Post by farmtruck on Apr 19, 2022 8:22:23 GMT -8
Greetings from the Sacramento area.
I have inherited a 1972 Courier that has been in my family since my Grandfather purchased it new. As the oldest grandson, I am one of the few who even remember him as he passed away when I was only 7-8y.o. It bounced around some of my other family members and was left for dead when it was finally offered to me. So here I am, with a piece of family history and what to do. As always, I choose the hardest route possible. I decided to bring it back to life but in an unconventional way. I thought, maybe an engine swap would be cool. So I searched long and hard for some mid sized V6 that might fit the bill, and of course I wanted to keep it a manual transmission. I finally found the perfect (so I thought) donor car, a 2003 3.8 Mustang (keeping it Ford, even thought the original motor was a Mazda). Perfect, it was trashed and the motor needed to be completely rebuilt, but hey, lets do it right. $$$$$ later and I have myself a freshly rebuilt V6 with almost 4 times the original horse power. Now to fit it in. That is where I stand. I go out several times per week and just stare at the empty engine bay trying to decide how to fit the larger motor in. Modify the fire wall, relocate the steering linkage (new motor is rear sump, original was front sump on the oil pan), disc brakes, lets try that too, fuel tank, well that will have to be done as well. Wouldn't it be nice to have AC, lets tack that on too. WAF getting real low at this point. Getting ready to have two kids in college $$$$$$. . . Oh well, the project continues. Wife says you need to get this done, we need another car (soon to have another 16y.o. driver). Needless to say, I am still slowly moving forward very slowly and look forward to any input I may glean from everyone here. I will most likely have many original parts no longer needed as they will not work with the new engine, so if you need something, it may be available. Doesn't hurt to ask. . . Looking forward to getting to know you as I make my way through this journey.
All the best, Wade
I have inherited a 1972 Courier that has been in my family since my Grandfather purchased it new. As the oldest grandson, I am one of the few who even remember him as he passed away when I was only 7-8y.o. It bounced around some of my other family members and was left for dead when it was finally offered to me. So here I am, with a piece of family history and what to do. As always, I choose the hardest route possible. I decided to bring it back to life but in an unconventional way. I thought, maybe an engine swap would be cool. So I searched long and hard for some mid sized V6 that might fit the bill, and of course I wanted to keep it a manual transmission. I finally found the perfect (so I thought) donor car, a 2003 3.8 Mustang (keeping it Ford, even thought the original motor was a Mazda). Perfect, it was trashed and the motor needed to be completely rebuilt, but hey, lets do it right. $$$$$ later and I have myself a freshly rebuilt V6 with almost 4 times the original horse power. Now to fit it in. That is where I stand. I go out several times per week and just stare at the empty engine bay trying to decide how to fit the larger motor in. Modify the fire wall, relocate the steering linkage (new motor is rear sump, original was front sump on the oil pan), disc brakes, lets try that too, fuel tank, well that will have to be done as well. Wouldn't it be nice to have AC, lets tack that on too. WAF getting real low at this point. Getting ready to have two kids in college $$$$$$. . . Oh well, the project continues. Wife says you need to get this done, we need another car (soon to have another 16y.o. driver). Needless to say, I am still slowly moving forward very slowly and look forward to any input I may glean from everyone here. I will most likely have many original parts no longer needed as they will not work with the new engine, so if you need something, it may be available. Doesn't hurt to ask. . . Looking forward to getting to know you as I make my way through this journey.
All the best, Wade