Thread: Looking for a hot rod project!

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I am looking to build my first hot rod, i have a mustang frame and suspension to start with and looking for a 1930-1950 2 dr car, money is not a big deal, but I dont want one thats finished.

Mustang frame??????? No Mustang ever made had a frame. They were all unibodies.

sorry, thats what i meant, i have a mustang unabody 84 model, with suspension and rear end, i have a 41 mercury thats in very rough shape, is it possible to use the mustang? or should i completely start over?

If that Mustang is a V-8, it's a fine donor car. You can use the engine and trans, alternator, etc. If you are converting the Mercury to disc brakes, you can use the Mustang's master cylinder and metering valve, the brake pedal, and possibly the brake pushrod. If the Mustang is fuel injected, be sure to keep the computer and wiring harness unless you intend to change the intake and run a carburetor.

If the Mustang is a 4-cyl, sell it and get a different donor car. The 2300 engine is a good piece, but it's a little anemic in the torque department to pull that big ol' Merc around...

thanks for the advice, it was a 4 cyl., but has already had the motor , trans, etc. taken off and sold. I am basically just going to use the unabody, if thats possible.

I will be putting in a 350/350 turbo and disc brakes....its gonna be a big job I think, but all I have is time anyway...

The Mustang really has nothing to give up for the project. You don't have a frame, a rear axle that will be big enough, and the front suspension will only yield a few small pieces.

The aftermarket should have some kits available to install a modern rear axle under the Merc frame, maybe a widened Mustang ll style front suspension that's designed for this body, and engine and trans mounts for the 350/350 setup.

This is a major project, and if I may be frank, it sounds like you are somewhat new to this game. I would find a car that does not need major surgery, but can simply be modified a little at a time. Probably a 50s or 60s G.M. car that your engine can simply bolt into. Good luck.

thanks, I am the first to say I am very new to this, my grandfather has built cars, but I have never really had anything to do with it, now hes older and wants me to help him and I am new. The reason I am using the mercury is because he gave it to me. I can buy another frame that better suits me, but I am not sure where to look...other than junkyards around here.

Sit down with Grandpa and discuss putting an S10 Chevy pickup frame under the Merc. With some planning, you could use the center section of the Merc frame and the end sections of the S10 frame all welded together and still have the body bolted to the original frame section in the right locations. The S10 is a natural for a 350 engine swap and the rear will hold up ok if you don't treat it too badly. Of course, the 9" rear out of an early Ford Explorer would be the rear of choice for a bulletproof swap.

Keep asking questions and discussing it with Grandpa. You'll get it figured out.

again, thanks alot for the quick replies. I will see what i can come up with, and keep asking questions in here.. thnx again

Actually, if you have the 41 merc, why dont you use the existing frame as a guide, get some tube steel and bend it to match? Reinforce where needed, and lower to body to the new frame. then take the motor from the mustang, rebuild it and youll have a nice rod project. You could even fab the mustang suspension under it

i got a chevy 2wd silverado frame and suspension today, its got the same wheelbase as the mercury, so I guess I will start with that