Thoughts and opinions

[Stormwalker]

Alright, thought I would also ask on here to get your perspective on this. I am currently embroiled in a project on my car.

The car was a stock 1988 Mustang GT, I had only done the mass air conversion and installed a 190LPH fuel pump in preperation for this project.

What I mean to install:

TFS Stage 1 cam
Edelbrock Performer 5.0 heads with TFS double valve springs
Cobra upper & lower intake
adj fuel press regulator
30 lb injectors with calibrated 75 mm mass air meter
70mm throttle body

However, one of my head bolts broke. When I drilled it out, I initially screwed up, so I drilled it out further for a heli coil. That too screwed up, and now the block is junk. I can get a free shortblock out of an 88 Lincoln Town car, and it apparently is a HO block.

Should I spend the money to go through the block out of the Lincoln? I would probably want new cam seals, main bearings, rings, etc on an unknown motor.
Or should I wait until late next summer and stuff some money away in the meantime for a DSS block stroked to 347?

Mainly, I am asking if I am throwing money away in rebuilding a stock shortblock. I would probably use it for a couple of years hopefully. Also, if anyone knows of any problems or differences between the Lincoln blocks and the Mustang blocks, by all means, inform me. Thanks.

[Raider]

they are both the same blocks...if you have the money build the short block and then add the heads,intake etc...you can get good power out of it

[Stormwalker]

Raider wrote:
they are both the same blocks...if you have the money build the short block and then add the heads,intake etc...you can get good power out of it

What do you mean by build the short block? Just go straight for the DSS block? I am actually reconsidering this option, for I would also be replacing the transmission. The stock T5 can only handle 350 hp. The stock block can usually hit 500 hp and hold together. 347+other performance parts+boost>500 hp. Even the 347+performance parts>stock T5 trans. So when this car gets boosted and stroked, I will need a better block and transmission. Which would mean any money I put into this shortblock is only for a "time loan". I suppose I might as well though, it will be worth it to put off the bigger project until later.

As long as that Lincoln motor will work! You made me feel better about that anyways.

[Raider]

my friend here at work built a good short block and added the aluminum Edelbroch heads and intake and upgraded the MAF and injectors and is running a 150 shot and isnt having any problems with his T5

[Stormwalker]

Raider wrote:
my friend here at work built a good short block and added the aluminum Edelbroch heads and intake and upgraded the MAF and injectors and is running a 150 shot and isnt having any problems with his T5

Hmm, I am reluctant here, because I want a reliable car I can drive across states and such for trips. But if the T5 can take a 347 with some bolt ons, then I would be a lot more tempted to go 347 now.

[50stang]

That Lincoln engine block should be nearly identical to the block you have now. It is a Ford 5.0l block. There aren't really a lot of differences between 5.0's when you start looking at the bare block. That stock shortblock will live for a long time at more HP then you will throw at it... even if you had a supercharger/nitrous on it.

As long as you already have that mess of parts sitting there and are just needing a block, just get the block, put some new main bearings, rings, seals, oil pump & oil pump shaft, timing chain and sprockets and put that thing back together. You already have 90% of the stuff you need, and the rest won't cost a whole lot of money. Just get that block, do what you need to do and get her going again.
It'll have plenty of power for ya for the mean time... besides... if you spend all the extra money for the machine work and 347 kit, Jamie will kick your ass... if she hasn't already.