65 budget build

[Hefe]

So Im finally ready to start fixing my 65 coupe. It was originally a 6 cylinder car but when I bought it, it had a 302 in it... I ended up smoking the c4 and it hasnt been started in 8 years... anyway... I want to fix her up, and do it in an economical way, while still getting some "nice" stuff.. Heres what i was thinking of doing..

TCP manual rack
Open Tracker suspension
Ford Racing 302 340 HP Crate
C4 w/manual and auto valve body
Granada style brake upgrade

I was thinking of rebuilding the engine in there, but a new one is 4k can I rebuild what i have and still have 340hp? I dont think I can.

As far as the rear end. it has the 6 cyl 7' in there now.. I do have an 8" from a 66 stang.. should I shell out 3k to get a currie or can I build the 8" strong enough?

Thanks for any info and comments!

Steve

 

[nugget68]

I am no mechanic, but I think that a 302 can get around 340hp fairly wasy, and a lot cheaper than $4000. I think an 8" rear would be fine on a 340hp car, especially with street tires. I am sure someone more knowledgable will chime in here and give you specifics...

 

[jadesville]

So Im finally ready to start fixing my 65 coupe. It was originally a 6 cylinder car but when I bought it, it had a 302 in it... I ended up smoking the c4 and it hasnt been started in 8 years... anyway... I want to fix her up, and do it in an economical way, while still getting some "nice" stuff.. Heres what i was thinking of doing..

TCP manual rack
Open Tracker suspension
Ford Racing 302 340 HP Crate
C4 w/manual and auto valve body
Granada style brake upgrade

I was thinking of rebuilding the engine in there, but a new one is 4k can I rebuild what i have and still have 340hp? I dont think I can.

As far as the rear end. it has the 6 cyl 7' in there now.. I do have an 8" from a 66 stang.. should I shell out 3k to get a currie or can I build the 8" strong enough?

Thanks for any info and comments!

Steve

You can build your own 302 for about 4k that puts out a lot more than that.

$899.99 Scat 347 SBF 302 Stroker Kit (adperformance)
$1199 Trick Flow Track Heat Aluminum Cylinder Heads (ebay)
$235.95 Edelbrock Victor Jr. Intake Manifolds
$399.99 COMP Cams Magnum Cam & Lifter Kit (summit)
$139.99 Summit Bracket Racer SFI Harmonic Dampers (summit)
$36.99 Water Pump (Partsamerica)
$119.95 Fel-Pro Performance Full Engine Gasket Sets (summit)
$200.00 Harland Sharp Roller Rockers (ebay)
$22.95 Melling Oil Pump (summit)
$179.99 Moroso Front Deep Sump Pan (jegs)
$39.99 Moroso Extended Oil Pump Pickup (jegs)
$129.95 ARP Engine Bolt Kits (summit)
$125 700cfm Holley DP + rebuild kit (ebay)
$64.95 Trick Flow Cast Aluminum Valve Covers (summit)
$34.95 ARP Main Stud Kits (ebay)
$84.95 ARP Cylinder Head Stud Kits (summit)
$13.00 Chrome Alternator Bracket (ebay)
$18.49 Theromostat housing & Thermostat (ebay)
Re-use Timing Cover & Pullies

$3946.08 total

Add in a couple hundred for machine work, to hot tank the block, timing cover, pullies, bore and hone the block, balance your assembly, install bearings, plugs and assemble the rotating assembly into the block. You'll have to do everything else yourself, but that setup is pretty stout and you should easily be in the 400 range. I have a similar setup that is around 450.

As for the rearend, find yourself a 9 inch housing and rearend on either craigslist, classfieds or ebay. You can have a machine shop cut the axle tubes down to the correct length, reweld the perches, purchase a pair of 31 spline axles, bearings, and your choice of gears, locker, spool, etc. It can be done for under a grand and be plenty strong for the amount of power you'll throw at it.

 

[danny clemens]

Get a 9" rear out of a 57 thru 59 Ford passenger car, put new bearings and seals in it and then buy a center section set up like you want. It's an easy swap and it'll be a whole lot cheaper than 3K.

 

[Hefe]

Thanks for the responses!