Author Topic: Opinions/advice regarding engine choice '67 fb (Read 566 times)

scubadds · « **on:** February, 09, 2011, 06:51:39 AM »

Hi all,
Some background info:
I've been lurking and asking a few questions for some time. I am not ready to post in the build section, but will be hitting it soon; as I guess its time.....
In the middle of a botched restoration and trying to recover from that, its seems like there is a curse on the '67/68 fastbacks. So many bad stories/companies out there.

Anyway, I am at sheet metal stage. Just a roller shell, no motor or trans or anything much else. I do have 9" 4.11 rear end with 11.25 Wilwoods.
Getting ready to order full quarters and new doors from NPD, I had partial quarters that don't line up with doors, just saving up a few more bucks.
I am building a resto-mod '67 fb, shaving drip rails and keeping the car smooth as possible.

As far as front end treatment, I have an eleanor kit; but have planned to only use the lower valance and use stock bumper and light buckets and stock-ish hood.
But I might use eleanor light bucket and hood if I had to for clearance with Mod motor. That's why I want to figure out the motor now. So I could get hood.
I have MII cross member in place and no shock towers.

My dilema is I don't know what engine to go with.
My perceived choices are a 351w based block maybe stroked or go with modular or maybe even new 5.0.
I see some engine/trans on ebay from 95+ mustangs around the $2500 range. But at that price, it would be a base motor; not great HP. Plus I need the ancillaries.
I really was liking the idea of EFI, I perceive some benefits to predicatable starts and smoothness.
I've read thru some of the others builds that have done Modular swaps and the reality of the extra work is beginning to scare me a tad bit.

I am sure someone has had both and could share experiences as to pros/cons of 351w vs one of the other EFI engines.
I suppose I could get a built 351w and add EFI to that???

Could someone just tell me what to do....
I was hoping a sensable pro/con list of each may make it obvious; but at this point I find that there are folks who lean one way or the other; like politics; but haven't given evidence as to why one is better.

Weight/cost/HP/MPG/drivability etc
I don't plan to track car at this point;
Thanks so much folks
BT

cmayna · « **Reply #1 on:** February, 09, 2011, 07:12:07 AM »

There are so many choices now days. My first thought is the motor should compliment the car. Thus if you do a super modified car, the motor should not be boring stock. I see no reason why not to go EFI. A suped up Windsor, Cleveland or big block would be fine as well.

tarafied1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February, 09, 2011, 07:25:53 AM »

Your concept sounds interesting and should be pretty cool.
As for engines, I haven't done a modular swap myself but I am helping a friend stuff a 97 4.6 and 4r70W into a 65 Mustang. The biggest issue we have had is the electronics. Most (as will we) had to buy an after-market setup to run all the "stuff". What bothers me a little is that this 4.6 is bigger than the 429 I have in my 67. Without a boat load of mods it is still just a 281 cubic inch motor and not really impressive power. Now a new 5.0 or the 4 cam "Terminator" Cobra engine might be more worth the effort than this stock 4.6 but my buddy just wanted a "modern" drivetrain so it will be like a new car.
I personally still love the old pushrod HO 5.0 and will be stuffing a 94 Cobra HO 5.0 in my latest project. Another 67. It's real easy to wire up the EFI compared to the mod motors and like the Chevy's of old, everything under the sun is available for the 5.0 or 351W including stroker kits and aluminum heads at reasonable prices.
I suppose like anything else its a matter of personal choice but if you want the high tech look, a mod motor is the way to go, if you want the most power for your money I would go with a 351W or HO 5.0
As I said earlier, I have a 1970 429 in my 67, it's mild but a lot of fun too. 460's are pretty cheap and it is actually smaller than a 4.6, just another thought to make your decision harder

Fast68back · « **Reply #3 on:** February, 09, 2011, 08:52:46 AM »

http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-5-0-v8-crate-engine-on-sale-for-6999.html

B67FSTB · « **Reply #4 on:** February, 09, 2011, 09:06:43 AM »

Want a 351 base with eleonor attitudes ???
See : http://www.enginefactory.com/Ford_427W_530Horsepower_Stroker.htm or

http://www.fordcobraengines.com/mustang_eleanor.htm

scubadds · « **Reply #5 on:** February, 09, 2011, 11:01:32 AM »

Yes
Jegs has them fot $6500 or so
http://www.jegs.com/p/Ford-Racing/Ford-Racing-50L-4V-412HP-390TQ/1412509/10002/-1

Which is not far off from a built 351w;

add a Ford racing ECU $1700
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=12284

a few other mics things like fuel pump, lines, etc

Seems like a nice way to go....it seems like a ton of money now; as I still have body work to go.
Anyone have a speadsheet of every single part to build a '67 fb; 'cause I could use one.....

Fast68back · « **Reply #6 on:** February, 09, 2011, 11:38:40 AM »

Check out Colemans FB build thread, he went with a late model mod motor. Seems like its never to hard to find some yahoo that decided to wrap their car around a tree or park it underneath a truck..... Wasn't someone on the board selling one recently?

Starfury · « **Reply #7 on:** February, 10, 2011, 06:41:20 AM »

If you get a SOHC 4.6, get one built after '99. The PI heads were a significant improvement. DOHC 4.6's are still around, though. They came in some full size Fords and Lincolns.

GTchris · « **Reply #8 on:** February, 10, 2011, 04:59:19 PM »

Quote from: scubadds on February, 09, 2011, 11:01:32 AM

Seems like a nice way to go....it seems like a ton of money now; as I still have body work to go.
Anyone have a speadsheet of every single part to build a '67 fb; 'cause I could use one.....

I don't know if anyone has a "complete" list of everything you would need. I have a partial list that I put together for my project at the beginning. I went through catalogs and made a list of what my best guess was of what I was going to need and the price on those parts. I was pretty good about keeping track of what I bought and how much it cost for quite a while. I gave up on updating it a while ago though. There were quite a few parts along they way that I ended up needing to get that I didn't see coming at the beginning.

PM your email address and I'll see if I can send you what I have. It should be good for a start at least.

scubadds · « **Reply #9 on:** March, 22, 2011, 04:29:29 PM »

thanks
I am still struggling.
I need to decide, as I am at the "engine" bay stage

I guess I could put an EFI on a stroked 351w???? Split the difference

stangg · « **Reply #10 on:** March, 23, 2011, 05:32:39 AM »

I'd say if you're starting from scratch on the engine and if cost is a factor then I don't think you could go wrong with a 351 based engine... 408 stroker seems to be a popular one. Carb or EFI doesn't really matter at this stage. Once you settle on a platform you can figure out just how wild you want to go with it.

scubadds · « **Reply #11 on:** March, 23, 2011, 03:39:07 PM »

thanks
Found a 351w from a f250/f350 early 80's truck (if I recall correctly, and I haven't looked it up to see if that's a possible date for the block) Had a 4 speed trans
At machine shop, guy will take $300 for it

I could have it checked out first???