Thirsty Thursday -Montego Edition

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
09/19/2013 at 13:03 • Filed to: THIRSTY THURSDAY, MONTEGO, MERCURY, 302

Here we go, ever since I put that 4 barrel on this thing DRINKS fuel:

And the thirsty part:

DISCUSSION (13)

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2013 at 13:05

What did you use to do the second picture? It's PS or it was hand drawn/painted?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
09/19/2013 at 13:09

Hahaha, Photoshopped. It was really dirty at the time of the picture (I was just excited to have it back together and running) so I put a fun filter on so the dirt/grime looked cool instead of just...dirty.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2013 at 13:11

It probably turned out cooler than if it was all shiny.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
09/19/2013 at 13:15

Ha thanks, it's never shiny, the car looks a lot better in pics than it does in real life so it would be real strange if the engine bay was pristine. I plan to swap out the blue valve covers for some nice black with red writing Ford Racing ones, and a matching air cleaner (which will be wider for MOAR AIR). I'd like to re-do those red hoses someone put on it with some black ones too. Maybe some Red wires one day.

Had some fun in PS and it worked out. I do quite a bit in PS, used to do it for work, then moved into a different part of the Automotive Advertising field. Fun to keep my skills up sometimes though.

Corson Currently Coupein' It > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2013 at 13:45

What size is that engine? Even I'm unhappy about the gas mileage I get, and I've got a pretty stock 289, as well as roughly 600 less pounds to lug around.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Corson Currently Coupein' It
09/19/2013 at 13:48

LOL only 600 less?

No but seriously it used to get great gas mileage then Holley and Edelbrock got involved and that went to hell. It's a 302 btw. I can't imagine if I had gotten the Torino with the 400m in it that I first looked at.

Now that I have a nice free breathing set of Flowmaster Super 44s on it (god, it sounds glorious), it may improve a little though.

Corson Currently Coupein' It > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2013 at 14:00

600 was a rough estimate haha, I'm sittin' pretty at between 2800-2900 pounds, maybe a hair under (coupe over fastback in this case).

After I posted that I thought it did look pretty similar to my engine. And yeah, I need some new mufflers, shes neither glorious nor loud. There are just so many things that take priority, rebuilt steering rack, T-5 5 speed swap... dynamat/carpet, seats that actually offer some sort of support. I can't afford to spend on things that are already in fine working order, you know?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Corson Currently Coupein' It
09/19/2013 at 14:21

Oh I hear you, I should have fixed the floors with the money I just spent. But I'd rather shake my neighbors windows. IF you decide to swap in some glorious mufflers do what I did. Order them from advance auto's website. you can easily find a 30% off up to 50$ and it's free shipping. I got 2 super 44s for $131, that includes tax and free shipping.

The 289 and 302 are almost identical so I can see why! I'm apparently not as heavy as I thought at about 3200 pounds. That may be a smidge less after taking off what felt like a 3000 pound iron intake manifold (it felt that heavy lifting it myself, I'm short it's a long lean into the center of a Montego engine bay).

Interestingly enough I actually have a 289 intake on my car, it's what was available on craigslist at the time and they match up perfectly, got me a higher level intake without paying more than a standard intake for a 302. The Performer RPM gets you MOAR POWER.

Let's see 289 + coupe over fastback and 2800-2900 pounds...Mustang?

Corson Currently Coupein' It > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2013 at 14:41

Ding Ding! Here she is: A little dirty, and my phone takes terrible photos, but you get the idea.

Kinja'd!!!

I'm rocking what came on the engine when I got it two and a half years ago: edelbrock 1406 4v carb, Performer 289 (not rpm) intake, stock heads, hedmen long tube headers and 2 1/2 inch exhaust. I swapped in a built 8 inch rear with a LSD and 3.55 gears, as well as disc brakes up front with all new stainless brake lines.

That's a pretty good deal on mufflers, I'll definitely check it out, thanks. I really can't wait till I put the five speed in, that's what I'm looking forward to the most.

What are your plans?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Corson Currently Coupein' It
09/19/2013 at 15:06

well for one that's a hell of a lot cleaner under the hood than mine. So congrats on that. Sounds like you've done some nice stuff to it, I was going to get a cheap used pair of headers from the mechanic but they didn't fit my car. thanks to my column shift auto transmission.

Plans for the car:

Previously mentioned black with red writing Ford Racing valve covers and air cleaner

fix the floor rust

dynomat/carpet

headliner

rear deck replacement (little shelf thing behind back seat,it came to me damaged)

paint (when i hit the lotto) probably Ford Sangria Red, or maybe Ford Race Red + metallic, it's just so flat in the sunlight.

colder thermostat

re-done or replaced radiator

bigger rear tires (at least)

drop front end an inch/inch and a half for a slight rake, I figure this is better than lifting the rear an inch

Then just detail stuff like swapping out for red spark plug wires

I'm very VERY happy with the engine as is right now. The carb/intake + exhaust was a huge upgrade to the motor and it hauls ass in comparison to it's original form. I could always upgrade the brakes to discs but I'll prolly stick with the drums and get some new shoes put in. It doesn't even have power brakes and somehow it stops pretty great for what it is.

Corson Currently Coupein' It > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2013 at 16:42

Nice plan, sounds pretty similar to where I started. Unfortunately I spent most of my money on disc brakes and the rear end, so I'm poor now, good thing I did all the assembly work with friends so I didn't have to pay mechanics hours.

So you're basically getting it to solid driver status. Luckily I bought my car with little rust, and solid paint work, so the most expensive/time consuming stuff is already done. Will you have to cut out and weld floor pans in, or just do some grinding/sanding and paint?

I've got to do that rear deck thing too, mine's all twisted and discolored. I was thinking I'd pop the old one out, buy some 1/4 inch ply wood and sketch a replacement, then just wrap it in black vinyl or something, cheaper than buying a real one.

I'm pretty happy with my engine too, I'm not planning on doing any engine upgrades, the car is already fast enough for me, a 5 speed is all I need. When the engine eventually blows, I'll swap in a "roller" FI engine from the early 90's fox body or something, but shes my DD so no crazy engine mods.

Mine is manual everything, steering and brakes (is yours power steering?). I gotta say, the discs worked miracles, pedal is pretty firm but it definitely stops. My steering box has like 1 1/2-2 inches of play on either side of dead center so that's my priority at the moment, hopefully my next check will be large enough...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Corson Currently Coupein' It
09/19/2013 at 16:51

Yeah unfortunately it will need the cut and weld for the floors, there are some decent holes. Not big enough that I'm gonna put a foot through it or anything so it's still driveable and it's definitely NOT my DD so it's not a big deal. I wouldn't have been able to afford the car if it had nice paint/body. I only paid $2500 for the car and the only things I NEEDED to do was replace the thermostat (which I of course did promptly). I could have rebuilt the 2 barrel carb it came with and kept it stock, but when I found a 4 barrel for 25 bucks on craigslist I figured if I'm going to rebuild a carb, why not a fun one? Well since I found a $25 carb I had to find a manifold, so I found one I got for 50 bucks. All I needed was some gaskets and the rebuilt carb and all of a sudden I have a big power upgrade.

I do happen to be lucky enough to have power steering. The Montego is a Cyclone GT Package car. That doesn't mean it's a Cyclone, just that it has a handling package that consisted of power steering and a sway bar lol, power brakes would have been nice to include in that deal if you ask me.... Anyhow I like the way it drives, a bit boaty and it stops pretty fast.

I plan on doing the same thing with the rear deck if that makes you feel any better about it lol.

We kind of did things opposite but have the same goals, you bought with body done and built the driveline, i bought with a finished driveline and made some upgrades but have the body to do. The carpet will be expensive too. I've seen the pre-made molded ones going for 5-600 for it.

Iffy as to whether you want to go that new on the engine because of computer controls. Unless you're stripping it down, though FI would make it a lot more consistent for a DD.

Corson Currently Coupein' It > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2013 at 18:19

Power steering and a sway bar = "handling package" hahaha, classic. Can't believe carpet goes for 5-6 hundred, I guess I lucked out having more aftermarket/oem support for my car. Pre-molded black goes for less than 200 bucks!

I meant that when the engine goes, I'd buy a complete running FI engine as a whole, and just drop it in. Definitely still a big job, but actually not that bad compared to converting an older 289 to FI and roller cam. Plus my block is already bored .04 over so I don't think they can bore the cylinders any more than that, after .05 you start getting close to the water jacket (what I've heard).

Well, it's about time I go to work. Have a nice night, and good luck on the car, keep Oppo posted!