Hello,

Just wanted to say hello for my first post. I recently bought a 1974 Mustang II
coupe. First off let me just say that I know very little about cars. I bought this car with the intentions of rectifying that. The car itself is in very good condition. The body is solid with a few tiny rust spots. The interior is very good with no rips or tears. It has about 93k miles on it. The most important thing for me though is that it runs great. Oh, it is a 2.3L 4 speed. The color is dark green (my friend has dubbed it The Turtle).

Anyway I was thinking of dropping a new engine in it and would like some suggestions. I've read putting a V8 in the 74 model is a real pain, but as I said since I know very little about cars im not sure what is so difficult about it. My goal was to get an older car that I like and was in good condition already to tinker with. I have always liked the look of the Mustang II so it was kind of a no brainer for it to be the car I would buy. Especially since you can get them for a very reasonable price. Other things it needs are shocks (the ones on it look like the original ones that came with it) and some electrical work. I also want to put 15 inch wheels on it so I was wondering if I it would need to be raised or could they go on as it is.

Sorry if I sound pretty idiotic about this stuff. The reasons I joined this forum is that you all seem very knowledgable and passionate about the Mustang II. Well anyway i've gone on long enough. Im glad to be a part of the forum and look forward to all of your feedback.

I will try to get pictures of The Turtle as soon as possible.

 

Hope I did this right.

 

glad to hear there are mor II lovers out there. one of the few things i know about the 74 is that, since it was not offered with a V8, the V8 conversions are a bit tough. i think some things need moved around in the engine compartment, though im not sure what...

15" should fit fine stock, they were optional (i think) for the car originally


the other option instead of a V8 is making a fuel injectid (i think you can just take the stuff from like a fox) turbo 2.3L and maybe getting it bored out to around 2.5L change the rear gears, and with the turbo you should have a decently fast car, i've seen it done with some fox bodies. not only would you have a cool and fast ride, but you'd be really unique. kinda like an SVO, but with a II

just putting ideas out there, and i hope you get to do what you want with your II

also have your tried the forums at mustangii.net? they're great and have helped me alot with my cobra II

oh and welcome to the site!

 

Its cheaper to buy a V8 Mustang II than to switch your 4 to an 8. Look for a V8 mach, cobra II or King Cobra. You will find one for less than having someone drop a 8 into your car.

 

^ if you do that, you could keep the coupe as a daily driver

 

Thanks for the ideas. I would be more than happy to buy another II. However I dont think my girlfriend would go for that. I have a few friends that know alot about cars, so this wouldnt be something I would have to do myself. As far as the engine im not really looking to put in a V8 as much as I just want to find a newer compatible one. I mean it can be a 4cyl for all I care. I just want something newer that I can do a little more with. Thanks again.

 

Hello Tom (great name )

Glad to see someone else loves the II, I hope you enjoy it! Look at the post about the 408 Stroker in this forum....a powerful V8 plus the compactness of the Mustang II is a winner. My next Mustang will be a II Congrats and welcome aboard!!

 

Greetings TJ4Cam,

So we have the same name and are both from Ohio. Pretty cool!

 

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If this doesnt work I give up.

 

nice! that one sweet II bro!

there are a few things you can do to your 2.3L. you can try and take the Fuel injection stuff off of a 87-93 car, and then there are still some performance mods out there too. with a turbo/blower/Nos you could easily have a 300hp car. try California mustang, they have a little bit of stuff for the II. if you dont know much ab out cars you can start with little things, like spark plugs and spark plug wires, etc

do you have any bigger pics? and did you try MustangII.net? they're some great ppl there too

 

I'll try to get some bigger picture's soon.

 

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wow thats beautiful! and in great condition!

awesome find man

 

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Those should be better I think.

 

Glad you like it!

 

just out of curiosity, how much did it run you?

im just trying to see what IIs go for. i got my cobra II for $2300, but its in nowhere as good shape as yours!

 

Neat to see a lime green interior, you don't see those in good shape too often. There is a 75 Mach1 green with lime green interior V8 and 21,000 original miles on ebay. check it out. what kinda radio do you have? 8-track?

 

It cost me $2500. I know I paid a little too much, but im fine with it. Mainly because its in such good shape. The guy I bought it from had a crappy old cassette deck in it, but its not hooked up. Im not even sure if it works.

 

$2500 aitn that bad, thats what mine orignally wanted. for the condition its in i'd say its a steal