'64 or '68 stang and engine

In the past week I have had two people tell me about some first generation Mustangs. One is a 1964 that has been sitting in a garage untouched since '83, not sure on the price but I don't think it is that high. The other is a '68 that has some minor body damage, nothing a little hammer and dolly work can't fix, for under 2 grand. Both run, but neither are any sort of performance Mustangs. I'm leaning more towards the '64 because it's solid and that would be a better building block. This isn't going to be a buildup to a like factory condition, I'm going to make this custom and make it run. Also what would be a good solid engine to drop in. Of course I would like to put a 514 in it, but we all know that isn't practical for the street. I was thinking something like a 302, and I would really like to back it with a 6speed, but I don't know if that would be possible. 5 would work too, but that extra gear helps with mileage. This thread is kind of run around but I just need to get some ideas and opinions before I jump into this project. Thanks.

From what you've said I'd be leaning towards the '64 as well. Also I like the 64-66 body better than the 67/68. A 302 will drop right into either of the cars but a 351 or FE would fit much easier in the '68. But, if you ditch the shock towers and put a MustangII IFS under the '64 you will have room enough for anything you want want to throw at the car. Just remember those old cars can flex easy. But to answere your tranny question, either tranny can fit.

Thanks for the information. What kind of horsepower can I expect from a 302? I want to leave it naturally aspirated, but I certainly don't want to leave it stock. I was also looking into fuel injection, but I don't know how easy it would be to put a computer into a car like that. It might just be easier to go carbed. I thought about flex too, one of my friends said the older mustangs had a weak frame. I was thinking maybe a cage or some sort of frame bracing but I wasn't sure. Who makes a 6 speed that will fit a 302?

i also would get the 64. when restoring a car it is good to have it as untouched as possible. and if your swapping out the I6 for a 302 then its even better. you cant just say what kind of hp 302's make because for the 30 years they make them the hp ratings fluctuated A LOT. but without doing anything major you should be able to get 300 hp petty easy

By asking what kind of HP I could get I was talking in terms of a crate engine, not something from a mustang of that era. I figured it was an easy enough question, pardon me.

well a roush 327 would get you 425hp, but it would run you $10k... on dssracing you can get a 302 block for under 5k, or over, but they dont have the hp ratings on their longblocks on their website. found a webiste called fordcobraengines.com, they have a 302 with 373hp for about 4k, but idk how reputable that webiste/company is. if you go to fordracingparts.com they have 4 302 choices ranging from just over $3k to about $7k. from 320hp to 450

Just remember, generaqlly crate engines are very overrated. Take the hp # they give you, knowing its a flywheel hp #, then factor in the power loss for your accesories. With the 450hp crate egine you would be lucky to see 300rwhp thrue a manual tranny. Less than that with an auto.

Karll - Go for the '64.....the first year of the Mustang.....c'mon man it's a hands-down no-brainer decision!

Karll - Go for the '64.....the first year of the Mustang.....c'mon man it's a hands-down no-brainer decision!


Yea, I'm leaning towards the 64. I still have to get out there and see it though. I will let you know how it goes.

1.) You can put a T5 in any of the early cars no problem. A Tremec, however, will not fit in a '64.5-66 without fabricating a new trans tunnel. Its debatable if they fit in '67-70 chassis w/o a new tunnel. A T56 won't fit in any of the early cars witout a new tunnel.

2.)Nothing larger than a 351W will fit in a '64.5-66 without removing the shock towers and going with Mustang II front suspension. A 429/460 is a real tight fit in '67-70 cars, and slightly less so in '71-73. An FE is also a snug fit in '67-70 cars.

3.) A high revving 302 will max at about 450hp before the block becomes the weak point. A lower revving boosted 302 will top at about (arguably) 500-600rwhp. A build 351W stroker like a 408 can get up into that range without boost and without splitting the block.

1.) You can put a T5 in any of the early cars no problem. A Tremec, however, will not fit in a '64.5-66 without fabricating a new trans tunnel. Its debatable if they fit in '67-70 chassis w/o a new tunnel. A T56 won't fit in any of the early cars witout a new tunnel.

2.)Nothing larger than a 351W will fit in a '64.5-66 without removing the shock towers and going with Mustang II front suspension. A 429/460 is a real tight fit in '67-70 cars, and slightly less so in '71-73. An FE is also a snug fit in '67-70 cars.

I agree, however a 351w is hell to change spark plugs on when its in a 64.5-66. The tight fit is one of the reasons I sold my '66.

3.) A high revving 302 will max at about 450hp before the block becomes the weak point. A lower revving boosted 302 will top at about (arguably) 500-600rwhp. A build 351W stroker like a 408 can get up into that range without boost and without splitting the block.

A guy at TM.com just made 814 rwhp on a boosted '74 351w block. It all depends on how "safe" the tune is.