the V8 swap. But it all adds up. My car has been sitting for more than 4 years because I was too busy with school and work to accumulate all the stuff. I was able to get a few things here and there; but now that I've graduated I'm gonna try to speed through this.

Your car has had a V8, so for you it's just a matter of figuring out what you can keep and what needs to be swapped. Sounds like an okay place to start.

 

[65fastbackresto]

Stuff so far.

Brakes are drum, gonna change to granada disk conversion soon.

Rear end, dont know yet, but they got to be low gears, cause wide open is like 85 mph with this 6 cyl motor. The rear end is the kind with the welded housing cover on the back, all the parts come out of the front of it. Thats the good one aint it?

Rear springs are Meiyer racing 4 1/2 leafs as of this week.

 

[geostang351]

How 'bout some photos of the rear and front axles?