I am genuinely heartbroken today to find out that the 68 Cougar XR7 GT I bought a few months ago that the engine block is cracked and it froze up.
Mechanics are telling me to drop a modern engine into it like an LS or a Coyote but I really wanted to preserve history. Mechanics are telling me there is no way to save this engine .
wanting a gut check and any advice
Sorry to hear regarding the failure.
Retrofit or Original drivetrain is a personal choice - I’ve done both like a lot of folks - but if I had the choice with your particular car I’d stick with the FE.
Yes the newer stuff makes efficient power and is arguably higher reliability but you’ll never replicate the sound and feel of a good running FE (okay, my bias might be coming out just a little - I personally love these engines and have ever since the 80’s as a teenager when I helped put together a real live Thunderbolt with a friend).
Know that FEs seem to have defied time remaining fairly plentiful now for an awful lot of years.
If you do decide on the retrofit option expect a lot of ancillary upgrades and costs.
Not knowing the details of what failed, know that you can pickup a core 390 engine block for fairly small money - I see these regularly in S. AZ for $500 or less usually as complete engines.
Heck, I’ve even seen running 390GT engines come up from time to time.
You really just need to decide what your goals are and make a plan.
Finding a short block may not be that difficult if a 302 or 390. WCCC may have them, but then there is shipping, so you may want to check local.
Swapping in a Coyote or Godzilla will quickly escalate in price due to the many needed changes…a Coyote requires chopping your shock towers.
I was considering a Godzilla swap as it has a smaller footprint if I had purchased a more common Cougar.
There are places that fix cracks in cast iron. Just depends on where on the block and how bad it is cracked. Is the engine still in the car or out and apart?
Take a deep breath and sit back to decide what you want to do. How’s the rest of the car? Body clean or rusty? How’s rest of drivetrain and suspension? How’s interior? What do want car to be? Easy for a mechanic to say drop in a LS or Coyote but that brings other challenges. Realize that the car is likely worth more as an XR 7 GT with a 390 than with something different under the hood. Do some research and figure what you want to do. Building a 390 with a short block isn’t a crazy task. Best wishes.
thanks for your reply the engine is out.
the rest of the car is tip-top. No rust. Interior is beautifully maintained. Body is great etc etc. Just nothing had been done to the engine. was in the process of looking to rebuild it and not driving it that much before this happened
Doing anything but sourcing another block or short block is bad advice. The number of things you would have to re-engineer to make a non original engine swap will blow through money like crazy. Right now you have all but one part and you know everything is going to go back together according to the original design.
Is your vin number on the block or the heads? Finding a date coded block isn’t terribly difficult, you just need some luck and patience. But if your motor is out you may be on the clock to get it back in there.
I read thru this post and never saw where the block is cracked…kinda sounds like you may have losr a cylinder wall…if so , have it sleeved
Id get the engine torn down and inspected for damage and repair , replace the damaged parts at a good automotive machine shop.
You may need to change mechanics also
Canostra,
It would probably be helpful if you were to include a basic idea of where you are located. Such as LA or Detroit or??? There may be someone close to you that would be able to help you with either parts or information on a good shop to use.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
Thank you for everyone;'‘s thoughts and responses. Its a 390 original big block - i.e. matching numbers. I am based in Los Angeles
Can you tell us where the crack is located?
Coyote swap is very expensive
Sent you a PM with machine shop recommendation in your area. They are just North of you. You will have to look long and far for someone you can trust an FE to. Had them do the machining for my 64 Tbird a couple of years ago and found everything spot on during assembly. Two other shops I’ve used since we’re borderline inept…
I have a complete take out 1968 date coded 390 block. I seem to remember an 8H or 8G date code. It’s complete with accessories/pulleys and a C6 attached to the back. $1500 without the C6 or $2500 with the trans. It has not been started in decades. Think core. I’ll guarantee it to be usable or your money back. Ray 248 867-3522
If your asking this question I would recommend staying with the original engine setup. find a buildable core or shop for a used running engine. Take your time and shop around, you will find deal that makes sense for you.
Modern engine swaps are much more involved then one might think and if you can not do it yourself be prepared to spend thousands on the conversion. Im a modern engine guy and would love to use one on my car but its a major project and honestly not something I would suggest you pay anyone for
These guys are a little far from you but I follow them closely and see a lot of people bring their vehicles and engines from all over the US. I believe they did a video where they had a cracked block repaired.
I like the idea of staying with the 390 . Best choice if you want to keep it close to original , I had the same conversation with my engine builder , I have a 1968 mustang fastback 428 cobra jet that is non original resto-mod . He suggested a Windsor stroked 427.much less cost than a cayote , modern performance, easier fit and massive potential horsepower , also still looks in place for the older car .