1964-1966 Mustang In-Line Six V8 Swap

Although the control arms are the same for both six-cylinder andeight-cylinder cars, the coil springs are different. Replace the wholefront suspension with new hardware. This new suspension hardware came tous from Mustang Country of Paramount, California.

The steering components for the straight-six and V-8 cars are quitedifferent. The V-8-style drag link and pitman arm (shown here) arebigger and heavier than their six-cylinder counterparts. They will needto be accompanied by new tie-rod ends and sleeves.

Five-lug wheels are needed for the V-8 suspension; as long as thefive-lug conversion is needed why not convert to disc brakes in theprocess? The whole kit will bolt right onto the stock V-8 spindles, andyou'll be adding a great deal to the operational safety of your car. Youcan buy this complete and excellent kit from Stainless Steel Brakes.

Buy a complete 8- or 9-inch axle assembly from a local salvage yard.Look for one that specializes in used Mustang parts. We found this8-inch axle from a '66 Mustang complete for $300. It has everything weneed to get into the V-8 game, including the five-lug axles, brakes, andthe strength required to stand up to a healthy V-8 engine.

Cooling requirements are a big consideration any time you dramaticallyincrease displacement. Here, the original radiator core comes out of thecar. It will be good to have it out of the way when the time comes topull the engine, and now we'll be able to compare this unit to the V-8part.

On the left is a new V-8 three-row radiator from Mustang Country. TheOE six-cylinder unit is shown on the right. As you can see, oneimportant difference is the lower hose port is relocated for the V-8engine. Both radiators have the built-in heat exchanger to accept linesfrom an automatic transmission.