my next FE project
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
my next FE project
If I ever get my truck situation sorted out, I'm going to build another FE powered project. I think I've figured out most of it:
1967 Mercury Cougar
A nasty, but all motor FE. Probably an ALuminum block based 427+. It will have a nasty lope at idle, that sounds like it's about to die!
It will be mini-tubbed to accomodate some serious tires in the rear, but the front will be running adequate rubber to handle the corners as well as the straights, no skinny drag fronts here.
The car will be dropped slightly.
Color; that 70s flourescent lime green color, with some black accents.
I'm thinking it will need a T56 6sp manual tranny conversion to accomodate the 4.10s or such in the back, but have a smooth hum at 70 mph on the highway.
The dash will be all digital.
The interior willl be black, then more black around the black. SO that all you see at night is the gauges or anything else I decide to light up.
This will reside on a nice trailer behind my 67/69 F250 project on the way to many a car show and Drag race :-)
It's a simple dream...well not really.
1967 Mercury Cougar
A nasty, but all motor FE. Probably an ALuminum block based 427+. It will have a nasty lope at idle, that sounds like it's about to die!
It will be mini-tubbed to accomodate some serious tires in the rear, but the front will be running adequate rubber to handle the corners as well as the straights, no skinny drag fronts here.
The car will be dropped slightly.
Color; that 70s flourescent lime green color, with some black accents.
I'm thinking it will need a T56 6sp manual tranny conversion to accomodate the 4.10s or such in the back, but have a smooth hum at 70 mph on the highway.
The dash will be all digital.
The interior willl be black, then more black around the black. SO that all you see at night is the gauges or anything else I decide to light up.
This will reside on a nice trailer behind my 67/69 F250 project on the way to many a car show and Drag race :-)
It's a simple dream...well not really.
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16
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sounds like a plan, instead of T56, I'd look at the new TKO500 or TKO600, five speed manuals from tremec, handles 500 and 600 lbs of torque respectively. they're supposed to be available in either wide or close ratio gearing. they run for about $2k including the proper bellhousing to mount up to almost any block, built in short shifter, really it comes with everything you need except a clutch. and since you're going with the digital dash, the tko500 and 600 have mechanical and electronic speedometer hook ups. I don't know anyone running either of these trannys, but they sound promising.
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Well Greg... It all sounds good except the digital dash..I have one in my 4X4 Chebby!
And I HATE it..its a B*tch to read in a hurry...but it is purdy to look at..it lights up all blue with red highlights on the gauges.... Why do you think they sell more analog
Gauges than didtal? Of course im old school and grew up with analog..JMO-Russ
And I HATE it..its a B*tch to read in a hurry...but it is purdy to look at..it lights up all blue with red highlights on the gauges.... Why do you think they sell more analog
Gauges than didtal? Of course im old school and grew up with analog..JMO-Russ
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,888
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From: Iowa
theres a guy here in my town that has a 68 cougar painted the color you said you wanted yours, and it looks very nice with a lot of chrome, big drag tires in the back and skinnys in the front, the front end is dropped a bit and the back is raised a bit, the sad thing is its powered by a 351w. Sounds like you'll have a nice project going, im surprised your thinking about another project when your FE446 isnt done yet, but thats nice sounds like you have a lot of ambition, keep up the good work and good luck on both projects.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,268
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From: Eureka, Ca.
Sounds great. I wish I had your resources.
I would keep the 3.78" stroke and maybe go over on the bore,4.37". Light cars like high reving big bore short stroke motors. JMO
Looking forward to it.
I would keep the 3.78" stroke and maybe go over on the bore,4.37". Light cars like high reving big bore short stroke motors. JMO
Looking forward to it.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
I definitely need to finish some truck projects and sell some stuff before I dive into another project.
Sometimes I look at the FE446 motor and that heavy old truck and wonder "What was I thinking?".
I was debating wether I should go ahead and find a 390 powered Cougar. I even placed a beer induced bid on one on Ebay. Fortunately, I did not win or meet the reserve. So that I could put the 390 in the truck and build the FE446 into the Cougar. But, I guess I'll just finish this truck. I have a hard time finishing things. I love to start them, but following through is my weakness. I tend to get bored with a project before it's done...
Sometimes I look at the FE446 motor and that heavy old truck and wonder "What was I thinking?".
I was debating wether I should go ahead and find a 390 powered Cougar. I even placed a beer induced bid on one on Ebay. Fortunately, I did not win or meet the reserve. So that I could put the 390 in the truck and build the FE446 into the Cougar. But, I guess I'll just finish this truck. I have a hard time finishing things. I love to start them, but following through is my weakness. I tend to get bored with a project before it's done...
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Elder User
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Originally Posted by gtex
I have a hard time finishing things. I love to start them, but following through is my weakness. I tend to get bored with a project before it's done...
There's a lot of fun and energy around new projects.
I started collecting '29 parts before my truck engine was done.
And now I'm even wondering if I should put the warmer motor into that and do a mild stock engine for the truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Eureka, Ca.
My 390 will find it's way into a 32 ford duce. The truck will then find itself with a mild 390 for towing and work. I had to start somewhere. The truck was only 150 with a good 9" rear, C6, straight frame, new tires, good electrical and brakes.
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Greg..you dont need to have a garage sale!!! Just give all your spare stuff to the
Help Russ get his motor together Foundation...And you wont have to Deal with all
the Cigarette Butts in your driveway!!! ( I can make you a reciept for Taxes! LOL!!
Know kidding!!! I happen to be a Rev.....Believe it or not! Russ...
Help Russ get his motor together Foundation...And you wont have to Deal with all
the Cigarette Butts in your driveway!!! ( I can make you a reciept for Taxes! LOL!!
Know kidding!!! I happen to be a Rev.....Believe it or not! Russ...
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Evanston, WY
I think my next FE project is going to still be my current FE project. I just can't see myself in a car.
Once it is completed I think I'm going to start building a tube frame and coil over suspension for it, with disc rear brakes and fiberglass front clip. At some point after that a fiberglass cab. I want to make it as light as it can be, definately under 4500, maybe closer to 4000. The only thing I have as a rule is that it has to look like a stock Hiboy with a lift, and inside the cab has to look stock with the exception of a roll cage. Everything else can be all animal. Heck, I'm already thinking about making my own fiberglass bumpers front and rear. It can't be that tough.
As for your Cougar, two schools of thought. Big inch, low rpm, hi grunt, or Small displacement, low grunt, hi rpm HP. Man, an aluminum block with a big bore like 4.375 with a 3.5 or 3.78 crank would keep you from spinning your tires out of the hole, then rip your head off when you hit around 5000-7500! The cool thing would be that steel 3.78 cranks are pretty easy to come by.
-Scouder
-Scouder
Once it is completed I think I'm going to start building a tube frame and coil over suspension for it, with disc rear brakes and fiberglass front clip. At some point after that a fiberglass cab. I want to make it as light as it can be, definately under 4500, maybe closer to 4000. The only thing I have as a rule is that it has to look like a stock Hiboy with a lift, and inside the cab has to look stock with the exception of a roll cage. Everything else can be all animal. Heck, I'm already thinking about making my own fiberglass bumpers front and rear. It can't be that tough.
As for your Cougar, two schools of thought. Big inch, low rpm, hi grunt, or Small displacement, low grunt, hi rpm HP. Man, an aluminum block with a big bore like 4.375 with a 3.5 or 3.78 crank would keep you from spinning your tires out of the hole, then rip your head off when you hit around 5000-7500! The cool thing would be that steel 3.78 cranks are pretty easy to come by.
-Scouder
-Scouder
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Mickey Thompson just came out with drag radials Brian! Hot Rod Mag got almost as good 60 foot times with them as they did with the real slicks. This will allow us to put some more low end grunt in our builds. I still like the idea of a short stroke shelby block turning 8,500rpm. That would sound so good!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Yeah, sometimes I look at the pile, er, I mean truck, and think "I'm putting the 390 into that??? There's just so many old mustangs up to Rons that are just begging to be restored! Screw the truck, it can keep the 360!" Then the almighty dollar comes into mind. 
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
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From: Littleton, CO
Hey Greg:
I'll ship you my wifes 68 XR7 for practice since I'm a little tied up with my 65 F100
BTW, I just left the lovely town of McAllen on Wednesday, sorry it wasn't a pleasure trip, would have been fun to spend some time there.
--Mike
I'll ship you my wifes 68 XR7 for practice since I'm a little tied up with my 65 F100
BTW, I just left the lovely town of McAllen on Wednesday, sorry it wasn't a pleasure trip, would have been fun to spend some time there.
--Mike