1995 5.0L Engine into 65 Mustang

[leadfoot23]

Will a 1995 5.0L Ford Engine fit in a 1965 Ford Mustang? If so, is it a good engine for the car?

Thanks, Tyler

[soloracer]

It's been done by lots of people. Some of the really nice older Mustangs have 5.0 engines, independant suspensions, disc brakes, etc. You may have to get a different subframe though. There are a bunch of companies making "Resto Mod" kits for these cars. I'm sure a search of the web would give you a lot of hits.

[leadfoot23]

Alright, thanks a lot::D

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Depends what's in it now. 289? The 5.0L is just a more modern version of the trusty 302cid powerplant. If you're going to do an engine swap in a '65, why not go for something a little more period-correct, like the 289Hi-Po, 302 or 351W? That way, you'll have gobs of power and a whole lot less wiring to deal with.

While you're at it, have a gander at this:

http://www.mustangsandmore.com/ubb/DanJonesEngineSwap.html

Really, you should be able to shoehorn any Windsor engine in there without too much difficulty, just be aware of your exhaust manifolds and their close proximity to the shock towers.

[soloracer]

Just checking a little further and you should confirm that there are no differences between the 95 5.0 and the earlier (86-93) 5.0 engines. I know that the earlier engines have been used so I assumed the 95 would be good too.

[leadfoot23]

It has a 289 in it right now. Aren't 351's rare and pricey?

[BerserkerCatSplat]

351W's are quite common, actually. The Boss 351's and 351 Cobra Jets are the rarer items, and those are both Cleveland blocks anyway and thus would be a royal pain to stuff into a '65.

Nope, if you want to go with a 351, the trusty 351 Windsor is the only one that's going to fit between those shock towers without considerable surgery. It's also a readily modifiable engine.

[leadfoot23]

Oh okay. Thanks for the info. Seems like the hardest part so far is gonna be finding the right header.

[soloracer]

Originally posted by leadfoot23
It has a 289 in it right now. Aren't 351's rare and pricey?

Dime a dozen. It's like asking if 350's are rare and pricey in my opinion. The nice thing about the modern engines is the fuel injection. I also like the sound of the late 80's/early 90's 302 (5.0) They have a nice howl when you get them revved up.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

What, no love for the carbs? :D The sound of a 302/351 is going to be really affected by the exhaust system, they're great-sounding motors to begin with, but a good set of headers really makes them sing.

[soloracer]

The only "carbs" I like are in my pasta. ;)

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Bah, I'll take 4-barrel Holleys over rigatoni any day. :D

[leadfoot23]

Are 289 Hi-Po's hard to find?

[soloracer]

And while you are fiddling with your jets and floats I'll be enjoying a nice sauce and a sprinkle of cheese over that rigatoni. ;)

Leadfoot: Is your car a fastback? Have any pics? Plan on doing the Thunderbird tailights aka Shelby?

[leadfoot23]

Well there's the thing, this is going to be my first car. I'm only 16 right now and because BC has some strict driving laws I still have another 10 months on my Learner's. So I'm trying to pick up a 65-66 Mustang right now so I can be finished it for when I can drive.
This is going to be kinda tough for me as I only have about 20 hours of work on cars so far and that's why I'm trying to get all this sorted out right now. I figure I will be able to do it with some help in person and with online advice.

[soloracer]

Good luck finding one. Unfortunately the older stangs are getting more expensive to buy - blame the baby boomers. I know where there is a 67 fastback and hopefully over time I can wear the owner down enough that they will sell it to me. It needs work but would make an excellent Eleanor clone. Or maybe something like this instead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrNisRTy0KY&feature=related

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Ah, ambitious! Well, I'd have to recommend the 302/351 route as the 289Hi-Po isn't an overly common engine and used some fairly specialized parts. The 302 and 351W were used forever in a million different vehicles and thus parts are readily available and quite inexpensive.

I really do applaud you on learning this kind of thing, working on your own car is a fantastic experience. Working on a classic Mustang makes it even better, I know I could never give it up!

[leadfoot23]

Well yeah, it's all I've ever wanted to do with a car. Muscle cars are freakin orgasmic. Love my 'stangs Nova's and Chevelle's:D

[stevo 27]

460 cobra jet crate motor
with a demon 1100cfm carb should be fine
new sub frame

it fits really tight but it fits youd have to make everything custom
but it would be sick ;)

the motor is 7500 bucks but if you have 10 months why not :D

[403Gemini]

Originally posted by leadfoot23
Well yeah, it's all I've ever wanted to do with a car. Muscle cars are freakin orgasmic. Love my 'stangs Nova's and Chevelle's:D

werd to all 3 of those man... i LOVE 2 door nova's.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by stevo 27
460 cobra jet crate motor
with a demon 1100cfm carb should be fine
new sub frame

it fits really tight but it fits youd have to make everything custom
but it would be sick ;)

the motor is 7500 bucks but if you have 10 months why not :D

A 460 into a 1965? :eek: That'd need unimaginable custom fabrication! I don't even know how you'd do it, the shock towers on the early Mustangs were very, very close together and the 460 is very, very wide. Heck, it's even bigger than the FE motors.