I have a new project...

[RustyRatRod]

After literally years of trying to get some kinda Mopar goin to no avail, struggling with depression and all of my disability related issues, I finally realized they are simply too expensive for me right now. So......I got a Ford product. I thought about a long time before I did it. My thought is, if I can attach something to the 5.0 Fox Mustang movement, it will be dirt cheap to build. No, it's not a Fox body, but I am basically putting a Mustang (Explorer engine) in it. So I thought I might share it with yall, if you're interested. If not, that's cool too.

 

[satman72]

Nice to see you back Rob!

Sure, show us what you got. I'm game!

 

[D575]

I'm so sorry, Good to see you back though.

 

[HYRDGOON]

Let's see it!

 

[Propwash]

Cool beans Rob! Let's hear some more about it.

 

[Coyoteduster]

Cool, just don't use the tires off that Exploder! :violent4:

 

[RustyRatRod]

Ok. Here it is. A 76 model Mercury Bobcat. I am putting a 1999 5.0 Explorer engine in it. It is the GT40P engine. Has the best heads Ford ever used on the 302. Almost ready to stab the engine and trans in the car. It's a world class T5 5speed transmission. I have already swapped in a Ford 8" rear end with 3.40 gears. It's essentially just a small 9". Looks just the same but is a tad smaller. Had Oregon Cam do a custom grind off the stock Explorer core. .447/.506 218/224 @ .050 on a 110. Hydraulic roller. Desktop Dyno says close to 300 HP and over 340 LB FT of torque. Should be snappy pushin around less than 2500 pounds.

 

[Coyoteduster]

That ought to run!

 

[wedge69]

I LOVE those car's !!! Go for it Rob and enjoy yourself !!! I have also been there and it dose take some to recover but Hay you gota do what you can to feel better !! Keep us in tune as your still are a part of the Family here !!!!!!!!!

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Ok. Here it is. A 76 model Mercury Bobcat. I am putting a 1999 5.0 Explorer engine in it. It is the GT40P engine. Has the best heads Ford ever used on the 302. Almost ready to stab the engine and trans in the car. It's a world class T5 5speed transmission. I have already swapped in a Ford 8" rear end with 3.40 gears. It's essentially just a small 9". Looks just the same but is a tad smaller. Had Oregon Cam do a custom grind off the stock Explorer core. .447/.506 218/224 @ .050 on a 110. Hydraulic roller. Desktop Dyno says close to 300 HP and over 340 LB FT of torque. Should be snappy pushin around less than 2500 pounds.

Thats awesome. She outta scoot pretty good. Should be a blast to drive.

- - - Updated - - -

Where the hell did you even find a bobcat anyway hahaha?

 

[1970GTX]

i don't care what you are working on, i'm just glad you are back, missed your wit and knowledge.

 

[snakeoil24]

Very nice car to build, should be pretty fast and glad to see youy Rusty.

 

[Propwash]

I haven't seen one of those in years. Looks like it's in pretty dang good shape. That thing should be a rocket with that combo.

 

['67Satellite]

Awesome, before Mopars for me. It was Fords! Love it, should be fun.

 

[idrivemopar]

You need to hook up with 73rattler on the forum here, he has a Pintang! LOL Pinto wagon with Mustang II front end and a hopped up 4 banger! LOL

 

[RustyRatRod]

I bet that car is a hoot. I am doing this for a couple of reasons. First, to keep me in the hobby. I don't care what anybody says, Mopars are costly in comparison to Fords and Chevys. Secondly, I did a V8 Pinto about 30 years ago when I was a kid. It was a real hack job. I cut that car to pieces. Kinda always wanted to redeem myself. This car is a factory P/S, manual disc brake, A/C auto. So far, I've swapped in the 8" rear end, swapped in manual pedals, got the engine built, the transmission bolted onto the engine and the engine bay cleaned and painted. I need to patch a hole on the passenger's side fender well where the battery was, and get the HVAC box out to replace the heater core and inspect the evaporator. Once I get that done, I am gonna stab the engine and trans in. The 74 and up cars are a complete total bolt in swap for a small block, as they share the same chassis as the rustang II. I think the only reason Ford never offered a V8 in these is because they wouldda upstaged the rustang. ......and they certainly would have. Hopefully I will be driving it by the end of the Summer if not before.

 

[Stevo427]

That's sweet! I'd drive that with pride. Love to see the look on peoples faces when you blow by them in a Bobcat!...I got an 69 swb chevy truck with a 327 vette engine and when I beat new cars they always give me a funny look. Actually surprised a Newer Mach1 mustang the other day when I pulled the dude in a race :headbang:

 

[YY1]

Some days, I follow/lead an early pinto wagon about half way to work.

Looks like it just rolled off the new car lot.

Moves out pretty good, too.

I'm guessing 2.3 5 speed.

Lady across the street in the 80's had a king cobra mustang II. Always kinda liked that car.
A guy in the auto body class had a glass hatch pinto with a built 2.3 that ran pretty strong.
There was another one of those in the 'hood that looked identical, but had a 302.
That car was scary. The v8 vega conversion was much more popular in my neck of the woods, but I always thought, despite the bad press/explosions/iffy name, that the pinto platform was a much better car, even stock.

 

[WAYNES WORLD]

Hey great project, keep us posted. I'm another Blue Oval fan too. I ran a 2300cc 4 banger in a Pinto and turned 14.40's way back. Really pissed off my buddy when I beat him in his new 79 Z28. In case you are not aware you can swap the tail end on the Stang T5 with the Chevy S10 T5 trans. This will move the shifter forward about 5 inches. Do a search on s10 tail housing on mustang t5 and you will come up with a bunch of information. I'm running this setup in my 54 F100.
http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrB...wap.html/RK=0/RS=YIad8PSTMKNXXLJxe5hLrlsG2Ks-

 

[RustyRatRod]

Holy crap. If I move the shifter forward 5", it will be under the dash. It already is gonna be a little forward from stock. Some of the guys say sometimes you need to trim the front of the shifter hole and sometimes not. Kinda cool too, because they all used the same size hole for manual or auto, so I MAY not have to cut at all. We'll see.