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rangerdriver · Sep 26, 2004

Hi everyone. I am glad to be back to the Mustang forums. I am going to be starting a project with a four-cylinder Mustang and swap in a V-8. I have a 1979 LTD, with a 302, and it has about 100,000 miles on it. I am going to have the motor rebuilt. Now, the LTD I have has a 3-speed Automatic. It works just fine, and I think that it would be ok to swap into a Fox-Body. Of course, I don't know if it would fit in there or not. It needs to be overhauled as well. I searched everywhere, but can't find much help. I bet you guys have some advice, or know where I can get the answers I need. Thanks.

Gearbanger 101 · Sep 26, 2004

A 3-speed Auto in a '79 LTD leads me to believe that it's a C4, which will work fine in your mustang. It's not a direct swap from the existing transmission that in your car, but it will take little hassle to change it. You might want to consider the fact that if you plan on making any power with this car and installing a set of gears in the rear end, that your gas mileage is going to suffer.

I'd also consider a different choice of engine. I'd go with a later model HO if I were you. The engine you've got will require a lot of new parts just to match the power output of a stock HO and you're still stuck with a 2-piece (leak prone) rear main seal afterwards. At the very least if you plan on building from scratch, try to find a late model (post-84) roller block out of a Crown Vic or F-150 or something.

Not trying to discourage you though. Sounds like a fun project. You just may save yourself a lot of hassle this way and be more please with the end result.

rangerdriver · Sep 27, 2004

I hope that isn't the case. The motor in question still has a lot of pick-up and go. Even for a 4000+ pound car, it moves to sixty pretty quickly. But, I'd hate to use it, when I could've gone with a motor that I could really build up for some more power. I'm not looking to go 12's here, just a respectable street machine, with header's and Flow's to make it sound mean. Of course, within the first week I actually get it in a Mustang and get it running, I'll be looking for more power. It happens to us all. Well, I'll keep letting the suggestions pour (hopefully) in. In the meantime, I will be searching online for used Vic's and F-150's, just in case. Thanks.

Gearbanger 101 · Sep 27, 2004

Well, to give you an idea. A stock '79 Crown Vic has about 140hp versus 225 for a stock '87-up HO. I'm not saying that you can't build it, but with just an exhaust, don't expect much better than high 15's out of it.

rangerdriver · Sep 27, 2004

After looking through the web, and this site, I think a motor out of a car like you were telling me about is what I will end up doing. Thanks for the help.

rangerdriver · Sep 28, 2004

Well, I was wondering if I could rebuild the short-block, and then put on some heads from a later year, and add on an after-market intake and carb. But I am no expert, so this may not work like I am thinking and hoping it will. Thanks for the help.

Gearbanger 101 · Sep 28, 2004

You could do it, but in order to make it perform like a roller block, you will have to do a roller cam conversion along with a few other tidbits that will end up costing you more than it’s worth to buy a used HO.

Your best bet would be to keep your eye out for an HO out of an ’87-up Mustang, Lincoln Mark VII, or an MN12 Thunderbird/Cougar. You’ll be further ahead, with less hassle than building one up on your own and in the end it will end up being the cheaper route to begin with.

rangerdriver · Sep 28, 2004

I wasn't aware of the fact that the block would have to be converted to a roller block. I appreciate your patience Gear Banger 101. I could've gotten myself into a mess had I not talked to you. I just found out from a friend that I work with that his friend is selling his 87' GT for about $1000. I am going to look at it tonight or Thursday. It has, according to him, some front-end damage, and he says the front-clip will have to be replaced, but other than that, it is in great shape. We'll see how that goes. Even if it dosen't work out with the 87, I can get my other project going eventually. It'll just take longer. Thanks again Gear Banger 101.

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