Ford Engine help 1970 Cougar
 

Have a chance at a 70 Cougar XR7, looked at it a while ago and passed because of a rod knock in the engine, which was a 302, so I was told. Had the 302 callout on the air cleaner as well. Now the car has to move and I got a call back.

I think it should have a 351 in it, not sure which version.

Anyone out there that knows Ford info that I can PM to decide what to do about the car?

Anyone have a 70 351 sitting around? WHat should a used engine cost, and how much to rebuild one should I find a core engine?

What else should I look at with this car?

I figure to fix it then sell it, the taillights are the only reason I'd buy it in the first place!

I believe that the 302 was the standard engine in 1970.
If you can decode the data tag on the door, it should tell you what it came with.

Do the sequential tail lights actually work?


VIN code G is a 289

VIN code H could be a 351 Cleveland or a Windsor!

Std. engine was the H code 351W 2 bbl. Opt. was the M code 351C 4 bbl. The M code was std. on the Cougar Eliminator. Opt. on the eliminator was the G code 302.
The others are the 428 and 429.

The 351W looks like a 289/302 with a taller deck, thus wider than a 302. To the untrained eye, a 351W looks like a 302.
The 351C has canted valve heads. It will look like a "big block" 351.

If it's a toasted 302 what should I get for the car, Windsor or Cleveland? Cleveland that much better or can you make the Windsors run well enough? If cost is about the same I'll go for the Cleveland?

What's a 351M? Is that a small block 400 cube engine? Does that fit on the same trans as the rest? Seems they are around in trucks, are they worth building?

IF you got a pretty nice car with a trashed nonoriginal engine what would you do?

(Besides put a Pontiac 455 in it....)

DO they make clutch pedal conversions for these cars?

I`d prolly go W. The parts avalibility for the w`s are light years ahead of the c`s. The c`s are harder to find as they were discontinued in 1973. I CAN find you a 351C down here if you want.

The 302/351W and the 351C use the "small block" bell housing pattern. The 351M/400 use the big block pattern. I would NOT go with a M or a 400.

Both the C and the W can be made to run very well. You`ll be on your own more on the C as not as many are out there now, and many out there that have one that runs well, don`t want to give out their parts list or tuning tips.

A well built 302 would be nice in that car. Just rebuild it to Eliminator specs for a 69-70 and have a ball with it.

Boss 302 or regular 302?

1970 XR7
 

Kieth,

I like them and would recomend getting it if the price is right. Not a family car, or even as teenagers, getting into the back seat was a chore and cramped.

The Old Car Manual Project http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/new/1.../dirindex.html

has the brochure. It shows that the 302 was na for the XR7. They could have put anything in there though.

Good luck and keep us posted,
Greg

Would be worth more if you can repair the 302. Not to mention cheaper and easier in the long run. Interchangeability will be a nightmare if you decide on a different engine.

Looks like the only 302 in those cars was the Boss 302. It might have had a regular 302 installed at some time. It`s prolly a 351W.

Windsor would be my choice.the 69 and 70 units have desireable heads. they get better milage than the clevelands and are more responsive on the low end. IMO the 302 is a boat anchor.

Cougars are cool cars, specially with a 4 spd.

If it's cheap buy it and enjoy it.

That would be an awesome sleeper If you can find a 429 thunderjet to put in it.

MYstery solved... IT's a 68 not a 70....

Went to check out the car today, vin and tags code out to 302 2V which is in the car. So it is the original engine, with the rod knock.

SOme torque box rust but not horrible, some bubbling of the paint job, car was changed from green to black. It is an original xr7 C4, 3.00:1 axle. Nice interior, nice vinyl top, crank windows, am radio tach and funky switches on the dash, all stock. Wire wheel covers. In the end nothing special. 99k miles. New exhaust and alternator, tires OK, brakes done recently.

So what do I budget for a stock 302 rebuild??? And torque box replacement? Looks like minimal bubbling of paint but it is a Ford so I do expect some mud is in the car.


SOOOOOOO............what's it worth???

Mustangs Unlimited should have the torque boxes.

Glaser's Mustang Barn in PA is probably better for you.

1k-3500.00 depending on condition.

I'd seriously think about a 351W. just for giggles

How much is it??

I saw a 68 available here in va missing the motor, good body,bad paint, complete interior for $1400.

A fellow I know of bought one a year ago that ran good had a fair amount of bondo in the quarters ,but looked ok for $2500.

$3000. seems a bit high unless you really know your way around them and can buld an engine yourself. So it's over $5k to get on the road, then some rust repair for a pretty low option base engine car. WHo knows what that will run, a grand maybe for the torque boxes and then whatever else it needs with bubbling paint.

IF anyone else is interested I'll give you the number.

First gen (67-68) Cougars are pretty nice, like classy Mustangs with sequential taillights. I had a new 4spd one in 67. You don't see that many of them, I prefer the '67s because they have a cleaner look (didn't have the side marker lights on them) and you see more surviving '68s. $3k seems like a lot for a '68 that needs everything. I should have shown you the Ford engine I have in the shop when you were there.

offer them 1/2 and walk away.
Pics?

X2.

Also Cougars do not seem to bring what a Mustang brings.

Cougar is to Mustang as TransAm is to Camaro?

cougar
 

I would almost bet this car has a cracked piston skirt and not a rod knock bore it .30 over and new bearings cheap. Good luck.

Gregg

Eitehr way you're in for a $2000 rebuild, why wouldn't you do the heads, put in a new cam, cut the crank, etc. ORiginal engine car but not worth the trouble for me. I'd have to be in it a total of $4000, so I'm already way below asking price. I"m not going to insult the guy with $2000 offer. I know he paid $6500 for the car, and put exhaust brakes and an alt on it. For a Ford guy, maybe it's worth the $3000.

He paid $6500.00 for a car with rotted torque boxes??

How nice is the car?

I bought a 68 for $1000 last year an it needed a power train and minor torque box work. But like all cars that have been sitting it had a musky smell and although the interior was useable for a driver ii should be replaced. Didn't want it anymore. Sold it for around 3k in a few hours

Good luck finding a set of 69/70 Windsor heads. They were hard to find in the 80s for a decent price and now that the restorers are looking for them the price and availability make them a poor choice over aftermart.

For something different I would run Cleveland heads on a 302 and make me a Boss

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...7077kmh_20.jpg

Better yet - bore it and offset it grind the crank for 375 + cubes :D

Disagree there ; 302 is a good little V8




351C's have an extended timing chain casting; that's the most simple way to tell.

Some (very few) 351M/400s did have a c4 bolt pattern Ive been told

A 400 has alot of potential :

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tec...e/viewall.html