New engine. Need to switch trans?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
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New engine. Need to switch trans?
here is what i would do: check for good oil pressure, check the compression to see how much the cylinders are worn, do a vacuum test , pull a valve cover to see how clean it is. if all this comes up good, i would tune it up, change the oiland use a quality oil filter. new belts, hoses, change oil in differential, and service the transmission.
check the brake system and any other safety systems, then drive the daylights out of it. if it runs well, it probably will run well for a while longer. in the mean time, out a plan together to rebuild or find a good engine. since you just got it, i would drive it to find out if it is what you really want to dump money into.
i'll get off the soapbox now!! just a few thoughts!
check the brake system and any other safety systems, then drive the daylights out of it. if it runs well, it probably will run well for a while longer. in the mean time, out a plan together to rebuild or find a good engine. since you just got it, i would drive it to find out if it is what you really want to dump money into.
i'll get off the soapbox now!! just a few thoughts!
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27
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New engine. Need to switch trans?
Well I love the car It looks awesome (it even has the suicide doors) and performs well (A little rusty) I'm sure that this is the car I want to spend money on but I don't want to keep dumping money into it. I want to fix it up and have it run like a new car (thats why I'm looking for a new 90's engine). I do want to keep it original but I'd rather have it in excellent working order (daily driving) and perform like it was new or better. If I do get a new engine I want one that will do this (preferably drop in too :P ) if I don't I would want the old engine to do this as well :P
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
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New engine. Need to switch trans?
spend the bucks on a 460 or rebuild the 429...i think you will be as happy with the 429 rebuilt as you would with a 460. you already have the 429, so why spend more on a 460..?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 571
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New engine. Need to switch trans?
NO! You're going to have to do MANY mods to get a newer engine into that car! You will have to run new wiring, and integrate the new computer into your old car.
WHERE DID YOU GET THIS IDEA THAT OLD ENGINES ARE NOT AS GOOD??!
For your application, an older engine would be better, and MUCH easier. Newer engines are all computer controlled, where as the older engines aren't.
The best thing you could do at this point is to open your mind. You won't get any help here if you're unwilling to accept it! Go back, and re-read this entire thread with an open mind. You can't expect us to help you if you won't listen to what we're trying to tell you.
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
WHERE DID YOU GET THIS IDEA THAT OLD ENGINES ARE NOT AS GOOD??!
For your application, an older engine would be better, and MUCH easier. Newer engines are all computer controlled, where as the older engines aren't.
The best thing you could do at this point is to open your mind. You won't get any help here if you're unwilling to accept it! Go back, and re-read this entire thread with an open mind. You can't expect us to help you if you won't listen to what we're trying to tell you.
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 241
Likes: 2
From: Holland, Michigan
New engine. Need to switch trans?
I have to agree with hp_guy on this. Dropping in an older motor would be: Easier, Cheaper, Smarter, Less Time Consuming, and overall the Right Choice To Make!!!!!!!!!! Just rebuild your 429. You said you were concerned with gas prices, so just rebuild the 429 and keep your foot out of the pedal. No matter what motor you put in the car, you're not going to get really good mileage out of it. Just bite the bullet and rebuilt the 429. I still think you can find someone to do it cheaper than you had listed, but I may be wrong. Older motors are just as dependable as newer motors, just have to treat them right. Besides they are easier and cheaper to fix. That's just my thoughts.
"Stuck with a m*par, Settle for a ch*vy, Happy with a Ford!!!!"
"Stuck with a m*par, Settle for a ch*vy, Happy with a Ford!!!!"
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
New engine. Need to switch trans?
I have recently bought this car and theres nothing wrong with the engine except it's got 120k miles on it (I don't think older engines last as long as newer ones). I've had a few problems with it (Nothing really expensive) but I want the car to run like new. So I think that fixing or replaceing the old engine is a good start.
I think this thread is becoming so long, because everybody is
concerned you are making a big mistake. If it is running good,
don't mess with it. If you just acquired the car, you can't
make a good judgement of it's running condition if you don't
drive it. I have never had a new car. The newest car I own
is a 86 and it was 12 years old when I got it. Most of the
cars I've had have been from the 60's and I used them as daily
transportation. The only times I have been left sitting is
timing chains wearing out, and the occasional dirty battery
cable. Everthing else always gives warning signs and after I
work through a rash of small problems, the cars are always very
dependable. I wouldn't mess with the engine unless it fouls
the plugs with oil.
I think this thread is becoming so long, because everybody is
concerned you are making a big mistake. If it is running good,
don't mess with it. If you just acquired the car, you can't
make a good judgement of it's running condition if you don't
drive it. I have never had a new car. The newest car I own
is a 86 and it was 12 years old when I got it. Most of the
cars I've had have been from the 60's and I used them as daily
transportation. The only times I have been left sitting is
timing chains wearing out, and the occasional dirty battery
cable. Everthing else always gives warning signs and after I
work through a rash of small problems, the cars are always very
dependable. I wouldn't mess with the engine unless it fouls
the plugs with oil.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
New engine. Need to switch trans?
I see what you are saying about not useing a modern engine in the car. I've been told that older engines don't make it further than 100k before they start haveing major problems and that a rebuilt one only lives half as long. Would any mechanic be able to rebuild one or should I go to one who specializes in older cars? If not a rebuild would a later model T-bird engine ('78 400 or earlier) fit in the same? Sorry for being a pain in the ##### but I do appreciate the help it really does help my decision.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 571
Likes: 2
New engine. Need to switch trans?
DUDE!! Sorry, It just doesn't seem like you're paying any attention!
<<Either rebuild the 429, or put in a rebuilt 460!>>
If you're going to have problems just swapping a tranny, then you're going to REALLY have problems putting in anything BUT a 460! If there is nothing wrong with the 429, then WHY IN THE ##### ARE YOU so WORRIED WITH REBUILDING IT??! Don't do more work than is necessary!
As far as engines only going to 100k, That's the way I feel about new engines. The best determination as to how far an engine will go is how well it's taken care of.
Did you not say that there was nothing wrong with the 429, and that it wasn't burning oil or smoking? Why are you so concerned with doing work that doesn't need done?!
Any reputable mechanic can do the rebuild for you, and a smaller place will probably do a better job and charge less.
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
<<Either rebuild the 429, or put in a rebuilt 460!>>
If you're going to have problems just swapping a tranny, then you're going to REALLY have problems putting in anything BUT a 460! If there is nothing wrong with the 429, then WHY IN THE ##### ARE YOU so WORRIED WITH REBUILDING IT??! Don't do more work than is necessary!
As far as engines only going to 100k, That's the way I feel about new engines. The best determination as to how far an engine will go is how well it's taken care of.
Did you not say that there was nothing wrong with the 429, and that it wasn't burning oil or smoking? Why are you so concerned with doing work that doesn't need done?!
Any reputable mechanic can do the rebuild for you, and a smaller place will probably do a better job and charge less.
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
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