v8 capri - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

73gscoupe · 11-07-2004, 01:50

Hey all, does anyone here have a V8 capri? I was looking for another project and a 1970's capri has been in the back of my mind for some time now. I have a few parts lying around (9 inch diff, warm 351 clevo and c series auto) and was looking for something to put them into. Id like to hear from people that have done this sort of conversion or know details of, in particular:

Will the clevo fit? what mods would be needed? If not, then I beleive the windsor goes in pretty easy?

Will the trans tunnel take a C series auto? I have heard of some people enlarging the tunnel to make the install easier?

Brake urgrades, need or not, and whats available?

BlownV8 · 11-08-2004, 14:20

73GSCOUPE, the Capri is a good candidate for a v8. I have a 1970 GT capri, and am putting a Lexus 4.0L Quad Cam in it. One thing you will need to check is with your local registry authority. A lot of the rules have just changed as to what engine you can put in what car. If you were in NSW, you can not put a 351 in a capri, too big in the weight Vs Capicity equation. Check your local rules first to see what you can do.

Once you have the crap sorted out, the fun begins.
A 351 clevo will fit in a capri. It will go in without any modifications to engine bay, but will sit forward of the cross member a little. You will have to get creative with engine mounts. A windsor is a much easier conversion. Castlemaine rod shop do a conversion kit for the windsor into a capri. Has new chassis rails, rear tie bar, gearbox cross member, tail shaft loop, cross member strengthning kit, stub axle adapter kit for bigger front discs. You choose between falcon or P76. I get the p76 kit, much easier to fit, and sits the front wheels furthur in board. Much nicer looking job. Kit also includes adapters to use HQ girlock callipers, and engine mounts to bold a windsor straight in.

As for the trans tunnel, it will depend on what capri you get. Some of the early mark 1's had there trans tunnels heat shrunk to fit around the trans better. This was more the case in the manuals than the autos, as it is a much smaller box. In most cases a ford C series trans will fit quite nicely in the trans tunnel. The only problem you will have is that you will need to kit the engine and gearbox as one for your final install, as the top trans bolts are almost impossible to get too once the engine is in the engine bay. If you want to modify your heater box location, and open up the trans tunnewl a little, this will give you more clearance around the back of the engine for getting the trans in and out.

With the brakes, the fronts are sorted out with the Rod shop rail kit. Rear brakes are you call, either disc or Drum. I am running a hilux diff in my capri, and the std drums on it, and it will pass for rego in NSW. You will need to upgrade your master cylinder, and probably add a remote vacuum booster, similar to what minis, XT falcons, and Early valiants run. Most common is a PBR VH44. You can find them in australia in the net, just need to hunt around a little.

Thats about it for driveline/brakes. Lots of other little things you can do thou. Mini tubs, move rear suspension inboard. With std spring location, you will not get much bigger that a 225 tyre under the back of the car, without largely flaring the guards, or adding A9X flares or similar.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask, i am not an expert by any means, but have been playing with capris for some years now, and have had most troubles with my own conversion.

Good luck with the project.

Blown V8

buickman · 11-13-2004, 04:44

How did the set up of your hand brake cable go with the Hi lux diff. The 9 inch is a real hassel.
buickman

jasonburns · 11-14-2004, 06:21

how much have u spent on your conversion and resto all up

BlownV8 · 11-14-2004, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by buickman

How did the set up of your hand brake cable go with the Hi lux diff. The 9 inch is a real hassel.
buickman

Buickman, haven't had the fun of getting that problem sorted out yet. Should not be too much trouble thou. The model diff i have has 1 handbrake cable per drum. So i can just run the 2 cables up the trans tunnel, put a T bar on the end, then get a short cable to go from the std lever to the new T piece.
Sounds easy in theory, will have to see how i go in practise.

BlownV8 · 11-14-2004, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonburns

how much have u spent on your conversion and resto all up

Thus far I have spent about 6K, and that has me a completely rust free shell, with mini tubs, diff, engine, trans, full brake system, chassis kit, seats, shifter, tail shaft, and fuel cell, and fuel pumps.

Once i have this stage put together i should be able to start the car and drive it. Wont have windows, front quarters or any lighting system, but it could be driven.

Biggest thing about rebuilding any car of this era, is getting a good one to start with. If you have to buy a rusty sh*t box and spend heaps on body work then the cost of the whole project blows up in your face. If your lucky and find a good rust free and straight car to begin with, your half way there.

ClevoCapri · 11-22-2004, 03:52

How ya goin. Clevo's slip in a treat. For more room for tall rocker covers I used a early gemini brake booster and modified the push rod, easy job.
I have used charger hand brake cables, thats with a 9 inch with xe drums. Front brakes are xe discs with a hq caliper. The only tunnel mods i needed to do to fit a c4 was flaten out the lip that joins the firewall to the underbody sheetmetal. My capri was originaly a manual. Bob Pinnel has very good conversion parts, i have heard from people that have delt with castlemain rod shop that there brake conversion wasnt very profesional. Just what I heard. A wb radiator core is a good width to start with. Just get hose outlets to suit. Any other questions feel free to ask.

jasonburns · 11-22-2004, 20:02

who is Bob Pinnel what does he do

ClevoCapri · 11-23-2004, 03:30

Bob Pinnel specializes in v8 conversion kits for Capri's, Cortina's and even volvo's. He can supply brake kits, engine mount adaptors, trans mounts sumps. Whatever you need. He is in Qld but postage isnt that much. His contact number last time i spoke to him was 754485557. Hes also very helpful when you have any qustions.

buickman · 11-23-2004, 04:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevoCapri

Bob Pinnel specializes in v8 conversion kits for Capri's, Cortina's and even volvo's. He can supply brake kits, engine mount adaptors, trans mounts sumps. Whatever you need. He is in Qld but postage isnt that much. His contact number last time i spoke to him was 754485557. Hes also very helpful when you have any qustions.

Hey I think he did V8 conversions on XP falcons for a ford dealership in sydney back in the 60's. Might have been a relative, I read years ago a Sydney ford dealer sold some XP falcons fitted with 289 V8,s. Well before engineers certifactes were required and only that dealership undertook the 12 months warranty on the cars as ford would have nothing to do with it. I'am pretty sure that was the name that I read in the artical. Hadfields kits are strong enough but every kit I've got from him you have to modify to fit.

buickman