Just bought a '68 Mustang 289 2v coupe, what should I do first?

[bunskippy]

I'm new to muscle cars, but always loved these and a deal came along that was too good to pass up. Now I have this car and am wondering what to do first mechanically. It seems to run ok (low idle speed, I think -- it sometimes stalls out if I don't let it run for a while after startup). I'll do some interior work on it, but am wondering if I should take it to a Mustang mechanic shop somewhere -- but if so, what should I ask them to look at? I'm mostly interested in engine, tranny, etc. But i don't want to pay $400 for labor for someone to tell me "everything's ok" and leave it at that...
any advice or easy first project to tackle would be welcome. Also, anything to listen for or test to see how the car is responding would be great. Thanks for your advice!

[redhorseV6]

first thing: put on an aftermarket exhaust. escpecially if you have a single exhaust. after that get a 4-barrel carb and intake. these mods should put you real close to 300 hp. (the 4-barrel carb/intake was used on the hi-performance 289, which was otherwise the same as the regular 289. the hi-performance was rated at 270 hp in '68, the normal 200 hp.

and yes, you should have it checked out. make sure all the wiring and tubing and such is okay, and replace all that needs replacing. also, get some synthetic oil and put it in there to clean out the internals. it would also be wise to go ahead and replace the spark plugs just to be safe.

[flex339]

update the old points ignition to a modern ignition if this hasn't been done all ready. It will give you better performance and better mpg.

[MrBB]

It sounds to me that you may need to have your carb overhauled first to remedy that stalling problem. If you are planning on keeping the engine the way it is right now, like redhorse said, I would go through the engine compartment and check all the vacuum hoses, wiring and depending on how long it has sat, replace things like the thermostat, oil pressure sender, and water temp sender. Wiring harnesses and many other things can be expensive so get everything running right before you start spending money to upgrade it.

[67coupe]

"first thing: put on an aftermarket exhaust. escpecially if you have a single exhaust. after that get a 4-barrel carb and intake. these mods should put you real close to 300 hp. (the 4-barrel carb/intake was used on the hi-performance 289, which was otherwise the same as the regular 289. the hi-performance was rated at 270 hp in '68, the normal 200 hp."


1. Adding a 4 barrel intake and headers to a low compression engine with stock cam won't come anywhere close to 300hp. Maybe a 20-40hp increase at most.

2. There are lot of things different about the 271hp/289 other than intake and exhaust. A real 289hp has no harmonic balancer because it is internaly balanced,(different crank). It is also a solid lifter cam. There are more things different but I haven't seen one in about 30 years so this was the best I could do.

[bunskippy]

thanks for the tips, appreciate them.
Any recommendations on the new exhaust? It has a single exhaust now -- is it enough to put a Flowmaster exhaust on there, or should I tackle diff. headers and expand to a dual-pipe? (read below for my enthusiasm/experience ratio) What is the benefit of the new exhaust (5-10hp and better sound?)

Apparently it has a new carb (still 2bbl) on it, but tuning that and the plugs is a good tip. Unfortunately, the seller was not too informative on history (she'd only had it for a few years, got it in high school, etc.)
I should have mentioned I'm also a newbie to the auto mechanics area (nothing like diving right in, huh?) Sooo, the care came with a Chilton's manual for Mustangs '64-73 which I've just started to look through -- is that enough reference, or should I go get the Ford Manual for that year's vehicle?
Also, if I tackle one of these projects (upgrading points ignition to modern ignition, say) is there a manual on how to do so, what to look out for, etc? if I buy an upgrade kit, will it have detailed instructions on what to do?
I'm excited for the learning process and the challenge, just don't want to dive in so far over my head I get discouraged... Maybe I'm crazy (no garage, no car lift), but I'm keen to start doing stuff.
thx for your advice

[flex339]

search the forums and the web for info on different "projects" on your car. Those steps have been recorded in many books and mags. For exhaust I went hooker headers, flowmaster mufflers and turn down tips under the car. With the 280H comp cam in the engine the thing sounded beasty.