Winged One
Mid-Michigan
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Thanks for all the input. I have a good handle on what we are going to do now.
Thanks again.
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Jarlaxle
New England
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smkettner wrote:I would look at dropping a 390 or 428scj into that Ford wagon.
You probably want a new front suspension/brakes anyway 
I would also add shoulder belts, a big block radiator, swap a 9" in place of the probable 8" rear. The list could get long.
Why one of those iron lumps? A 408ci Windsor is mugh lighter, makes more power, bolts in, hooks to the stock transmission, and with some care, will look like a stock A-code 289.
Hmm...408 dressed to look like an A-code 289...LennTECH AOD with a column shifter...3.70 gears in the stock rear axle...I see a nice sleeper here...
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
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jimmyfred
Tx
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...........You need a Trany temp gauge\Pre cooler and post cooler , oil pressure and coolant temp. gauges . The point being you can pull over when the temps start getting too high and let things cool off . This will save your trany . I believe I'd plan on tent camping and just pull a small , single axle cargo trailer . , jf
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Wes Tausend
Bismarck, ND
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...
This is going to work just fine except in hill country. Just like they did years ago when campers were heavier. You might find tow ratings in these (1 & 2) owners manuals from Ebay. Wouldn't surprise me if they never published any though. Back then Ford gave customers credit for common sense, it either worked or it didn't in more ways than one.
If you are going to open the hood for display at the campsite you will need this Weber Kit:
As an added benefit, it will give you better mileage and more midrange torque than standard carbs from the era. The reason is that each throat can be optimised for minimal precise fuel without worrying about some runners being too lean. The extra torque comes from the tuned intake horns. There is a good reason they were used on Shelby Cobra 289 racing motors.
As an alternative, I would recommend a 5.0L swap from a late 90's V8 Ford Explorer. They don't look as vintage but had increased HP (245 HP, I think) over all ordinary 5.0L (225 HP) Mustangs. It won't look vintage but they are just as good as Webers were 40 years before. Webers make great daily drivers.
Just kidding about the motor mods. Use the one you have if you're not in a big hurry (and you don't seem the type).
The rear end should already have a Ford 9 inch. Piece of cake to swap it out for another gear carrier in little over an hour.
The drum brakes should be just fine. Drum brakes stop just as good or better as disc in most instances. The reason disc got popular was because Jaguar adapted them in the 1950's from WWII aircraft to combat fade while racing where they frequently got red hot. As long as you don't go down a long mountain road, the brakes will stop you just as quickly and safely in stop and go traffic. One exception is after driving through deep water. Disc brakes dry quickly where drum brakes take a while.
Ford Country Squire and camping. Had a '63 and a '69.
Love the Bird.
Thanks for the memories.
EDIT:
Can no longer find reference to 245 HP Explorer V8 engine. May be only 210-215 HP instead. The cylinder heads were reputed to be better than 5.0 Mustang units but require a special exhaust header bolt pattern.
Wes
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* This post was
edited 11/12/09 12:55pm by Wes Tausend *
- 2000 Excursion V-10 - 1995 Coachmen Catalina 280RK, 5091# tare
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- 1994 Mazda B4000 1/2 ton, 4.0L V6, 3.73, 125"wb
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jellenn
Central IN
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how about one of the vintage looking tab campers? now that would look SWEET. Whatever you choose, send pics!
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melackey73
Houston, TX
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Winged One wrote:Thanks for all the input. I have a good handle on what we are going to do now.
Thanks again.
well, c'mon, tell us what direction you are going with this... (I'm voting for a smaller Airstream...)
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canuck 1
alberta
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cool car
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jdscala
Canada
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melackey73 wrote:Winged One wrote:Thanks for all the input. I have a good handle on what we are going to do now.
Thanks again.
well, c'mon, tell us what direction you are going with this... (I'm voting for a smaller Airstream...)
Yeah, c'mon we need closure!!
2009 Max Sport 23bh
2004 Trailblazer Ext
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nickelAF
Charleston, WV
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Hate to say it but you really have all the weight a 289 can handle. You also have a 3.00 gear which makes matters much worse. The 351 Windsor has a bunch more torque and is a very easy fit, and it will bolt up to your transmission. The 351 with a 3.50 gear will be an impressive combination with your setup. I know this because I’ve done it.
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Winged One
Mid-Michigan
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We have decided to go with a Keystone Passport Super Lite 199ML, about 3500lbs (including all accessories). We camp lite.
We will make sure the TV is up to the task.
Thanks for all the input.
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