• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

6 cyl or 8 cyl steering components.

  • Thread starter Thread starter 65fastbackresto
  • Start date Start date May 4, 2007

65fastbackresto

Active Member
Apr 13, 2007
1,229
7
39
AR
May 4, 2007
#1
  • May 4, 2007
  • #1
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

Member
Mar 30, 2005
946
0
17
Danb., CT
May 4, 2007
#2
  • May 4, 2007
  • #2
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

New Member
Jun 24, 2005
89
0
0
San Antonio, Texas
May 4, 2007
#3
  • May 4, 2007
  • #3
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

Active Member
Apr 13, 2007
1,229
7
39
AR
May 4, 2007
#4
  • May 4, 2007
  • #4
Cool

Thanks man, that helps alot.

Just exaclty what is a center link?
 
J

JamesW

Member
Jul 15, 2005
64
0
6
Central Texas
May 4, 2007
#5
  • May 4, 2007
  • #5
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

Active Member
Apr 13, 2007
1,229
7
39
AR
May 4, 2007
#6
  • May 4, 2007
  • #6
Ut oh

Looks 6 cyl to me...

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

65fastbackresto

Active Member
Apr 13, 2007
1,229
7
39
AR
May 4, 2007
#7
  • May 4, 2007
  • #7
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

Founding Member
Aug 7, 2000
1,202
9
59
Lakeland, Fl.
May 6, 2007
#8
  • May 6, 2007
  • #8
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

Active Member
Apr 13, 2007
1,229
7
39
AR
May 6, 2007
#9
  • May 6, 2007
  • #9
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

Founding Member
Aug 7, 2000
1,202
9
59
Lakeland, Fl.
May 7, 2007
#10
  • May 7, 2007
  • #10
65fastbackresto said:
changed out then. Anyone know if the V-8 parts will be bolt on? I suspect yes, but want to be sure.
Click to expand...

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

Active Member
Apr 13, 2007
1,229
7
39
AR
May 7, 2007
#11
  • May 7, 2007
  • #11
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

Member
Mar 30, 2005
946
0
17
Danb., CT
May 7, 2007
#12
  • May 7, 2007
  • #12


How 'bout some photos of the rear and front axles?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

3
Eight inches is enough for me...
  • 351MooseStang
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
5
Views
550
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Mar 2, 2026
Bullitt347
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1996–1998 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
711
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1999–2004 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
867
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
A
2001 Mustang GT, scorched metal smell and noise from trans/diff?
  • AndyE2255
  • Dec 1, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
432
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 28, 2025
gkomo
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
793
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?