Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

Ok I just recently picked up a 1986 Mustang I would like to build for Stock. I have all of the body parts, and some of the interior will need to be replaced. What I am looking for is information on the motor. I know there are some things that can be done to make the stockers run, not looking for anyones super tricks, but any information wold help. I have most of the motor parts that came in the car from the factory.

Also if I looked at this right the car will run M/SA or N/SA right?

Re: Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

Stick or auto? Hatch or sedan? It will be M, N or O probably. The 86 heads are some of the worst 302 heads out there. You might want to try to run it as an '87-'89 which have a lot better head.

Re: Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

if you already have the 86 body, it would be easier to run it as an 85, and plus thats a good combo...Not saying that the combo Bill mentioned isnt a good combo, but you wouldnt have to change much exterior pieces or interior.

also talk to Summers out of KY, he has that stocker flying

Re: Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

Hey Stephen. Yeah, I didn't know how much sheet metal diff there was going to 87+. Isn't the '85 that weird year where the stick is a carb and the auto is injected?

Re: Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

yes...the front end is diff, dash, inside door panels, the hood, and the pillar behind the door is not glass compared to the 87 and up mustangs. yes the 85 stick is a carb and the auto is a CFI.

Re: Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

The car is a hatch, and right now can go either way stick or auto.

Re: Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

how far back can this car be claimed? i know the body style was similar from like 79-86. Really just trying to find a good class to have some fun in, without breaking the bank...

Re: Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

About the only visual difference between a 85 & 86 Mustang body is the rear spoiler. A 85 LX has no rear spolier, a 85 GT has a rear spoiler without the 3rd brake light, all 86 Hatchbacks came with the same style of spoiler as the 85 GT, but with the 3rd brake light in the center. As mentioned, 86 was the only year that used the oddball head, as well as flat top pistons with no eyebrows, and a smaller throttle body than the 87 & up 5.0 engines.Converting a 86 Mustang into a 87-93 is a major job; front nose, complete interior, including dashboard, rear side glass, tail lights, all body side moldings, door mirrors, etc, plus front & rear bumpers and lower body side ground effects if it will be a GT model. A local racer tried the 86 GT stickshift conbo for a few years, and gave up. I think Tony Denysenkos 86 Capri is the only car running this engine combo currently. His car is an automatic, and runs well, but they have also been been flogging it for quite while. Peronally, I like the 85 4 barrel stick combo, but if you want to run a EFI 5.0 Mustang with an automatic, I`d sell the 86 and get a 88-93, or a 94-95. Tons of car out fhere, and and like my 85 4 barrel Mustang, the factory parts like heads, intakes, etc are plentifull and dirt cheap, sometimes free, since these FOX body Mustangs are very popular with the street crowd, and they can`t remove the "stock junk" fast enough. As for an earlier choices, 79 had a 302 2 barrel option, in 80 & 91 the only V8 was a goofy 255 2 barrel, 82 had a "high output" 2 barrel 302, 83&84 had a 4 barrel HO 302, but like the 85, all the 82-84 5.0s were stickshift when used with a carb. In 84 & 85 (maybe 83 as well?) the auto was available, but only with a CFI, similar to GMs TBI, not the later multiport EFI of the 86-93 Mustangs. I am not aware of anybody using the CFI setup. There have been a few strong running turbo 4 cylinder Mustangs in Stock, but if its still for sale, Mark Yacavonnes Mustang would get you on the track, and qualifying near the top right away.

Re: Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

Good info from Rory there .

Sounds like alot of work converting that '86 to an 87 +.
When I had my 91 LX I had thought about converting it to an '85 5.0 stick combo, but it was not cost effective so I canned the idea.

Converting that 86 to an 85 stick would be the easiest.

Re: Mustang Stocker HELP..
 

The early models use a different cowl vent and wiper placement. That piece is welded in as part of the body. I don't know about the later front sheet metal being a bolt on. Never tried it.
I did sell my Mustang almost two years ago. I know where it is, and it might be for sale.
He should have all the stick shift parts too.
I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for consistency though.
Now, Stock Combo class wins,..that's a different story!