66 Mustang Susp. Swap Questions

[Dano78]

Feel a little out of place here, not being in my II room..lol but Ineed some help/advice.
Anyhow, I'm swapping the crappy 6 cyl 4 lugger suspension for V8 5-lug stuff from my donor '71 Comet GT. Obviously the outter tie rod ends are too small for the larger hole in the Comet's drum brake assemblies. Do I need to swap out the entire steering linkage setup or find other outer tie rod ends? Also, the toe adjustment is quite a ways off (have yet to re-adjust w/new tie rods) but I don't see a whole lot of room for adjustment left in the tie rods. The Comet's steering linkage is quite a bit different from the Mustang's but I've toyed with the idea of seeing if it'll work. Has anyone tried? For a V8, do i need a different Centerlink? Am going to leave it manual steering for now but looking to upgrade to p/s later on.
Am also planning to swap the rear axle as i have the crappy integral in the '66. I assume that my shock plates will not work as with the U-bolts because the 8" looks larger in dia. The Comet's shock plates are for staggered shocks... no good for me.
Also thinking that I can convert the brake M/C from the Comet to the '66 and seen a few posts that talked a little of it. Am i thinking right? Any pointers?

I'm really unfamiliar with early mustangs. Never really had one. Had a '69 years back but never really did anything with it. Mosty 66-67 Fairlanes, Falcons, Mustang IIs, and Comets/Mavericks have been my cup of tea. Lots of similarities between the early Mustang and those. All help/advice appreciated.

 

[blue65coupe]

If you're doing a swap on your 66 6cyl to v8 parts you will need to switch everything. I'm doing this right now with a Granada disc conversion. Outer tie rods will not fit into the adjusting sleeve. You'll need sleeves, inners, drag link, pitman and idler arm. None of it interchanges to my knowledge...which is getting it apart and realizing it. Good luck. I went all new and it's running me about $280. Actually my car started as a 289 rebuild a few months ago and by the time I get done the only thing 6 cyl about it will be the VIN. Any more ??? let me know. I can definitely help you spend the money

 

[Dano78]

Yeah I had a feeling it was comming to that. Certainly not like my Fairlanes and Falcons of that day. I will be rebuilding the entire suspension, but later on, as well as a front disc swap too. I really just need parts to get it mobile so i can get it out of my shop for the time being. I have the 5 lug stuff from the Comet I was junking out and thought I'd kill two birds with one stone. So even wore out old stuff would work for me as it'll be a little while yet till I can focus 100% on that project. Also- Looking at the ass-end i noticed that it looks like I'll need the rear shock plates and U-bolts from a V8 (or 8" rear) car aswell...

On the brighter side tho- it looks as if I have a Toploader 4 speed behind the later model 250ci 6 banger that is currently in it. Never really paid attention to it and figured it was a junky Dinginham unit.


Thanks for the reply, and keep me posted!

 

[blue65coupe]

Nice on the Toploader! Too bad you're so far away from North Carolina. In my quest for parts I came across a "salvage yard/restoration facility" that is the equivalent of a mustang goldmine. Concerning your front end: I have two tie rod adapters that will allow you to use your 6 cyl tie rods for a larger holed spindle. I'm not using them since I went to all new stuff. They are small sleeves that fit over the outer tie rods to make 'em fit. You can have 'em. That will get you in and out of the shop. You may be able to find some somewhere I'm not sure. They came in the kit. Concerning the rear: The 8" is larger. If you just need shock plates you can probably find some on Ebay. If not, I can give you the number and name of the "goldmine" in NC. They have more than everything. Shipping on something like that wouldn't be much. Let me know how it goes and if you want me to send the adapters. Anymore ?? and I'll be happy to help. I'm not an expert, but I know my car and what we're going through. Good luck.

BTW, when you get ready I know where you can get a new rebuilt heavy duty 8" third member in your choice of gear ratio with trac lok for about $650!

 

[Dano78]

Yeah I'm a little ways for NC...lol We've got a classics yard here, All American Classics, but you usually have to walk in with a jar of Vasoline so it won't hurt so bad... There use to be a fella by the name of Del that sold a ton of early mustang parts up in the Hockinson area... but last time i was there was about 8-9 years ago and i can't even remember how to get there again. Then there is Bob's Ford parts in Portland and honestly... I think its cheaper to ship stuff in, than to pony up for his prices.
I got both rear ends out of the cars tonight and noticed that the driveshaft isn't gonna work either because of the weenie pinion on the integeral rear. RRRrrrrrRRRR. I've got a small pile of drivelines, will just have to see if I have one the right length. I also noticed that this Comet rear axle looks to be a touch bit narrower than the stock 4 lugger. Am going to go out and measure them later on. I just hope the perches are the correct distance. (i'm sure they are)
Let me look around a bit a see if I can't find the entire V8 steering linkage. If not, you may be gettin an E-mail. If you got the # to your 'goldmine' handy, that'd be cool. Always like to have resources on-hand if need be.
The 8in pumpkin in that Comet rear is a peg-legger 2.79:1 TQ converter burner. So, yeah I'll definately be looking into a better pumkin. But for now, as with the rest of the suspension, it'll have to do till I can go full bore on it.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[blue65coupe]

I'll email you tomorrow with the number. If you know of anything specific you need, let me know and I'll ask him tomorrow as I have to call him. Same prob. with the driveshaft. I got under the car today and was going to swap out all the steering stuff and realized I didn't have the v8 idler arm mounting bracket. Had to order it and I probably won't see it till Tuesday. Anyway, I'll have to hunt the second tie rod adapter. During today's work one got misplaced. Had them in the "spare parts" box and was going to put them in the toolbox in case you needed them and one is gone. I'll hunt tomorrow for it. Good luck