Questions on a '65 Mustang -- Any advice appreciated.

smercier

New Member
Apr 17, 2002
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Baton Rouge, La
Just bought a '65 mustang, so I can finally post here! I've owned quite a few Fox / SN95 cars, but have really always wanted a classic. (been looking for a solid, reasonably priced car here in Louisiana for years, finally bit the bullet and had one shipped here)

So, I've got a few questions for you 65-66 gurus:

1: Is this car a GT?

It certainly looks the part. It was advertised as a GT, but regardless it is a well optioned car and was definitely worth the money I paid for it. Car has fog lights, GT rear valence, badged correctly, pony interior, proper chrome piece on hood, P/S, A/C, etc. I'm not going to sit here and say that I haven't seen plenty of clones, though. I assumed it was NOT a GT as it has a 3 speed. I was surprised to see a A code with a 3 speed, period. However, upon talking to a local mustang guru (been in the business for 20-30 years, runs a mustang yard with 500 or so cars), I'm not so sure. He took a look at the pictures and told me the only way to truly tell it's a GT or not is by examining the hole cut for the fog lights in the radiator support--if it was punched or cut. I will take delivery of the car later today and can provide any additional information if anybody wants to throw their .02 in...it'd be much appreciated!

Door tag:

Body: 65B, Color: 5, Trim: 66, Date: 06U, DSO: 63, Axle: 1, Trans: 1

2: I'll be ripping the engine / tranny out immediately. Yes, they're original...but don't worry guys. They'll be kept in storage and I don't plan on making any modifications to the car that can't be reversed easily. In will go a roller 5.0 / stroker and a t-5. I'm in the process of rebuilding the t-5 and have my eye on a nice cable clutch (though also looking into hydraulic setups) and pedal setup. My conern here is with the accessories. I'd love to go with a serpentine setup but I'm thinking it would be a PITA to find the proper pulleys and get everything in the proper rotation. Does anybody know if I can reuse the 289 brackets on my late model 5.0 block? Or do the accessory brackets bolt to the heads instead, and if so, are the bolt locations typically standard? If not, what is my best bet for transferring everything over?

3: I'll want to upgrade the rear to posi. What's my best and most economical route? It's currently got an 8 inch rear. (originally 3.00:1 but who knows by now).

Sorry for rambling a bit, I hope my questions came out clear. I appreciate any of your thoughts or concerns here. Thanks in advance guys.
 
Best way to verify if it's a GT or not is to decode the VIN.

I would use the serpintine system from the roller 5.0 including the accessories and brackets.

Rear axle is a little tricky... you can buy a limited slip unit for these....but they are more costly than others and the 8" isn't all that strong. It'll probably hold up for a while depending on your driving habits and traction/tires. I'd be tempted to swap it out for a 9" or an 8.8"
 
First it has to be an A or K code, so you have that. Check your build date, the GT option was mid year, after Feb. I believe.
I have seen early factory GT's with the fog wires, not passing through the radiator support, but just going over to the headlight buckets. If yours go through the radiator support, the hole should be punched, not drilled. The 65 factory GT cars without the deluxe(pony) interior, had a different instrument cluster and glove box door then any other 65 or 66 Mustang. If your car had the pony interior it would have gotten the gauge style instrument cluster with that option, but it would have woodgrain on it. Check for front disc brakes, they were standard on the GT. I beleive the GT had some unigue brackets for the rear valance and factory dual exhaust, that is hard to duplicate because it was welded from the factory. Check your fenders and rocker panel area for traces of someone filling in holes from emblems and rocker moulding brackets.