Hey, I currently sold my last project, a 1998 Mustang, and im in the market with some power and muscle and somethingthat is easier to work on than a F/I system. I was wondering out of the 70s era with a 350 engine, which year would be the best buy (the easiest to mod, has the most power stock and has the most parts on the market) or are they basically all equal?

 

79 was the highest production year and would be more abundant. They are all pretty much equal, since you can do whatever you want to the powertrain. Your best bet might be 77-80, although 79-81 dash parts are hard to find aftermarket. Most of the early years that I've seen, 71-75 or so, usually had a lot of cancer. However, they offered more stock HP. Mute since anything you get will need a rebuild anyway. Then you can get as much as you need.

 

What are the big things i should look for when buying a 2nd gen? Ive got two friends that have one each. One has a 79 305the other has a 75350and they have some problems here and there butare there thingsi should look for so i canavoid such problems?

 

The main things to look for: rot in the sub frames and rear spring pockets, floor pans, where the rear quarters and rockerpanels meet, thats a bad spot. The front subframe mounts like to rot out. Rot in the lower cowl, you wont find that till you remove the fenders, the rear pan behind the bumper, under the wing on the deck lid, and sometimes around the windsheild. Look at how bad the door hinges are, they wear and the door and striker gets torn up, My brothers stiker bolt finaly tore loose from the surrounding metal and mine's tearing up the door sill. Stance: if it's got 14 inch tires and the sub frame is an inch off the pavement, the springs are probably broke, my friends Berlinetta and one of my donor cars had this issue. You primarily need to look over the sub structure real good, everything else bolts on and is easily replaced, ie: hood, doors, fenders, and decklid. The newer the car, typicaly, the least rust.

 

I think 78-81 would be your best bet. Not the fastest 2nd generation but if you rebuild the engine then it really doesn't matter.

 

Is there a way to tell if it has a LM1overa L65engine? because those have the most power out of the 2nd gen right? About15 more hp i think was the difference.

 

I'd buy a 78-80 and try to find one from the southern USA.....no snow, less salt, less rust, unless of course it was sitting in the yard for years as an ornament. Most parts are readily available for these years and they are fairly easy to work on. As for the F/ issues, I'd rebuilt a good 350 and then put on the Edelbrock or the Holley fuel injection system. Carbs are nice but fuel injection IMO is alot more reliable and consistent.

 

I know that F/I systems are nice and all, my other project was a 98 Mustang, butwith all the computer components it took the fun out of modding it because i couldnt do much without removing a whole load of stuff or programming this or that with a tuner i didnt have nor could i afford at the time, im just lookin for something alittle more hands on.