- Joined
- Feb 11, 2014
- Messages
- 37
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- La Habra Heights, CA
- My Car
- 72 Mach 1
79 Ranchero
79 Corvette
I’m rather new to this forum but have been told to ask questions and post pictures. So here’s a little background and a few pictures of what I have to start with. In some of the pictures of the engine area the rust looks much worse than it is. The only area that really needs to be cut out and replace is at a couple of lower body panels.
I’m getting ready to start the restoration of my 72 Mach 1 and looking for some advice. To start with I have what looks to me to be a completely stock 351C 2V engine, FMX transmission, and I was told it has some kind of traction lock rear end. It has factory air, drum brakes front and rear and a thrashed interior. This rebuild project is not for resale intent but instead a project my son and I can do together and end up with a really cool car to drive. (Initially for ME to drive and EVENTUALLY for my son to have).
I have a fair amount of mechanical ability but not enough to actually do the engine rebuild myself. I’d like to build up that 2v engine to put out in the 400 HP range. I’ll be talking with a local engine rebuilder that I’m told has a long term good reputation but I’d like to go to him with a bit more knowledge about the 351C than I have right now. It is my initial plan to replace the 2V heads with aftermarket aluminum heads or original 4V heads and change cam, crank, lifters, etc. to whatever will get my desired HP results.
My main questions are want are the best heads to use on the 351C block? And… Since I’m not at all familiar with the FMX transmission, how will it hold up to the additional horse power? This may not be the place to ask but I also wanted to change at least the front brakes to disc but have been told that I won’t be able to run the stock 14 inch rims if I do. Any advice on that would be good as well.
Then I read the “The Amazing 351C 4V” thread posted by Don65Stang. This gave me even more questions. I don’t understand the “exhaust gas bounce” stuff at all. I don’t mind doing appropriate modifications but I also want to keep that original look the 71-73’s had. I do like the idea of the ram-air and I do plan on adding the blackout hood paint.
I’m getting ready to start the restoration of my 72 Mach 1 and looking for some advice. To start with I have what looks to me to be a completely stock 351C 2V engine, FMX transmission, and I was told it has some kind of traction lock rear end. It has factory air, drum brakes front and rear and a thrashed interior. This rebuild project is not for resale intent but instead a project my son and I can do together and end up with a really cool car to drive. (Initially for ME to drive and EVENTUALLY for my son to have).
I have a fair amount of mechanical ability but not enough to actually do the engine rebuild myself. I’d like to build up that 2v engine to put out in the 400 HP range. I’ll be talking with a local engine rebuilder that I’m told has a long term good reputation but I’d like to go to him with a bit more knowledge about the 351C than I have right now. It is my initial plan to replace the 2V heads with aftermarket aluminum heads or original 4V heads and change cam, crank, lifters, etc. to whatever will get my desired HP results.
My main questions are want are the best heads to use on the 351C block? And… Since I’m not at all familiar with the FMX transmission, how will it hold up to the additional horse power? This may not be the place to ask but I also wanted to change at least the front brakes to disc but have been told that I won’t be able to run the stock 14 inch rims if I do. Any advice on that would be good as well.
Then I read the “The Amazing 351C 4V” thread posted by Don65Stang. This gave me even more questions. I don’t understand the “exhaust gas bounce” stuff at all. I don’t mind doing appropriate modifications but I also want to keep that original look the 71-73’s had. I do like the idea of the ram-air and I do plan on adding the blackout hood paint.