A
Anonymous
Guest
Hi everyone, I am a newbee on the board and am not very astute when it comes to automotive mechanics, so I am seeking advice on my restoration project. I am in the process of restoring my 68 mustang coupe with stock 200 ci I6 and 3 speed manual transmission. This car was purchased new by my grandmother in 68 and handed down to me when she passed in 82. It is relatively rust free and sound mechanically. It has 108,000 miles on the engine, the compression is good, it uses very little oil, valves were redone at about 85,000, new clutch added at 90,000.
I will completely redo the interior and have a quality paint job & new vinyl top put on, brakes were recently completely redone with stock drums & new master cylinder along with the stock Autolite carburator rebuilt (Unfortunately I did this before I had an upgrade strategy, otherwise I would have upgraded to disc brakes and done something different with the carburator). I will use this car as a weekend driver, want maiximum driveability with optimum performance. I do not want to have to use octane boosters, plan on mainly using 92 octane unleaded, but would like to be able to go with 89 in a pinch if I have to. I would like to keep the car as “stock” appearing as possible. I have ordered the Falcon Performance Manual & will use this to assist my upgrading strategy. In the interim, I have been going through the board and other websites profusely and would like opinions to my performance plans along with advice on the questions I pose below
1) Add headers, probably from Clifford, although I haven’t decided between duel vs single outlet yet. How much performance increase would I see with duel over single outlet, how much of an issue is the starter clearance issue, whats the deal with the header overheating the starter and do Cliffords headers come with some type of heat treatment/coating, or do I have to pay them or someone else extra for this.
2) Upgrade to electronic ignition, thinking of the Pertronix ignition to keep the stock distributor. How much better/more performance would I achieve from the Duraspark upgrade? Also, Clifford recommended Mallory, but this is $$$, is it that much better than either of the above?
3) New carburator (I screwed up here before and want to get it right this time). Been thinking about a YF 1bbl rebuild off a 250 – what do you think. Am concerned about hood clearance, so what model should I look for. Clifford recommended a Weber 38 although again, this is major $$$ and it seems most people here prefer the YF. Also, are there other carb options that would allow me to keep the stock air cleaner?
4) 260 comp header – now or later, what do you all think, do I need to have the heads redone with this to see significant performance benefit. As I would like to be able to use 89-octane fuel, I am leaning with a 260 vs 264, is this the right strategy, is there a difference?
5) Redo the heads – this is where I really need help. I am unclear as to what to have done to them to achieve the performance increase I seek other than a 3-angle valve job. Any detailed advice here would be greatly appreciated.
How much performance (HP) increase would I see at each stage? My ultimate goal is 160-180HP. I will do 1, 2 and maybe 3 right off the bat, am deliberating on 4 & 5 now versus later, depending on funds. Also, at what point if any would I need to consider a better radiator? I live in the pacific NW, so it doesn’t get that hot most of the time. Am I missing anything else?
Thanks in advance,
Mike.
I will completely redo the interior and have a quality paint job & new vinyl top put on, brakes were recently completely redone with stock drums & new master cylinder along with the stock Autolite carburator rebuilt (Unfortunately I did this before I had an upgrade strategy, otherwise I would have upgraded to disc brakes and done something different with the carburator). I will use this car as a weekend driver, want maiximum driveability with optimum performance. I do not want to have to use octane boosters, plan on mainly using 92 octane unleaded, but would like to be able to go with 89 in a pinch if I have to. I would like to keep the car as “stock” appearing as possible. I have ordered the Falcon Performance Manual & will use this to assist my upgrading strategy. In the interim, I have been going through the board and other websites profusely and would like opinions to my performance plans along with advice on the questions I pose below
1) Add headers, probably from Clifford, although I haven’t decided between duel vs single outlet yet. How much performance increase would I see with duel over single outlet, how much of an issue is the starter clearance issue, whats the deal with the header overheating the starter and do Cliffords headers come with some type of heat treatment/coating, or do I have to pay them or someone else extra for this.
2) Upgrade to electronic ignition, thinking of the Pertronix ignition to keep the stock distributor. How much better/more performance would I achieve from the Duraspark upgrade? Also, Clifford recommended Mallory, but this is $$$, is it that much better than either of the above?
3) New carburator (I screwed up here before and want to get it right this time). Been thinking about a YF 1bbl rebuild off a 250 – what do you think. Am concerned about hood clearance, so what model should I look for. Clifford recommended a Weber 38 although again, this is major $$$ and it seems most people here prefer the YF. Also, are there other carb options that would allow me to keep the stock air cleaner?
4) 260 comp header – now or later, what do you all think, do I need to have the heads redone with this to see significant performance benefit. As I would like to be able to use 89-octane fuel, I am leaning with a 260 vs 264, is this the right strategy, is there a difference?
5) Redo the heads – this is where I really need help. I am unclear as to what to have done to them to achieve the performance increase I seek other than a 3-angle valve job. Any detailed advice here would be greatly appreciated.
How much performance (HP) increase would I see at each stage? My ultimate goal is 160-180HP. I will do 1, 2 and maybe 3 right off the bat, am deliberating on 4 & 5 now versus later, depending on funds. Also, at what point if any would I need to consider a better radiator? I live in the pacific NW, so it doesn’t get that hot most of the time. Am I missing anything else?
Thanks in advance,
Mike.
