200ci 1966 Mustang coupe pre-build thread

This applies only to 200ci
Mech4niq

Mech4niq

New member
Supporter 2021
Hi All. New guy here both in terms of Ford L6 engines and the forum community. At the outset I realize that 99.9% of what I am about to ask is most likely covered in this forum in some shape or form. Digesting everything is quite a task for a newbie so here goes.

I have a 1966 Mustang Coupe with a bone stock (small log) motor and automatic transmission (and all the other OEM accurate bits and pieces). The car chassis/interior were completely restored sometime in the 90's (judging by the hairdo's in the resto photographs that came with the car), and well maintained since the restoration. Unfortunately I do not know if the engine/transmission were rebuilt or just repainted. The motor runs fairly well but as you know not much in it and kind of scary to drive on the highway. The transmission is, well, "jerky" comes to mind; needs a rebuild or some service.

I want to address the power deficiency in stages to ensure I don't "disable" the car for long periods and do a parallel engine build. In addition, I'll be swapping the jerky auto tranny to a manual. The ultimate end goal is to build a balanced crank unit with a mild degreed cam, VI aluminum head and 4bbl carb mated to a T5 trans. I will be buying a used "donor" motor/trans to have parallel parts to work on during my staged build (see bottom of thread for potential donor that is currently available to me)

Stage 1: Use a donor large log head to perform a 2V conversion, valve job (upgrade the exhaust valve size and seats), and rocker arm with a 1.6:1 ratio - install onto the current stock motor and equip with 2 barrel carb and the required distributor upgrade using the donor distributor. Install exhaust headers.
Stage 2: Install the donor manual transmission - 6 in the trans code indicates an SROD 4 a Borg Warner T4 with a T5 compatible bell housing.
Stage 3. Procure the VI aluminum head - build as needed. Rebuild donor block, balance, degree new mild cam. Swap the assembly into the car mating to the previously installed donor manual transmission. Install a 4 barrel carb and a decent distributor. Install new exhaust headers.
Stage 4. Procure a T5 transmission and install into the car.

My questions is: is the below donor power/trans unit suitable to carry out my genius plan; I could not get better pics of the trans.
My follow up question is: do I need to keep the clutch master cylinder and linkages or this requires a new setup?
My follow follow up question is: will this trans and, eventually the T5 even fit in my 66?

Donor out of a 1981 Foxbody
 

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more donor junkyard art
 

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Sorry I have no late model clutch actuation experience, so I cannot help there, but I like your plan...That head is one of the best logs.
 
I'm no expert on the later model low-mount starter 200s. But if you don't have a copy of the Falcon Six Performance Handbook already, get one. Pretty much everything you have brought up is addressed there.
 
TrickSix said:
I'm no expert on the later model low-mount starter 200s. But if you don't have a copy of the Falcon Six Performance Handbook already, get one. Pretty much everything you have brought up is addressed there.
Click to expand...
I do in fact just got it last week and haven't had a chance to read yet.
drag-200stang said:
It is hard to see but this one is a high mount.
Click to expand...
That's a low mount starter. Doing more reading a seems that 1981 Fox Bodies with 3.3 T4 were all high mount blocks
 
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Really cool project you got here, I dont have much in the way of advice, that is for others to chime in. Welcome to the forum!
 
Mech4niq said:
I do in fact just got it last week and haven't had a chance to read yet.

That's a low mount starter. Doing more reading a seems that 1981 Fox Bodies with 3.3 T4 were all high mount blocks
Click to expand...
Yea, I was having a hard time interpreting that picture's perspective. When I saw the different dipstick location, I went low. Even as a high mount starter block, does it have the same bellhousing bolt pattern on the back as your older block? If I understand your sequence of events, you plan to install the newer bellhousing and four speed onto the older block. I never read that section of the book much, I don't know off the top of my head.
 
Here is some of what I know, yes x2 that 1981 Fox chassis 200 (is the same high mount starter) and the T4 trans can both bolt right into your 1966 Mustang chassis with a little work. But it will require a few changes the biggest is you need to swap out the Fox chassis oil pan and oil pump pickup tube over to your current 1966 front sump oil pan and pick up tube. All high mount 1966 up 200 blocks to the end of production will have the same bell housing bolt pattern. Only the rare 1980's low mount 200 blocks are different having the 2/3 of the SBF V8 bolt pattern all of those low mount starter blocks were originally used with the C5 Auto Transmission. The E series T 4 bell housing is a great one to use it will allow a T5 Trans to bolt up without an adapter plate. I believe that these late Fox chassis bell housings use a Cable type through out bearing release arm. So you will need to remove those stock 1966 manual clutch parts (but do save those parts there are lots of site members that can maybe use them) that is if your Mustang has them now otherwise you don't need to even look for them. The Mustang Steve Cable clutch pedal kit is the best one made to convert the early Mustangs and other Fords over to a cable clutch pedal and it follows Fords excellent designed cable system. I don't know if you can adapt the Fox chassis cable clutch pedal parts but that may be an option too. Last major thing is that the 200 sixes built in 1978-1979, used either cast iron, cast steel, or nodular iron Connecting Rod not as good for a performance build though is find for a stock street engine build, Ford did go back to the better forged rods again in 1980. In any case your 1966 engine as well as most of the other 200 six'es will have the better forged rods too. Sounds like a very good build plan best of luck
 
I've been reading up on later blocks, that's a good donor car. I don't see anything in your list about switching from four lug wheels to five. Might as well get a Maverick 8" but four lug rear axle too.
 
Yes, brakes and 5 lug conversion in the future. Brakea are downright dangerous. The car lurches to the left when applying the pedal. I'll have to work that into the overall plan.
 
If you plan to drive the car spirited get rid of the 6 spindles, especially with taller and wider tires...I broke two and the fender repair got old.
Think about it the V8 got stronger spindles and it wieghs less than one normal adult.
 
some 'go too far' in my assessment. Have fun doin it ur way~
 
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