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Thank you, she's a beauty...

Do you actually have to have A GT500 or just the look of one? Because it would a lot be a lot cheaper to recreate the looks of one. And if you don't open the hood, nobody will know, except you of course😄

    Roy

Not a chance! Real deal or not at all...

LOL, got one!

Looking at buying a 69/70 GT500. What I want to know is what would be good improvements/upgrades to the car, especially handling, ride and horsepower. I am not looking for a concours level car, so restoration is not my goal. I want the "look" of the 69, but with any improvements that can be made without completely wrecking the car. Things like shocks, stance, coaxing more HP out of the motor. Thoughts? Suggestions?

If you do end up with a GT500

Take a look at "this guys" post when you have an opportunity. 

https://www.saac.com/forum/index.php?topic=31570.0

Thank you!!!

A GT350 would be a better candidate even if you intend to do a serious lightening of the 428 engine in a GT500.

You can fairly easily increase the CI displacement of the 351 to near that of the stock 428 and in addition lighten that engine with things like aluminum heads.

It all depends on how deep you want to go to re-engineer the car?

Virtually everything is available. 6 speed manual transmissions. 8 speed automatic transmissions. Aluminum 9" rears. Aluminum engine blocks, multiple carb of EFI induction, etc, and they all can be kept to look reasonably stock in most cases.


The 428 performance wise is kind of a dinosaur stock at a max HP level now whereas the 351's are not.


Chassis wise, as suggested, the Off Highway Boss 302 Chassis book is a very good guide as well.


I would recommend though that you do not throw anything away that you take off of the car. Virtually all of these modifications are essentially "day 2" bolt ons and replacing original stock parts now can be difficult, expensive and in some cases virtually impossible.

GT500 is my bucket list car. MUST be a 500.

Big block Mustangs are notoriously difficult to live with in hot climates. I think well deserved.

In the Mustang chassis, the engine just takes up too much of the engine compartment for it to cool well.

Hot restarts often are not possible.


I understand your passion. I have it too. I currently have a 67 GT500, a '68 GT350 and a '73 Pantera. The only one that is close to "stock" is the '67. That one, you don't screw with. You just pray that it starts and runs and then leave it alone. Personally, I can't immagine it (or any of the 3) in Vegas summer heat, but that's just me.

I take exception to the glue on my sneakers melting from the heat of the pavement.


And as a previous poster mentioned, Holley's don't like the heat either.


Best of luck in your endeavor. It will be quite a challenging experiment.

Thank you. Living in Vegas presents it's own set of challenges.

A GT350 would be a better candidate even if you intend to do a serious lightening of the 428 engine in a GT500.

You can fairly easily increase the CI displacement of the 351 to near that of the stock 428 and in addition lighten that engine with things like aluminum heads.

It all depends on how deep you want to go to re-engineer the car?

Virtually everything is available. 6 speed manual transmissions. 8 speed automatic transmissions. Aluminum 9" rears. Aluminum engine blocks, multiple carb of EFI induction, etc, and they all can be kept to look reasonably stock in most cases.


The 428 performance wise is kind of a dinosaur stock at a max HP level now whereas the 351's are not.


Chassis wise, as suggested, the Off Highway Boss 302 Chassis book is a very good guide as well.


I would recommend though that you do not throw anything away that you take off of the car. Virtually all of these modifications are essentially "day 2" bolt ons and replacing original stock parts now can be difficult, expensive and in some cases virtually impossible.

GT500 is my bucket list car. MUST be a 500.

[/quote]are you planning on working on it yourself? I've owned many 428cars over the years and I've learned the tricks to work on them and they still are a pita. Good luck on your search.
[/quote]

Not a chance. My skills are washing and waxing...

I'd add to the advice already given to check if the FE block in the car you are considering has been overbored to .030 or not.  If it has, there are lower chances the car's cooling system will cool the engine very well.  If I ever bought another big block, I would want a standard bore block, and have 8 sleeves installed instead of boring it.

I'd personally buy a GT350 and buy a stroker crank to make it 408 or 427 CID and 550HP reliable horsepower.  There's a guy out in Indiana with a yellow '69 GT350 that built a really nice, tastefully modified car.  I don't remember his name, but he would be a good person to contact. 

Got to be a 500, it's a psychological issue...

Wouldn't hurt to consult the Boss 302 chassis modification book. Reprints are available.

Thank you, interesting advice...

Forgot to mention we had a mellings oil pump installed at the time, new springs on the heads compatible with the crane cam and purchased new Ford stock non-adjustable arms and shafts. 

Why stock arms over aftermarket?

Easy peasy

No problems on putting the original valve covers back on and bolt the stock parts down and forget about it.

Now go enjoy the drive !

Thank you!

Looking for a RED 69/70 GT500 hardtop. Needs to be a clean, solid reliable driver. Doesn't need to be perfect, not looking for concours level restoration, but I'm not looking for a project. Got to be red. I'm located in Las Vegas. I also own a near perfect condition, super low miles 2020 GT350 that COULD be part of a deal. (Maybe) Hit me up...

Excellent question and a very wise decision to enjoy your car

We first went through the engine with a stock rebuild bearings rungs etc. and valve job.

Only change was that we bought a crane "fireball" cam and lifters from a friend who had acquired it before they moved from Hallandale Fl in the 1980s.

Living in Floridaland it gets warm down here, we added another row to the stock radiator.  Really does not go over 180 degrees day or night.

Went through the complete front end with all new components ball joints, bushings, new bearings and seals.

Used neoprene energy suspension  components on the sway bar links and sway bar bushings.

Tires was a hard decision go with the stock reproductions and join the frufru-squad or go with new age radials a bit wider than stock.

We went with the BF Goodrich tires.

Great grip and ride.

Installed KYB schocks, I think we got the firmest possible.

Dropped the suspension close to two inches.

All these suspension mods made a significant difference in its handling.

As far as brakes we opted to stay stock, rebuilt calipers, rear wheel cylinders, master, did go with all new brake hoses and added stainless steel brake lines all around.

Fuel system stayed with the Holley and stock fuel pump.

Purchased new stainless steel fuel lines and replaced all the gas rubber components.

Ignition stayed stock with the exception of a h.d. brass cap, rotor, addition of a petronix unit and coil.

Exhaust stayed stock exhaust manifolds, but took it to a local muffler shop, had them go back from the h pipe and ran two individual maganaflow mufflers back like the Boss 302 cars, still exits through the shelby rear center port.

You look at the car and it looks stock, the exhaust sounds a bit deeper and handles  tight with the old boat anchor 428 up front.

Well that's all we have for now and best of luck on your endeavors

That is a great list! Adding all that to my "Maybe To Do" list. Thanks!

First off if I was looking for what you are I'd buy a Gt350 4 speed. They are cheaper than a 500 and gives you more $$$ for upgrades. Why a 350? well you mentioned handling. Better handling cars to start with. MUCH easier to work on. I own a 68 Gt500, a 69 Mach1 R code and a 70 Gt350 vert. So take you savings and buy a Paxton and a Holley on the 351W and you have your horsepower. Want more? well there are nice aluminum heads to choose from. Add a 5 speed. Lots of suspension upgrades available to choose from. to buy a 500 and modify it for "handling and power" when you will always have a more balanced car with the Gt350 and adding the Paxton could give you the power you need might be a way for you to go. Also with the price difference you might even get yourself a nice crate engine to start with if you want more plug and play and keep the original engine off to the side. Good luck on your endeavor. 

Thank you. Psychologically, I need a GT500. I currently own a 2020 GT350, possibly the best Mustang ever built.

Having owned a 69 Big Block, I can offer some areas that I focused on:

Engine health - Especially in Vegas, cooling system 100%
Engine mods - I did a cam upgrade to make it a little happier mid-range. Headers and better exhaust, but still stock-ish. Maybe look into the throttle-body EFI so no vapor-locking and better running? Hides under the air cleaner for a good look.
Brakes - YES!!!! Best you can put inside the `15" wheels
Better shocks and sway bar connections. Connect it better to the road.
Front suspension & steering - New & Tight!

Thanks!!

Brian,  depends on how you intend on using the car and what objectives are. My 70 GT500 was my daily driver for 7 years. 

As a former dealership mechanic, i'll say living with a 69/70 GT500 is a challenge. 

Do you intend to drive long distances,  urban driving,  drag race, parades, cars/coffee, or what.  Hot weather or not

Before anything,  cooling system, brakes, tires, fuel hoses and front suspension need to be verified and optimized.

Next tune quality (carb, timing).

Then mods can be considered and will depend on budget, tastes, intended use, etc.  mild to wild

Yes, this is an understatement.

The entire history of modifications is available and that fills volumes.

As Commander Scott once said, "you remind me of the man who demanded to be taught the knowledge of the world while standing on one foot".

Where to begin? Pick a spot but someone needs to set some limits.

"Limits"?