Thread: is this a difficult task? kinda long!

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I did the Vega thing years ago years ago. I had a 73 wagon, and thought it would make a cute pick-up truck (as I recall I was drinking kind of heavily back then ). Anyway I ran a bunch of engines in it over the years, ended up with a 327 3 dueces /4spd/8"ford Rear end. I think it would be kind of a neat project as you don't see them around anymore.

A couple of draw backs to keep in mind. The front disc brakes are really small and I'm not aware of any inexpensive conversions for them. The rear suspension is a coil spring type, and I've never had much luck getting those to hook up compared to leaf springs.

I also did a 65 Dart at one point (same platform as the Valiant). The small block Chrysler motors are a bolt in as would be an A833 4 speed like I was running. Biggest draw back is exhaust. Your stuck with either very restrictive 273 Dart Valiant only manifolds or federwell headers.

If your not married to the Chevy engine thing here's a thought.
If I was going to build another really hot street/strip car I would likely do another V8 Pinto. Here the formula I would use:

71-73 Coupe body (the one with the trunk instead of the hatch and the thin and light ribbon bumpers). It's the lightest and most rigid.

SB Ford, either a buillt 351W or 302 (I would likely start with a 351 and build the biggest stroker I could). The engine is a bolt in using 75--78 Mustang II mounts. Headers are available thru Hooker for ewither the 302 or 351.

Upgrade the brakes with 75-up Mustang II spindels (There a bit beffier than the earlier Pinto/74 Mustang II units) and add 11 Disc brakes (the conversion is fairly cheap and readily available). I would also upgrade the front springs to 78 Mustang II V8/AC springs (also readily available and a bolt in. If you also wanted to go around corners, the Must II sway bars are a bolt on.

I back the engine up with a SB C6.

Finally a 9" is almost a bolt in (spring perch relocation is sometimes needed). A 57-59 Ford SW rear end is exactly the right width, but it seems that back in the day we also got by some other 60's (' housing by using the wheels with the right offset. Although a 4 link would be ideal, you can get buy with the stock leaf springs and traction bars.

Just a thought