Hello..building my wifes 73 mustang

[speedbob712]

Hi all, been reading up on the site..some very cool rides on here so here I am, Bought this 1973 mustang coupe for my wife. I am wanting to make a clean,low car for her as she puts up with my crap so this ones for her.
I got it running pretty well but still don't know whats under the hood. 302..351..351 with 302 heads..The gent I bought it from said it was the later but was not to sure..The economy has blessed her with this one.

Only thing I did was put the 20's on it..leftovers from a marauder I had a couple years ago and cleaned it up..had alot of leaves and dirt all over it..inside and out..The 20's fit and should look good when we drop it..This is the first mustang I have built so other than my maurader,ford is new to me but its growing on me.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[pro-touringAK]

Welcome. It's nice to see the 71 and up stangs starting to be a bit more popular. Good Luck

[1971CHEVELLE]

Welcome to the site

[CDMBill]

I can't believe how well those Marauder rims fit. I've been workin on my 71 for ten years now and may be able to help a bit as your 73 is basically the same car.

These are way better handling cars than people think and the coup isn't all that much heavier than the 69-70's. You put a lot of tire uner the stock fender wells, I run 275/40/18 up front and as wide as 325 in back, see picture.

Good luck! I'd welcome you but I joined today too.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/PitFlogMufflersOFF-1.jpg

[CruizinKev]

welcome aboard! nice project :twothumbs

[speedbob712]

Thanks all for the welcome..The car is coming along.. I am still trying to figure out if its a 302 or a 351..I'm leaning 302 side.
My wheels are 20x10.5 with 295/30's out back and 20x8.5's with 255/35's up front. I don't have a clearance problem with them but the rears took a bit of massaging to clear the rear fenderwell.
I think the wheels were just luck and was going to switch out the rims but we decided to keep em for now sense they fit.
I am probably going a 2 1/2 drop up front with a 2 inch in the back.
That should be a good start.

I started the wiring today and now I have lights and I had to go pick up another dash gauge as the one was melted..Most of the wires are hacked to death.
Its running good now and breathes better with the flowmasters and used 1 1/2 full length headers. I am off tomorrow and was going to take it up and get a four barrel and intake to help the little girl out, That is if I can figure out what the heck is in there.It seems to fall flat pretty fast..I'll just keep going till I can get a big block truck for the transplant but that may take awile and I just want to get it running safe first.

I love this site..Soooo many cool cars here. I love almost every car made in the 60's and 70's..Don't care on the make or model...just like them all.

Oh ya..thats not an oil stain..just hp sweat:smoke:

[Fast68back]

If you post a picture of the engine we should be able to tell you what it is. There are casting numbers down by the starter that will tell for sure.

The intake width is a noticable difference. It is easy to see the difference when you reference the water pump bolts. On a 302 the water pump will basically match the block height (where the heads start). On a 351W the water pump mounts about 2 inches below the start of the heads. But be careful for the 351M etc. They can be deceiving but the water pumps are totally different.

[19sixtynine]

Hey, welcome to another Washingtonian!!!

Looks like you've got a great project to have fun with.

[speedbob712]

Here are some pics of the motor..I don't know if they will help or not but..

Also I got all the wiring under the dash put back together as they were cut out from the p/o..don't know why..Started to get the dash and interior put back in to test fit it all..
The car was in peices 2 weeks ago and other than some engine wiring and cleaning it up thats done.
We are going up friday and getting the new carpet,front seat covers and dash pad. This car was pretty well trashed but it will get back on the road soon.
It runs good but I am trying to find out what size motor is in there so I can get a 4barrel carb and intake..
Does anyone know if the edelbrock 289 4 barrel intake will work with the 302..If thats what's in there. The intake messures at just a fuzz over 9" at the blocks.
Thanks all for the comments and help as I was saying this is my first older ford.

[Fast68back]

Hard to tell from your pictures, but this picture should help.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

If the bottom of the intake is the same level as the distributor hold down, it's a 302.

This picture of yours makes me think its a 302

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=37023&d=1269492944

[CDMBill]

302

[speedbob712]

Ok so the bottom of the intake is the same level as the distributor hold down..I guess its a 302..Now I need to get the intake and carb and clean up the wires under the hood.
Thank you.

Does anyone know if the edelbrock 289 performer will work on it?

[Tucks69]

Welcome to the forum!

[Fast68back]

Does anyone know if the edelbrock 289 performer will work on it?

Yes