385 family = Lima = 385 family = Lima = 385 family…
Doing a 68 now with a 460, C-4, 9" from Currie. SSBC Disc brakes and other goodies. It does fit easily. Headers and motor mounts by Crites fit prefectly. I also had the headers coated by Jet Hot and they are beautiful now. I bought front coil sprgs for a 69 Cougar 428 with AC and PS. They have the highest rating for the heavier 385s.
I did find out after I got the headers, that their setup doesn’t require the shock towers to be notched. But after playing with it, it sure makes changing plugs much easier. Also if you keep the factory headlights you can run the lines and wiring in the notches.
My swap was done prior to the parts that are now available through Crites restoration. John Vermeersch (Total Performance) made the Boss 429 style engine frame mounts and headers for my swap. The 385 series block is longer front to back than the FE. I had to box the trans crossmember and mill the slots further forward… been 39 years ago now, but I think that the slot length was increased about 1 inch. I’m a machinist and did that work myself. Also, used a drag-pak oil cooler adapter to keep the filter from hitting the front swaybar… Used OEM CJ front springs & 15/16" front swaybar. Also, used a short neck water pump that would have been correct for 68 T-Bird with flat, non-clutch fan. Boss style OEM 24" radiator. 429 CJ (2-groove) crank pulley. There are other options for all of what I’ve mentioned.
Torque boxes & front frame need to be good. I’m not sure if the 68 Cougars had reinforced shock towers like the later 70 model. A one-piece, boss style export brace, and a monte carlo bar of some sort would also be recommended for stabilizing the engine compartment… wouldn’t want the shock towers towing in from the added weight. Hope the info is helpful.
Rickyracer, thanks for sharing those great pics and parts you used in your build. It looks awesome!
I didn’t know about the shock tower mod. You did a nice job on those. Much appreciated.
Catnip302, much thanks to you too. Your experience and input is great to have and gives me lots to think about. This is why I love our Coug Coummunity here. My wife didn’t understand why I wanted to name my the new kitty she brought home “Cougar”.
This is a picture of the Ford factory towers. They are the same as the Stangs and some Mustang places have them. I just prefer to make my own using their example.
Got it. I hadn’t seen one outside the car and thought that you were showing how you modified it. Thanks for pointing that out.
I can see it would still be a lot of work!
Actually not that hard. Just make sure you don’t cut it back to much and have the new metal plate rubbing against the spring.
Nice, that looks good. Well done and thanks for the pics.
So with the notches you have enough clearance to access the spark plugs fine?
Without them you couldnt?
Just trying to determine if this is a must.
Although I can also see why for the headlight lines you mentioned.
Did you also add the additional structural bracing brackets on the outside that I’ve seen in WCCC vids.?
Yes I did. But I also used a little thicker steel too. You can get at the plugs, but this is a easier fix. Not just for plugs but headers bolts and if you want/need to pull a head.