351 4v ( 408 and TKX )

[mach71351c]

Congratulations! It is indeed a beautiful engine bay with a 408!

Thanks Tony.

 

[mach71351c]

717273s that attended this weekend show.

 

[Sheriff41]

717273s that attended this weekend show.

That's a good turn out of 71-2-3s! Around here, I've got the only one at most shows.

 

[73429mach]

Congratulations on the car Mike. It looks great!

 

[mach71351c]

Congratulations on the car Mike. It looks great!

Thanks Ryan I appreciate It.

 

[mach71351c]

Kicking and screaming I brought the Mach 1 to the 21st century. My hole life the look for these cars were 15" magnum 500s with 245/60 up front and 255/60s out back. A close second ET slot mags or Cragar sst.

Let me start by saying my T/As are 10 years so they may have gotten a little hard. I've had my Mach on the road for 5 months and just over 400 miles. Well I have a traction problem. I mean bad! It's worse than the V8 pinto I built when I was a kid. At first It was humorous burning the tires into 3rd gear but that got old quick. I really didn't think a new set of 1984 technology T/As would fix the problem. Didn't want to go down the drag radials road. With a lot of thought I decided to go big but not to big. The hardest decision was 17s or 18s. I felt it was best to have more sidewall on this old car. Maybe if it had modern suspension I would think different.

Wheels wheels wheels! Weeks looking for the right wheels for the car. I was looking at chrome U. S. Mags Rambler wheels. I started to change my mind when I notice how many cars and trucks have them. Plus I don't have big brakes to show off. That leads me to one of or sponsors. Vintage Wheel San Diego. Found American Racing Magnum 500 VN50017 on there site. I seen the wheels on the web with the machined aluminum look but wasn't feeling it. But when seen the wheels with 2 piece polished outer rim I was sold. The fronts are 17/8 with 4.75 backspace and the rears are 17/9 with 5.5 back space. I herd to bye local when you can so I did. Even better they were maid to order right up the road in Corona California. U.S. Mags Rambler wheels China just saying.

Tires I went with General G Max RS I figured I would give them a try. Just didn't like the new tread pattern of the g-Force T/A. Don't know why just didn't and no way in hell was I going to put Nitos on my American muscle car. On the front went with 255/40 and 275/40 out back. What a difference! Now I can the power of the 408 to the ground. Did not feel any difference in the ride. Made a huge in cornering. With the springs sway bars and 17s made it all come together.

 

[Sheriff41]

Looks great! I have the same size tires on mine, except I have the HK Magnums. I didn't notice any additional harshness in ride over the 15s, either. I found the Magnum running horse decals fit the center caps perfectly. The only thing I miss is the white letters that recall the look of when these cars were new.

Decals: https://www.npdlink.com/product/magnum-500-hub-cap-center-insert/210371/200336

 

[mach71351c]

Looks great! I have the same size tires on mine, except I have the HK Magnums. I didn't notice any additional harshness in ride over the 15s, either. I found the Magnum running horse decals fit the center caps perfectly. The only thing I miss is the white letters that recall the look of when these cars were new.

Decals: https://www.npdlink.com/product/magnum-500-hub-cap-center-insert/210371/200336

View attachment 98331

Hey Chuck looking at your car was a big part of my research. I plan on getting mustang center caps. I totally agree about the white letters.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Looks great! I have the same size tires on mine, except I have the HK Magnums. I didn't notice any additional harshness in ride over the 15s, either. I found the Magnum running horse decals fit the center caps perfectly. The only thing I miss is the white letters that recall the look of when these cars were new.

Decals: https://www.npdlink.com/product/magnum-500-hub-cap-center-insert/210371/200336

View attachment 98331

Did not know about those horse center decals. Just ordered some for my American Racing wheels. Thanks!

 

[jrrhdmust]

I suffer the sameish struggle. I still have the 14 Mags on mine from the factory. I think about upgrading, but they came on the car. The struggle is real!

 

[bishoppeak]

Coker Tire has white letter tires, bias ply or radial

 

[basstrix]

Cooper Cobras also have white lettering.

 

[mach71351c]

A friend of mine switched from BFG T/As to Cooper Cobras now his Fairlane wheel hops like mad.

 

[tpj71mach]

Wheels and tires look great! They give the car a more aggressive vibe, but still have that Magnum look. The running horse decals, like Chuck has, will finish them off perfectly.

 

[basstrix]

A friend of mine switched from BFG T/As to Cooper Cobras now his Fairlane wheel hops like mad.

What does he have for rear suspension? Wheel hop induced from a tire change gives me the impression the previous tire wasn't hooking up as well.