Happy Holidays Mustang Family!
I need some sense talked into me because I am having a hard time not letting the budget spiral wildly out of control on my build...
Short story is I have a '71 Mach 1 with a presumably stock '74 351c CJ and C6 transmission. My end goal is to have a respectful street performer (400 hp/tq) with a T5 transmission (definitely not concours and just doing whatever I think is cool). I sourced a used T5 for $500 but still need to source all the swap parts. The engine that's currently in the Mach 1 runs strong and the current plan is to run it and get all the kinks worked out while I get the money together for the T5 swap and an engine rebuild.
One idea I have been playing with in my head is to source a '70/71 m code 351c core to build while I enjoy driving what's already in my car. When the rebuild on the second engine is finished and I have the T5 swap kit, I can spend a weekend plopping the lump in and shazaam, have a completely transformed Mach 1. I can then sell the old drivetrain which is a known solid runner or potentially even throw it in my '71 stock 302 vert that needs A LOT of work.
So a 351 pops on marketplace. He claims it was pulled from a 73. I go to check it out and low and behold is a D0AE-L (with 71 mustang vin). He claimed it ran when he pulled it but no proof. It has 2V heads with Edelbrock performer manifold but when I popped a valve cover, its 1975 2v heads. If it had the '71 4v heads I probably wouldn't be writing this because I would have just bought it on the spot. He's asking $1000 but I haven't seen it run and he doesn't want me to pull a head off to check to see if its been over bored already (I don't blame him). He will give me the auto tranny attached to it as well but I don't really want it. In my mind, this is a gamble that I wouldn't want to spend more than $500 on.
Is this a worthwhile gamble? My dream build would include aluminum heads and roller cam so the 2v heads isn't a huge deterrent from my end goal but I think the asking prices is just too high with too many unknowns. I think the biggest attraction is having the 71 mustang vin on there. My current strategy is to give it another week or 2 and then lowball him to see if he caves; unless the consensus here is to go for it. Or maybe convince him to let me pull a head off but that's not in his best interest. Obviously if I had an unlimited budget I wouldn't care about all this but money is starting to get tight and I'd prefer to be able to enjoy driving the Mach 1 while doing all the engine work on a second engine.
Is it even possible to find a standard bore m code 351c shortblock for $500 or is that insane?
Another silly thought is there is a local guy with '71 Boss 351 heads for sale for $1800...
Hopefully last edit for now: I have also been looking at this. Sent the guy an email but haven't heard anything. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/msg/d/lancaster-ford-small-block-engines/7805886129.html This guy claims: 351C 4 bolt main fresh .030 block , Magnafluxed, new cam bearings, hot tanked,very rare, 351C 4v Closed Chamber heads used, stock rods and crank, New forged TRW Pistons, 4v stock Holley or Quadrajet style intake, apart, $1,950.00
Please bestow upon me your wisdom kind mustang wizards!
Side note: anyone out there have 1F-229108?
Mine is 224468 so I think this would be really cool in my car but it would be even cooler to put it back in your car!
I need some sense talked into me because I am having a hard time not letting the budget spiral wildly out of control on my build...
Short story is I have a '71 Mach 1 with a presumably stock '74 351c CJ and C6 transmission. My end goal is to have a respectful street performer (400 hp/tq) with a T5 transmission (definitely not concours and just doing whatever I think is cool). I sourced a used T5 for $500 but still need to source all the swap parts. The engine that's currently in the Mach 1 runs strong and the current plan is to run it and get all the kinks worked out while I get the money together for the T5 swap and an engine rebuild.
One idea I have been playing with in my head is to source a '70/71 m code 351c core to build while I enjoy driving what's already in my car. When the rebuild on the second engine is finished and I have the T5 swap kit, I can spend a weekend plopping the lump in and shazaam, have a completely transformed Mach 1. I can then sell the old drivetrain which is a known solid runner or potentially even throw it in my '71 stock 302 vert that needs A LOT of work.
So a 351 pops on marketplace. He claims it was pulled from a 73. I go to check it out and low and behold is a D0AE-L (with 71 mustang vin). He claimed it ran when he pulled it but no proof. It has 2V heads with Edelbrock performer manifold but when I popped a valve cover, its 1975 2v heads. If it had the '71 4v heads I probably wouldn't be writing this because I would have just bought it on the spot. He's asking $1000 but I haven't seen it run and he doesn't want me to pull a head off to check to see if its been over bored already (I don't blame him). He will give me the auto tranny attached to it as well but I don't really want it. In my mind, this is a gamble that I wouldn't want to spend more than $500 on.
Is this a worthwhile gamble? My dream build would include aluminum heads and roller cam so the 2v heads isn't a huge deterrent from my end goal but I think the asking prices is just too high with too many unknowns. I think the biggest attraction is having the 71 mustang vin on there. My current strategy is to give it another week or 2 and then lowball him to see if he caves; unless the consensus here is to go for it. Or maybe convince him to let me pull a head off but that's not in his best interest. Obviously if I had an unlimited budget I wouldn't care about all this but money is starting to get tight and I'd prefer to be able to enjoy driving the Mach 1 while doing all the engine work on a second engine.
Is it even possible to find a standard bore m code 351c shortblock for $500 or is that insane?
Another silly thought is there is a local guy with '71 Boss 351 heads for sale for $1800...
Hopefully last edit for now: I have also been looking at this. Sent the guy an email but haven't heard anything. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/msg/d/lancaster-ford-small-block-engines/7805886129.html This guy claims: 351C 4 bolt main fresh .030 block , Magnafluxed, new cam bearings, hot tanked,very rare, 351C 4v Closed Chamber heads used, stock rods and crank, New forged TRW Pistons, 4v stock Holley or Quadrajet style intake, apart, $1,950.00
Please bestow upon me your wisdom kind mustang wizards!
Side note: anyone out there have 1F-229108?
Mine is 224468 so I think this would be really cool in my car but it would be even cooler to put it back in your car!
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