Backhalved Fox Mustang... UPDATED 5-31-2018 IT'S ALIVE!!!

what headers did you use John ?

Looks good but how easy will plug changing be

I'll have to stick a socket and wrench down there tonight to see about the plugs.

what headers did you use John ?

Nick, the headers are a set I bought off the old site a number of years ago. They look identical to the swap headers that Dynatech sells. Not really sure though. The part number doesn't seem to match any brand on the market today.

I didn't think I'd be able to get the engine as low as I did in the chassis and NOT have the headers on the ground. It worked out good though since the rear pinion is so high in the car. The tall tires really require the front of the engine to be low and the trans tailshaft to be higher than usual just so everything lines up. The more I raised the trans and the more I lowered the front of the engine the more the headers tucked up nice to the floor. I'm going to stick the carb spacer and carb on there tonight to see just how much cowl hood I don't need.

I would've loved to slide the engine all the way back to the firewall but I would've needed to cut off some of the cowl's flange and rework a few other things. I think it's still further back then some of the swap kits out there today. The trans crossmember is all the way back and that's with a glide so I think I did OK.

Looking good John, can you post some pictures of the trans cross member and the mid plate tabs.

Yes do some under car shots.

Didn't get any undercar shots since I took the headers off to make room to fab and tack weld the midplate tabs. The driver's header came out from the top with no issues. I'll have to jack up the car to get the pass side out from underneath. I also plan to cut the header flanges between the tubes to make them all individual. That should help with installation... Looks like access to the plugs on the driver side will be fine and the pass side will be tight but doable.

I haven't made the trans crossmember yet either. The stock one is still in there with a factory GM mount and a piece of 2x2 to raise it up. I also used a Skinny Kid Race Cars front plate that is made for the factory engine offset to the pass side. The plate when bolted to the tabs pretty much centered itself in the chassis. I used a single bolt GM mount and drilled a hole dead center of the factory mount to center the trans too.So the drivetrain is offset to the pass side while the pinion is centered in the car.

I welded some angle running forward to the bottom of the factory sway bars mounts. I used this as a shelf to set the engine plate on to hold it while I mocked everything up. The mid plate tabs already have some short sliders on them to hold the plate durung the engine install. I'll do the same to the motor plate tabs once the engine is out and the angle is cut out.

Here's some pics from tonight. Please excuse my nasty tack welds !!!




Passenger side mid plate tab





Passenger side motor plate tab




Driver's side motor plate tab




Driver's side mid plate tab




Transmission mount







The trans tunnel was already gone when I got the car. I trimmed some to clear the trans as well as one header tube. I plan to clean it up some as well as open the top up some more to get to the top trans bolts from inside the car.






And last here's a few pics with the spacer and carb on. I'll need a small cowl to clear it. Not the massive 6" one I currently have.

jbozzelle wrote:

Those show are some pretty body moldings John! You are a beast in that garage man. Can't wait to race ya next year down in KY

They sure are!

That car is the only manual window, manual lock, 5.0, 5 speed, LX Mustang I've ever seen. Every person I know that had or has a Mustang had one with power windows and locks...


With some luck it'll be running by year's end

Nice handiwork there John.

Thanks. I even surprise myself sometimes.

if you get a chance take a shot from the side...that back end looks like its sits just about perfect. what size tires?

M/T 32x14.5 slicks. Back will probably go an inch or so lower.

cool... thanks!

So you back to working on the Mustang I see.

Yep. That's all I have since the dragster got wrecked. I broke down and paid Timmy to finish the cage and a few other things. Plan to get back on it tonight. I have the fuel pump and cell to mount and figure out mounitng the seat belts. I need to get it finished soon. Rene needs his garage back.

Any more progress on the Lightning?

Cool, Gonna have it ready for Ford vs Chevy?

What happened to the the other car?

No progress as all my money is going into the house right now. Hope to get back on it during the winter or for sure 2012 LOL

John the Hot Rod Stang is looking good Bro ! I knew the last I heard you had bought the Digger..But didnt hear about the wreck..Sorry for that.. I had to back off any engine building...$$$$ after my Surgery..and fighting the VA for compensation for 4 years, has us pretty well tapped at the moment..So I bought a $1500 boat to take my mind off things.. Yeah right.. BBF's and Drag racing still in the blood.. I figure if Harold and Doug can keep at it at there age... I still have a few years at 56.. Keep up the work buddy its looking really good !

Haven't posted about any progress in a long time but I've been plugging away at it when I can. I installed a new K-member, arms, drop spindles, etc... Also, got the x-brace installed in the floor and made a new trans mount. Finished up the seat mount too. The rear is all assembled and ready to go back in. Just need to paint the rear half of the chassis and put it in.

Lookin good big John. You're gonna have a really nice ride,real soon!

Glad too see it coming together for ya John.

Thanks guys. Going to try and get the radiator mount welded in this weekend. I mocked it up tonight but the kids were with me and weren't up to hanging around the shop while I worked on it some more.

jbozzelle wrote:Thanks guys. Going to try and get the radiator mount welded in this weekend. I mocked it up tonight but the kids were with me and weren't up to hanging around the shop while I worked on it some more.

kids always make it "fun" mine go back to school next week!

I've been plugging away at it. The rear housing and suspension is all back in and it's been on the ground a few times as well. Radiator is mounted, plates for the engine limiters are done too. Some of the rear tinwork is done as is some of the paint on the chassis. Pretty much been two steps forward and one back if you know what I mean...

I have the finish off the tinwork behind the pass side wheel tub paint that area and then I can mount the batteries, cell and pump for the last time. Slowly working my way forward...

John I think the sheet metal is the fun part making it all fit is like a puzzle

Nice Ride ! looking forward to seeing how it turns out when you get it done !