THE TRANSMISSION AND EXHAUST

When I started this project I had nothing but the original 6 cylinder for parts and the 302 engine, I had to aquire as I went along. I was lucky to find a follow club member who had a motor and trans out of a 68 he once had. I went to check it out and my luck was in, it had all the bits and pieces I was missing IE kick down, neutral safety switch, tranny lines and shift linkage. I got the whole thing for 80 bucks and for a extra 20 he threw in the V8 driveshaft too which I needed. I then dropped it off at the tranny shop and they rebuilt it and installed a Stage 2 B&M shift kit and new torque converter($600us).

I sprayed it with high temp silver and then a coat of high temp clear coat for that smooth glossy look.

Next it was to fit it in the vehicle. I did it the good old fashion way....on my back lol. It went well the first time, meaning I ended up doing it 3 times. First time the flex plate was too big, later 302's had 164 tooth plates. I got a 157 tooth...it fitted but engine had a bad vibration....bugger!!!Plate size was right but the balance was not, it was a 50 ounce...needed a 28 oz( machine shop told me it was a 50 oz???)and that damn plate cost an arm a leg for fitting fe engines in vintage stang's. I went to Napa and got a 28 oz 157 tooth and put it in...PERFECT!!!...about bloody time lol.

THE EXHAUST ARRIVED

Got a big package today, It was my new exhaust from NPD(National Parts Depot). A complete 2 1/2 inch Flowmaster American Thunder with Delta 40 series mufflers and polished stainless steel tips. I chose this setup cause..well Flowmaster always has a great sound for a good price($414 us). The headers I got from E-Bay and they are chrome plated Tri-y's with 3 inch collecters(same as the Shelby's used). Time to fit it all...yeehaaaa!!

Headers and under car shot of them.


I painted all the welds the same way as the tranny.

The hangers are nice solid rubber type and the rear ones mount where the original tie down plates bolt to the rear sub frame.
The front hangers you have to drill and fit anchor plates under the rear seat.

The mufflers fitted nice and snug to the floorpan, it took a lot of tweaking to get right. Then it was off to the exhaust shop to get the headers adapted to the exhaust($60 us). Only trouble I had was the close fit with the rear sway bar(sway bar was a top mounted and not the behind the diff mounted type) and electric fuel pump but was able to gain the neccessary clearance needed with a bit of jiggling and tweaking.Had to keep the exhaust an inch more forward then I liked which made the slant cuts on the exhaust tips flush with the rear valance. It gave it a sort of hidden look which may or may not be bad...will have to revise it later if I need to go to chrome extensions.