List of questions for a 69 Mustang

Steelcityfan29 · Sep 28, 2010

I just purchased an ol 69, it needs work. The body is decent. The engine? I have no real idea of what it is.. neither did the previous owner.

I have done some smaller work on an older 88 jeep cherokee, a 70 chevy truck and a 47 willeys jeep. No professional at all. I just google and read forums a lot.

So my questions I guess are.

What engine is in it?

___

What parts should I look for to get some umph.. in the engine without breaking the bank and something I can put on it.. Im aware it needs a 4 barrel carb.

What about getting power steering and brakes back? Any ideas?

No headlights? Other lights all work, the PO said that they worked when he parked it a month ago? Thoughts?

I will have more to come and thanks!

Here are a couple more pics of the engine. Thanks for the help so far. I cant see any numbers on this block and i cant really get under it easily where it sits now. Any knowledge would be great. Thanks!

or

Realmongo · Sep 28, 2010

Sounds like it is time to crawl underneath and get the casting number and date code off the block!

2+2GT · Sep 28, 2010

The photo is not very good on detail, but the 351 Cleveland valve cover stands out pretty well. The EGR implies it's a 73 or later engine.

Don't drive it until you install cowl braces, or better, an export brace.

The 351C 2V can be upgraded with a conversion intake manifold, and of course there are many cams for this engine.

Steelcityfan29 · Sep 30, 2010

Thanks for the reply there. I will get the numbers i can off the block, the guy I got it from said the engine was off a 73 or 74 ford truck.

2+2GT · Sep 30, 2010

Steelcityfan29 said:
What about getting power steering and brakes back? Any ideas?

Back? I don't see any evidence it ever had power brakes. Easy conversion, though. Power steering about the same, but it could easily have been a manual steering car.

Steelcityfan29 said:
No headlights? Other lights all work, the PO said that they worked when he parked it a month ago? Thoughts?

Check the headlight switch, dimmer switch, and the firewall plugs.

Steelcityfan29 · Sep 30, 2010

Awesome 2+2 thanks for the suggestions. Yea I dont know much of the history of this vehicle at all nor do I think what I was told was really valid. I just know I love Mustangs.. always wanted a 69. The body looked great had no rust anywhere evident.

Im not a mechanic at all but Im pretty handy in general and can do about anything as long as I have pictures or something i can read LOL.

So Im just going into this as my first real car rebuild. I did some custom work of my own on an old cherokee and a 47 willys jeep but it wasnt what Im going to do on this car.

thanks for all the help

Oh did any of the windsors also have the blue valve covers like that? or was the a cleveland thing? When I get home from work ill check out the numbers on the engine if I can see them.

2+2GT · Sep 30, 2010

Steelcityfan29 said:
Oh did any of the windsors also have the blue valve covers like that? or was the a cleveland thing? When I get home from work ill check out the numbers on the engine if I can see them.

Actually, during that period, all Ford engines were painted entirely Ford Corporate Blue, including the 351W and 351C.

fvike · Sep 30, 2010

About the headlights, also check the connections on the beams themself for corrosion.

Steelcityfan29 · Oct 6, 2010

Ok I added a couple of pics hope these help. Thanks everyone!

RogerC62 · Oct 6, 2010

Your engine is a 351M or 400. That flat just to the right of the distributor is almost level with the flat under the distributor on a 351C engine. 351Ms are slightly taller than the C version much like a 351W is to a 302. 351Ms & 400s were truck and big car engines and don't have much for aftermarket parts, not very desirable.

Steelcityfan29 · Oct 6, 2010

Thank you for the reply.. Im new to all this.. pretty much completely other than what i hear or learn online.

I guess where do I go from here?

Do I find a 302 or a 351 C or W?

Whats going to make a new guy happy with my lack of ability to work on this stuff as im just learning and more affordable?

There are a few longblock ford engines for sell around here...

everything from a 429 to a 289.. Ive read the 351W and 302s are the easiest to get parts for and work on to produce some good torque and HP.

I want a hot car but Im only going to drag it against my friends a couple times a year.. id like to be able to drive it occasionally too.. it wont be my DD but something fun to show off with.

Any good suggestions are apprecaited. Thanks!

Max Power · Oct 7, 2010

Best bang for the buck for you would probably be a crate motor in the 393/408 variety which is based off the 351w platform. They are widely available, fit nicely in your chassis, and are cheaper than Clevelands or big blocks on a HP per dollar scale.

Steelcityfan29 · Oct 7, 2010

What about all the motor mounts and transmission mounts? Doesn't the 351M? have the same bell housing and whatnot as the 429s?

So i'm either going to have to go with a big block and keep my C6 i have now or redo everything..?

What is everything in general I would have to do to get one of the 351w or small blocks in there?

Thanks again in advance fo all the help

Thanks for the advice on those two engines as well I will look into them. Any websites for a cheap crate engine? All I see are like 7k for turnkey drop ins.

2+2GT · Oct 7, 2010

Steelcityfan29 said:
What about all the motor mounts and transmission mounts? Doesn't the 351M? have the same bell housing and whatnot as the 429s?

So i'm either going to have to go with a big block and keep my C6 i have now or redo everything..?

What is everything in general I would have to do to get one of the 351w or small blocks in there?

Thanks again in advance fo all the help

Thanks for the advice on those two engines as well I will look into them. Any websites for a cheap crate engine? All I see are like 7k for turnkey drop ins.

Yep- The M engine uses 429/460 mounts and bell. Converting to 351W is dead easy, you'll need the frame mounts, new or used, and of course a transmission to match. Well, the small stuff will need to be adapted, probably.

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