Crate Engine or Build?

I was recently given a 76 Mustang II for free that is rust free for the most part, but it had a 4cyl. I have the old engine out and I'm ready to do the V8 swap, but I'm currently trying to decide if I should buy a crate engine or build one myself?

I want to keep the engine build under $2500.

What are the goals for the motor/purpose of the car?

HP range? Cruiser? Transmission and rear? etc.

The engine is going to be a 289 or 302. I'm wanting to stay around 300 hp. Trans will be a c4 and a 8" rear.

I will most likely have it as a summer driver.

For A $2500 budget you should do it your self. Find a 5.0 HO at the local u-pull-it and take it home and do a quicky rebuild, if your core engine wasn't trashed you will come in well under your budget. You may need a different oil pan too, I'm not sure if M-2s are front or rear sump, but there are plenty of pans designed for use in swaps on the market. Also be aware that 302s and 5.0/HOs have different crankshaft balancing and firing orders. Also a 351w would bolt in just as easily execpt it might be to tall to fit cleanly under the stock hood.

in any case, buy someone else's project. enough people are bailing out on perfectly good hardware/projects because of tough circumstances, you can get a deal.

and my vote is turbo-lima

+1 for Turbo 2.3

I'd vote crate engine if you're unlikely to go near an autocross or race track. Less hassle that way unless you really want to rebuild an engine and are using this project as a reason.

Happy Andy - I have the M-2 specific oil pan and all the parts that only fit them (motor mounts, frame mounts, bellhousing, etc...)

The balance is different on the old and new motors. I think that the old are 28 oz and the newer are 50 oz?

I originally thought about the 2.3T swap, but there is just something about the V8 sound that does it for me.

I like the pull-a-part idea. I will have to take a look this weekend.

This would be a different direction for you, but I'm dreaming about taking the 2.3 SOHC out of the Capri and putting a 2.3 Duratec DOHC from a Ranger. Then throwing some Cosworth parts at it. Thats my suggestion for your Mustang II.

I vote 351w... :)

NVHEngr wrote: The balance is different on the old and new motors. I think that the old are 28 oz and the newer are 50 oz? I originally thought about the 2.3T swap, but there is just something about the V8 sound that does it for me.

"302s" are 28 oz, and 5.0/HOs are 50 oz, but I think that there are some non HO 5.0s that are also 28 oz. I could be wrong, its been a long while since I've messed around with sbf swaps, anyway, I wouldn't bother with a non HO 5.0 unless it was free and known good.

I've heard that SHO V6s can be converted to RWD use too. I know of a fox body capri that I could probably get for free that needs an engine..... Its a good thing that I'm moving soon and can't take on any more projects.....

302/5.0s went to 50 oz around 84/85. I vote pick n pull. I found an 87 5.0 HO in a lincoln lsc - picked it up on 1/2 price Wed for $79 with all the accessories. Roller cams in 85 and later blocks. 86s have flat top pistons w/no valve reliefs - about any aftermarket cam requires different pistons or machine shop work for 86 motors. The late 80s blocks wear well. With 139k the cylinders were still within spec - a hone, cam and air gap manifold w/edelbrock 1405/6 carb will get you to about 290 hp (225 stock). Port the exhaust runners and you'll be around 300 or look around for aftermarket heads for better breathing. The 8" can take up to 300 ft/lbs of torque without mods. More than that - probably cheaper to pick up a 9". Anyway - that's around 300 hp for less than $500 if you're lucky and with careful shopping. You have to get to the PnP early - I got to mine at 8a.(found it at the end of the day before) by 8:05 three employees had already swung by to claim the HO. The LSCs are a slightly easier target - fewer people know they have HOs in them and they go for dirt cheap if the air suspension has collapsed. (t-bird v8 supercoupes also have HOs) If you stay with EFI, the lincolns are speed density instead of mass air - either megasquirt it or convert to mass air with a mustang harness (if you're a glutton for punishment you can convert the lincoln harness - instructions on fordfuelinjection.com)