Ok guys this is going to be a long one.

Back in 1989 my mother was looking for a new sporty car. Being a single mother with out a lot of money it was between a mustang and a new black T-top V6. I think she made a wise choice . After 20 years 230,000 miles and having a few young drivers the car still starts adn runs. The sad part to this story is the last few years have not been good to the car. Two accidents caused a good amount of damage to the rear of the car resulting in a new white rear end and some bad damage to the rear fender from backing up into a large bolder at the end of our drive way. The last few years of sitting have also been hard of on the wiring and the old transmission is near teh end of her rope. If you didnt catch it at the top thats 230,000 on a stock 2.8 thats never had the valve covers off and on the stock auto . Before you start this car has great sentimental value to me and its somthing i would like to give my son one day and will not be any weekend project. Just somthing i am having fun with and working on when i am not playing with one of the other two.

Ok so first things first the transmission keeps the car from moving so thats the first order of buisness. With 20 years on the stock wiring its time to get ride of that crap and swap the tired 2.8 to a carb small block. And no not for performace just to clear up some of the wiring that is now becoming problem after problem. I will probaly repaint the hood and replace and paint one fender over the summer and i would like to get the enigne and transmission in this upcoming year somthing that i think is more then obtainable

SO WHAT DOES EVERY ONE THINK. Keep in mind this is not a performace street car more of somthing i can have and give to my kids so they may injoy the same love and respect that i did.

Ok now for a few quick questions. I was under the inpression that all V6 and V8 3rd gen automatics used the same transmission housing and where interchangable? I ask because i still have a lot of good parts from that old forumla including transmission.

 

I believe they used 700R4s? I could be wrong.

 

No you are correct. It does use the 700R. I know they made some changes late in 86 and did make some improvement on the 700R but i dont think there where any other auto transmissions used in the 3rd gen [>:].

 

It took a while but i found the answer to the transmission question. . For any one that is wondering it is the same 700R4 transmission however the bell housing is different from the 6 cylinder cars to the V8s.

 

we have a project in common..... im 18 and just started my v-6 to the v-8 swap amonth ago. couple tips, start fresh. have your v-8 built ahead of time, replace everything needed.gaskets/ bolts/ ETC. so you only have to do it once. get a transmisssion with v-8 housing. are you going with the auto or stick? (700r4 or T5) I didnt build a proformance motor either, but its a expensive beast.. to simplify the overwhelming amount wiring is easy, left and right wiring bulk heads. left harness leads to the ECM. ( Dont need that B.S.) Right side controls ignition, lights, wipers. Label and seperating everything is a Must! you will need a lager Exhaust, so the motor can breathe, pull the electric fuel pump out ( too much psi- drown your carb)

IN A NUT SHELL
.label wiring
.swap engine
.swap engine mounts
.transmission
.fuel pump
.exhaust
Inspect the floor pans, wheel whells- stabilty

 

Yes the cars used the same 700R4, later called the 4L60. Smaller bell house for all the V6's (and four banger,)2.8, 3.1, 3.4,3.6,3.8). The only V6 that uses a bellhouse that is the same as the 90 degree V8's would be the 4.3's in S trucks and full size trucks.

 

lol its not the worst swap i have done by any means. I am probably going to run a TH350 for transmissions.

 

Since this is a comon swap and i still have a garage full of junk from the 305 tbi parts car i dont think i will need much. Other then the transmission, engine, and the B&M conversion kit around 100 bucks or so. its a preety easy swap. I will probaly swap out the front spings off the front formula as well. For the fuel pump i am not a big fan of mechanical pumps. On my 79 i swap out to an electric and was very happy. You can alwase scale back pressure with a fuel pressure regulator.