1967 Ford Mustang Engine Swap - How-To Convert From Six To Eight

JBA Means Fit
JBA Performance Exhaust provided us with everything from the exhaust valves to the exhaust tips. The titanium-coated shorty headers look subtle and all-business, plus they provide exceptional clearance on both sides of the engine. During our installation of JBA's EVOL exhaust system, we were pleasantly surprised at how well this system fit. The H-pipe package has provisions for O2 bungs for those with fuel-injected power, and if not, plugs for the bungs to keep exhaust gasses inside.

What surprised us most was not having to hire an exhaust shop to install this system. We did run into one clearance issue with the left-hand tailpipe. It needed a slight bend, performed at a local exhaust shop, to clear the fuel tank. We're pretty convinced the tailpipes are also designed for a late-model Fox-body Mustang because one of the pipes needed a pinch of custom bending to fit. Outside of the one tailpipe, the system was a virtual bolt-on.What impressed us most about the JBA system wasn't sound or looks, it was fit. We wanted turn-down exhaust tips we could hide behind the rear valance. We did have to bend the left-hand tailpipe for a perfect fit.

JMC Motorsports Hydraulic Clutch
Regarding Mustang's equalizer-bar clutch linkage early in the '60s, this flimsy bellcrank design fails all too often. JMC Motorsports does away with it with an innovative hydraulic clutch kit that's easy to install and a pleasure to use, as we learned on our six-to-eight project car. All you need is a '79-'95 5.0L bellhousing, clutch fork, and block plate.

Keeping It Cool
Whenever you step up to V-8 power, you're going to need the cooling capacity to support it. At the very minimum, you need the Scott Drake 24-inch, four-row core desert-cooler radiator from Mustangs Plus along with a fan shroud to improve air velocity. If your budget will allow more, opt for a Griffin 24-inch aluminum radiator, also available from Mustangs Plus. If originality is important, paint the Griffin radiator satin black and continue to enjoy the cool of aluminum. A Flex-A-Lite stainless steel flex fan works wonderfully and quietly in place of your Mustang's original steel fan. These upgrades, coupled with a high-flow water pump, will help keep your engine cool on the hottest days.

Rolling On New Wheels
With the upgrade to V-8 power comes an important decision about wheels. You can switch to five-lug steel wheels and simply swap tires. You can also step up to something even more radical and attractive from the aftermarket. Because Carolyn wanted to keep her Mustang more stock in appearance, she opted for 14x511/42-inch '67 styled-steel wheels from Scott Drake Enterprises. These wheels, available from JMC Motorsports, were an easy swap because her relatively-new, white-sidewall 195/70/14 radial tires were ready for thousands of miles of use. Styled-steel wheels made her once utilitarian six-cylinder Mustang distinctive and elegant.

Classic Tube While You're At It
Whenever you tear a Mustang this far down, count on replacing the brake and fuel lines for safety and reliability. After 40 years of use, they're rusty and ready for replacement. Classic Tube can help with computer-precision brake and fuel lines for all applications.