New to the forum:Loaded with questions!

to the board....

 

It looks like the original shock towers and everything up front is still stock. If I was to PASS on anything, it would be the 460... These cars were available with 302's from the factory, and are still fast little cars with a built 302--without any shock-tower or frame modifications.

The cowl area and the front floor pans are the spots to watch for rust. Pouring a bucket of water (not ice, LOL) down the vents in front of the windshield and watching for water under the dash would be MY first thing to check.

I suspect the previous owner/builder got out of it because they soon realized it was likely not to see the 460 ever running in that car. It CAN be done, but sticking with a 302 would be so much easier...JMHO.

Here is another big-block car, just to give you an idea of what all has to be modified to get that 460 up and running. And, NO, his are NOT stock shock towers!! They have been professionally moved back in the day, much like the Boss 429 Mustangs way back when...
http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=73311


Many members here have also gone with Mustang II-type front suspension kits, but they run close to $3000 and involve a lot of cutting and welding to be installed. These kits completely eliminate the shock towers.

Good Luck!

 

I would also vote on PASSING on that car. That 460 looks to be just sitting in there, not hooked up at all. If the car has been sitting for a decade, it will need everything.

 

720 lbs of engine..

 

Thanks for all the great replies and opinions, really helping. I haven't gone in depth with questions on this car yet, but i intend on giving him a call very soon and getting all the nitty gritty details on this thing. Though i can say this, the undercarriage on this car is surprisingly very, very clean and rust free. Theres rust holes in both quarter panels, surface rust here and there but relatively straight. The floors are not rusted out and seem to be pretty firm. Also i believe he said it was hooked up to the trans and bolted down and does turn over. So thats a plus i suppose. I'll get more details and post.
I'd post more pictures but it appears i have exceeded my limit on attachments. :16suspect

 

There used to be a 10 post minimum before being able to attach photos but that seems to have changed somewhat - see if you get more space after having 10 posts

I had that rust in the quarter panels and my suggestion to that is to remove all paint from the rusted out area and beyond until you find solid clean steel - I learned that small holes usually are much larger than what you see on the surface

 

I agree.

With the hp/trq being coaxed out of the new small blocks today that are equal to or greater than yesterday's big blocks, why deal with it? That, and the big block weight issue that simply can't be overcome.

 

Is that a cleve or 460 ?

 

Just a 460 i believe. It's looking to be quite a lot of work...

 

I agree w/ those who say dump the big boat anchor engine; unless, u have the where-with-all to tear out the towers and put in the Stang II kit. If what u say on the floorpans and undercarriage are in relatively solid condx the car is salvagable. Imo. We don't know what ur mechanical background credentials are but, going w/ the BB will test ur skills and checkbook.

 

Welcome to the forum.