Advice Wanted please

#1 thing to look out for is rust. #2 is damage that’s covered or poorly repaired. A lot of these had gallons of Bondo and a fast paint job before Barrett Jackson auctions hit cable.
Is it a V-8 car or straight 6 car? The vin or body tag, 4 or 5 lug brakes, will let someone help you if you are not sure.

If it had a V-8, a stroked 302 (347) will be a minimal hassle fit in place of the missing 289. If it was a Six, you should search this site for the conversion process as it is not just a matter of swapping engine mounts. The suspension, brakes and rear end are going to need upgraded.

lukeswayne said:

I have just had the opportunity to buy a 65 mustang, haven't gone through with it yet.

Its for 3k without engine or transmission and looks in pretty good shape, is this a good deal?

What should I look out for when buying it?

Is there an easy way to set up AWD in it?

Lagest engine size I could fit?

Was thinking newer model mustang engine maybe a 4.6L v8, but might have to put a temporary 2L in (I know its a crime).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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If it actually is in good shape, it is a good deal...but I doubt it is at that price. The cars are prone to rust...usually floors are rotted away, which is often caused by a rotted cowl...there are plenty of areas to look for hidden rust, so look at those areas along with trunk drop-offs and quarter panels.

This is a 50+ year old RWD car with a narrow engine bay...there is no easy way to go AWD. Most modern AWD cars have transverse engines and transmissions(they sit sideways) and the whole front suspension is designed with CV axles in mind...vintage mustangs do not...while its not impossible to do an AWD conversion it is exceedingly difficult and any AWD transmission designed to fit a conventional longitudal engine is going to be difficult to find anyway(You have what? The Skyline, maybe a Ford Sierra or European Escort, and a few other rare cars with the right type of transmission design?) but that is ok...AWD just leeches more power anyway, unless you rally racing, or driving in the snow(neither of which vintage mustangs should be used for) AWD isn't going to help you much...these cars hook up just fine with their solid rear axles that it will never be traction holding you back at the track as long as you set up the rear end for it.

Not sure why people always want to jump to the largest engine size possible....biggest isnt always best. I would stay away from the 4.6L though, to use that engine(or the newer Coyote 5.0L) requires you removing your shock towers and grafting in some type of aftermarket suspension, which brings its own issues. What you can fit fairly easily(though tight) is a 351W, which will hold more power than you need anyway. If you think putting a modern non-pushrod engine of ANY size in one of these is an easy task.....lets just say you have no idea what you are getting into.