Classic Mustangs List Archive

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Art Borin (email redacted)



KE Martin wrote:

> Man, I can't believe that I haven't seen any entries today.
>
>
>

Well, maybe I can change that. I'm new to the list as of yesterday, and I'm
considering a project.

About 20 years ago, when I was in high school, I purchased a 66 convertible
with a 200 and 3 speed. The car was nice visually but a mechanical wreck.

I rebuilt the 200, and rebuilt the 3 speed. I drove the car for a few
years, and then sold it to my father (for money for college). He parked it
in a barn, where it has sat for the last 18 years. During that time it had
a unistrut channel installed in the side frame box to correct the sagging
frame, and it had the rear quarters done.
My feeling is that it has a solid frame to start from. I'll find out for
sure this weekend.

At this time, the car does not start, and hasn't been touched in years. The
Pony interior is mouse infested, and the wiring loom is fried due to a
ham-handed jumpstart attempt by a sibling.

I loved this car. I even remember the vin number after all these years.

I now have the chance to buy it back.

But............(deep breath)

I always wanted a 289. You know how I feel. There is nothing like hearing
the rumble of dual trumpets, with the top down on a sunny fall day, cruising
the countryside with your girl .

So here is my dilema. Buy the car and do a 289 conversion (I have a pretty
good idea what it's going to take), or fix her up and trade her for a 289
convertible.

I have no idea what her value is. I have no idea what an A code 66
convertible will cost. Or better yet, a GT convertible. I've seen some
"internet prices", they're just outta the park.

I do know that a conversion will give me a 4 speed with K code horsepower,
and power disc brakes. It will have stainless dual exhaust, and electronic
ignition hidden in the distributor. It will be a new engine, and the car
will be examined from tip to tail. It'll be one hell of a pretty driver.

What is the current feeling in the community on v8 conversions? Has anybody
on the list done one.

Any info at all will be appreciated.

Fire away! Really. Let me have it.

Art Borin
Goshen, NY



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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Eric E. Neumeister (email redacted)

Art,
If you have the time and your pockets are deep enough, I
say do the
conversion and stick with this car. I have heard countless
stories from
my parents, their friends, my friends and complete strangers
that got rid
of a car they truly loved and now will regret it for the
rest of their lives.

I have a 66 coupe that was the "kids'" car to drive while I
was in High School.
Me being the oldest bugged Dad for a classic mustang until
he bought one in '83.
Long story short when I left the house for the Army in '84
my little brother took
possession and I was finally able to re-acquire it from him
two years later. This
car has been everywhere with me, but unfortunately I have
learned the hard way
about taking care of cars and I am now in the process of
tearing it down completely
(much like you are suggesting) and repairing everything that
is worn. I also like
a lot of the options available on new cars, power windows,
door locks etc. and want
power enough to make it respectable when facing new sports
cars. My feeling is
this is MY car and I can make it exactly what I want and I
will still have the car
I drove in High School, though the frame may be the only
thing left original, I'll
take the money I would spend on a new car and make this a
new car with a classic
body.

Of course this is just my opinion and how I am looking at my
car.

Eric
----- Original Message -----
From: Art Borin <(email redacted)>
To: <(email redacted)>
Sent: Friday, November 12, 1999 1:01 PM
Subject: [CM:19261] Opening a can of worms..........


>
>
> KE Martin wrote:
>
> > Man, I can't believe that I haven't seen any entries
today.
> >
> >
> >
>
> Well, maybe I can change that. I'm new to the list as of
yesterday, and I'm
> considering a project.
>
> About 20 years ago, when I was in high school, I purchased
a 66 convertible
> with a 200 and 3 speed. The car was nice visually but a
mechanical wreck.
>
> I rebuilt the 200, and rebuilt the 3 speed. I drove the
car for a few
> years, and then sold it to my father (for money for
college). He parked it
> in a barn, where it has sat for the last 18 years. During
that time it had
> a unistrut channel installed in the side frame box to
correct the sagging
> frame, and it had the rear quarters done.
> My feeling is that it has a solid frame to start from.
I'll find out for
> sure this weekend.
>
> At this time, the car does not start, and hasn't been
touched in years. The
> Pony interior is mouse infested, and the wiring loom is
fried due to a
> ham-handed jumpstart attempt by a sibling.
>
> I loved this car. I even remember the vin number after
all these years.
>
> I now have the chance to buy it back.
>
> But............(deep breath)
>
> I always wanted a 289. You know how I feel. There is
nothing like hearing
> the rumble of dual trumpets, with the top down on a sunny
fall day, cruising
> the countryside with your girl .
>
> So here is my dilema. Buy the car and do a 289 conversion
(I have a pretty
> good idea what it's going to take), or fix her up and
trade her for a 289
> convertible.
>
> I have no idea what her value is. I have no idea what an
A code 66
> convertible will cost. Or better yet, a GT convertible.
I've seen some
> "internet prices", they're just outta the park.
>
> I do know that a conversion will give me a 4 speed with K
code horsepower,
> and power disc brakes. It will have stainless dual
exhaust, and electronic
> ignition hidden in the distributor. It will be a new
engine, and the car
> will be examined from tip to tail. It'll be one hell of a
pretty driver.
>
> What is the current feeling in the community on v8
conversions? Has anybody
> on the list done one.
>
> Any info at all will be appreciated.
>
> Fire away! Really. Let me have it.
>
> Art Borin
> Goshen, NY
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
--------------
> All the list info you'll ever want:
antler.moose.to/~server/cm
>


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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Edward F. Chase III (email redacted)

Here's what seems to be the basic opinion of this list whenever the "I
have a 6cyl, but want an 8cyl" comment comes up...

Save your pennies and buy the car that you really want.

It isn't exactly cheap to do the 8cyl conversion correctly. It is the
opinion of the list that you could find an 8cyl car cheaper than you
could make one. I suppose that it's a matter of how long your willing
to look and how far your willing to travel. Myself being in the
northeast get sick when I see the prices of AZ and CA cars that
sometimes get posted on this list, especially knowing that they most
likely don't have a rust spot on them...


Art Borin wrote:
>
> Well, maybe I can change that. I'm new to the list as of yesterday, and I'm
> considering a project.
>
> About 20 years ago, when I was in high school, I purchased a 66 convertible
> with a 200 and 3 speed. The car was nice visually but a mechanical wreck.
>
> I rebuilt the 200, and rebuilt the 3 speed. I drove the car for a few
> years, and then sold it to my father (for money for college). He parked it
> in a barn, where it has sat for the last 18 years. During that time it had
> a unistrut channel installed in the side frame box to correct the sagging
> frame, and it had the rear quarters done.
> My feeling is that it has a solid frame to start from. I'll find out for
> sure this weekend.
>
> At this time, the car does not start, and hasn't been touched in years. The
> Pony interior is mouse infested, and the wiring loom is fried due to a
> ham-handed jumpstart attempt by a sibling.
>
> I loved this car. I even remember the vin number after all these years.
>
> I now have the chance to buy it back.
>
> But............(deep breath)
>
> I always wanted a 289. You know how I feel. There is nothing like hearing
> the rumble of dual trumpets, with the top down on a sunny fall day, cruising
> the countryside with your girl .
>
> So here is my dilema. Buy the car and do a 289 conversion (I have a pretty
> good idea what it's going to take), or fix her up and trade her for a 289
> convertible.
>
> I have no idea what her value is. I have no idea what an A code 66
> convertible will cost. Or better yet, a GT convertible. I've seen some
> "internet prices", they're just outta the park.
>
> I do know that a conversion will give me a 4 speed with K code horsepower,
> and power disc brakes. It will have stainless dual exhaust, and electronic
> ignition hidden in the distributor. It will be a new engine, and the car
> will be examined from tip to tail. It'll be one hell of a pretty driver.
>
> What is the current feeling in the community on v8 conversions? Has anybody
> on the list done one.
>
> Any info at all will be appreciated.
>
> Fire away! Really. Let me have it.
>
> Art Borin
> Goshen, NY

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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: W. Khan (email redacted)

 

Art Borin wrote:

>  
> Well, maybe I can change that.  I'm new to the list as of yesterday, and I'm
> considering a project.  <...stuff deleted...>

Art,

I'm in the process of making a decision kind of like the one you're making now. 
But, I would consider that you may need a new harness, and you didn't mention
the condition of the body (floors, torque boxes, inner rockers (very important
in convertibles), etc.).  For these reasons, I would keep that car as a parts
car or sell it, and get a V8 car.  I've heard the work involved in performing a
conversion is not minor.  (OTOH, you do seem to be quite involve with the car,
and you don't seem to be in any rush...)  But again, if it was up to me, I'd buy
a (proper) v8 in better shape -much less work involved and you would spend more
time driving it than repairing it.

Good luck with whatever your decision is,

Will
 


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