Ford Windsor Forums

Hi, I just bought a 79 LTD II w/302 for $2500 off E-Bay in very nice shape with only 68K miles and can't believe it didn't at least have dual exhaust.

I don't need a race car just better mileage and a little assistance merging.

I'll change to dual exhaust, but want to know what else to do w/o spending a lot of cash. Go fuel injected?

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The Token Gimp

a good set of headers

Gimp.

You might try a good after market dual plane intake and small 4 barrel carb. I'd be conservative with the carb size. Cheaper still would be getting some cold air to the carb.

I agree with adding headers as well. I'm not sure what the emission laws are were you are but some free flowing exhaust would be a good plan to help both mileage and power.

Now if you could somehow mount a 302 to this.......

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I'm just a old vanner

I like it! It would be great getting around after the snow flies. Where do I get one (w/windshield)?

Thanks for the other suggestions too. I had a 99 pontiac GTP w/ 3.8 suprcharged & when I opened up the breathing on it I gave a few of the newer GTO's a run. Had I chipped it, put an underdrive pulleys and fuel mgmnt system....yeah it always can be done.

I know the 302 had variable lowers depending on model which were more solid, but this is just a driver to get better mileage with some bolt ons & don't want to have to take the motor out because that defeats my purpose of saving money on a car I'll likely sell in 6 months. This was out of my norm but I like it.

my other cars are a 71 international travelall in nice shape and my daily driver is a 86 525e w/265,000 miles I paid $1000 drives everywher w/28mpg.

Again thanks & have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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The Token Gimp

BTW, emissions? we don't need no stinkin emissions.... this is a collector car so things change in MN

;-D

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The Token Gimp

Good old 2-into-1 exhausts. 70s were a tough time for cars, especially anything "performance" wise, it just wasn't happening. The last "icon" of American Muscle being the Bandit style Pontiac Trans Ams, and those were only rated around 200-220 HP with a Pontiac 400ci. I have a 1979 Pontiac Firebird Formula with a 301ci Pontiac motor, and it has a identical displacement and power ratings of the Ford 302. Now, my Formula came from the factory with 2-into-1 exhaust, and it was pretty repressive. You'd floor it and the car would chirp sqeak and roll on. I had a dual exhaust with an x-pipe and glasspacks/2.5 inch piping installed and now it'll burn rubber in Drive. That really showed me the difference between single and dual, everyone knows that dual is more "power" but this experience really put it into context for me.

 I have a 79 Granada 302 and my intents were to switch to headers, true dual exhaust, and a 4bbl set up. I'm not touching the motor until it kicks the can. It's got 149,000 original miles on it and it's still ticking. I have Fox Body headers from my old 1992 Mustang that will likely fit, and I'll just build an exhaust set up.

If you get yours done before I do mine, please post and let me know how it went/like it/power increases/MPG and so on. I'd love to hear what you use! Oh and any way we can see some pics of this LTD? I'm a big fan of the 70s full size cars.

Thanks. the Variable Carb is cold blooded bugger too. I'll let you know what I come up with when I talk to my real Ford guy .He's a master mechanic for all the mustangs as his dad the knows the older ford begining with the flat-head. I've got a few pictures just haven't taken time to post here. I had a 78 regal with the 3.8 six and it had duals. It too was a lot of fun to drive before they went to the slightly bigger car of 80's and of course turbo. My grandma had a Granada and she always drove it like she going to be late getting there.It was a very fast car, just not desirable to a kid like me back then. My friend gave me some car magazines tonight, recent Linechasers from the MSRA, but also a Hemmings Classic Car #64 January 2010 and it reflects on the 70's In fact the title on the cover "Seventies Sensations" Cars of the fuel short 1970's. Paging through I guess they weren't all bad cars,  just a lot of them. PEACE.

 

I'll post Pictures. It's a mint green 2dr hard to miss.

 

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The Token Gimp

That 3.8 Buick motor was a good engine. My buddy has a 78 Olds Omega with that motor. 145k and keeps on ticking. Decent power too for the era.

I've driven all 3 motors of Granada. I had a 250-L6 and that was decent. Not fast but got up and went. And I've driven a 351 and a 302 Granada (which I own currently) and I couldn't tell the difference in power and speed in either until you got on the highway. On initial acceleration they were comparble. Granadas aren't very desirable to most people! haha I hear jokes about them all the time, or people go, "A Granada...." and sigh. But then you get the folks who appreciate them, and are in awe because it was their first car or Grandpa/ma had one and so on. I like the big 70s tanks.

I have that issue of Hemmings. I bought it at the airport when I was waiting for my flight to San Francisco. Awesome articles, and lots of cool knowledge. I really dig the 70s cars, and maybe because they are what I can ideally afford and find for relative cheapness.

Where you able to locate my photo gallery? My grandma had the 351. It was like you suggest more of a mid-range power-band. very good merging and passing range.

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The Token Gimp

Item number:290392150296 E-bay has a nice 75 Mark IV w/64738 miles, buy now $3500

 

JUST FYI :~D

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The Token Gimp

That looks like a very nice LTD! I bet its a comfortable one.

 If I had the choice I'd readily take a 351 car, but when you stumble on a $900 2-owner beauty you don't get picky on the color scheme and options haha

I'll check the Lincoln out. Thanks for the link!

I second Catfish, this could make an enteresting build.

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1stgencat
67 Standard Cougar
Restomod in work