The term "emergency brakes" is a misnomer; they are actually called Parking Brakes, and even though they can be used in an emergency, they aren't designed for that; only to hold the car when parked. Another misnomer is "freeze plugs", suggesting that they are designed to pop out and protect the block in the event that the owner isn't smart enough to run coolant. While that sometimes will happen, many times it won't, since soft plugs are only there to plug off the block after the casting sand has been removed. ... View more

You'd think when comparing the 80-86 Fords they could have at least found a pickup of the same era, rather than showing an 87-91 model; I think that particular range was the ugliest. Without bringing any antiques into it, I think the best-looking Ford trucks were the 73-79 (w/ 78 grille), then the 92-96, then the 99-04 Super Duties. ... View more

Yes! I keep reading how GM "finally" made it mid-engine. To be either front- or rear-engine, the mill has to horizontally cross the centerline of the front or rear wheels. That is why the Vette always had a long hood; the wheels were always forward of the engine. So it was always a front-mid layout until the C8 when it became a rear-mid like all the Italian and other supercars. Examples of rear-engine cars would be the Fiero and MR2, besides all the early VWs. Or even the Tucker! ... View more

Yes, automatics win races; stickshifts impress high-school girlfriends. If you've got a builder that knows his automatics, and a converter builder that can build a quality unit according to your cam and other specs, you've got a machine that will beat a stick off the line every time! ... View more

Another cool-looking scoop hood that was also my first car, was the one-year-only 72 Gran Torino Sport/Ranchero GT, which mainly came with the Cleveland engine, or perhaps the 429. The air cleaner itself was standard, but it was common practice, with mine and others, to remove the plates behind the scoop and switch to an open-element cleaner that made the scoop functional. But in general, the scoop was styled so well into the hood that it was cool even if non-functional. The Mercury Montego GT was the sister to the Sport, and it had its own cool hood scoops. ... View more

Yes, and some journals even advertised it as a 4.9. But since Ford had already long had the legendary 4.9 I-6 engine, they chose to round up. Does have a nicer ring to it. ... View more

That's pretty funny! A good motor, but if I were a Mopar guy, I'd just use a 318. That's a good motor, too. ... View more

Good point if budget is the most important thing. But I will almost always spend more money doing things that aren't what everyone else does. Parts for my Fairmont are impossible to find, but it's still better than having another Mustang. ... View more

Before LS swaps, there was always the 350 swap; just as silly to me. How many times have you seen a beautiful old Ford with a 350 sitting in it. Why? The coolest old rod I've seen locally is a 32 Ford with a 5.0 HO from a 90s Mustang. Even if you're going more modern, why not at least keep it the same make? The 302 can go head-to-head with a 350. As far as restomods go, it's not for everyone. There is the OE crowd, and the mod crowd. I personally prefer fuel injection and overdrive for anything, as long is it's feasible. I just finished a 700 swap on a customer's 71 Chevelle that has a Corvette 350 in it. You'll retain the "feel" of the old car, but have a more reliable system. LS swap? In a Chevelle, why not? Swapping a Ford? Go for the Coyote swap!! ... View more

Being a transmission guy, I have to say something about the GM conversions. Even though the right 200-4R will bolt up straight to the Olds (BPO) engine pattern, the 700-R4 is a much better conversion in so many ways. First of all, its torque handling is comparable to the 350, rather than the ultra light-duty 200 unit (which GM was actually sued for using), and there are probably more performance options for the 700 than almost any other unit! The sky is pretty much the limit on making it hold up to your engine. AND there is a valve kit available so you don't need ANY wiring going to the unit for lockup, which you really want if lower RPMs is what you're after! The 700 is shorter than the 200-4R, so requires less modifications to fit. Last year, I completed an overhaul on a 700 conversion in a $100k 55 Chevy (383 stroker) where a poorly installed "rebuilt" unit lasted only 40 miles. It is now happily doing donuts if it wants to! And one of my good customers just had me do a full 350-700 conversion on his 71 Chevelle that he keeps looking mostly stock but wanted lower RPMs on the freeway. He is very happy with it. Buy an Olds-Chevy case adapter if you want overdrive on your old BPO setup! Otherwise, get a Gear Vendors, but it'll likely cost you more and require electronics and more maintenance. ... View more

How about my 79 Fairmont Futura restomod? Right now, it's only got a 300-horse 96 Explorer 5.0 in it.  ... View more

I used to own a 77 Mark V, which had the longest doors of any production car made. Talk about a land yacht! But I think the pinnacle of the Mark series was the last generation, the Mark VIII, based on the newer T-bird platform, starting in 93, but specifically the 97-98 with the facelift. It came standard with HID headlights (the first of their kind), and a cool neon trunk 3rd brake light. You can still find some with the original air springs, if they haven't been converted. They also had the "InTech" 32-valve V8 (basically a Cobra engine). Very smooth personal luxury car. I tried for years to find a deal on the Toreador Red one I wanted (had to have a sunroof) with tan interior, but still don't have one. Maybe someday before the prices go up.... ... View more

Yes, even though Ford called it a "Modified Cleveland", and the 400 is also considered to be in the Cleveland family, neither engine is very much like the original Cleveland, which was a great performance machine. Yes, the M is considered a big block, which is why it uses the transmissions and bellhousings with the big block pattern. I consider it an engine built with low compression in response to the newer emissions standards, and generally and undesirable mill, unless you want to do major mods to it. I don't believe it came in anything other than pickups, and only with a 2-barrel carb. ... View more