I have an 86 tbird that has the k member with the BS mounts. My 83 tbird have the mustang style mounts. I have access to a k member out of a 92 V8 mustang vert. Will it just bolt in no problems? Also is the k member the same width as my 86? I will be using mustang fox control arms also. Thanks
The K-member should just bolt in. The cougar/bird uses control arms very similar to the mustang. If you have access to both, why not just measure them to be sure?
I will do that but just wanted to make sure before I dug it out. It will have fox mustang control arms on it also
OK, please just stop guessing.
If folks who install aftermarket Mustang K-members in their Tbirds/Cougars need to at the very least install spacers between the frame rails and the K-member, what would make a stock Mustang K-member any different?
To the OP, please use the search function in the future.
On the control arms, the 83-86 Tbirds use the Fox Mustang length control arms. You will need to verify the width of the control arm mounting points between the two to see what difference there will be since you know the control arms are the same.
I installe dmy aftermarket tubular k member with no spacers....So I am still curious as to where or why spacers were needed. I made a post noone responded to
I did use the search function and that is why I posted the question here, I found nothing on a stock K member
What year car do you have? From my research on this forum I think the spacers were used on the 87-88 T-bird? Could be wrong and yes I'm just guessing.
TED
From what I've read here and on the corral, (yeah, mustangs, blah)
SOME, NOT ALL cars need spacers...can't imagine a stock stang k-member being any different.
You gotta remember, a 25 year old car is most likely not exactly square in the front. ;)
To the OP...if you're swapping just for the mounts, that's a lot of work when there's a user here who makes custom mounts, that bypass the V8 bracket and are a shiznit-ton stronger than stock.
I've got a set on mine, they're way better than stock.
Look in the vendor's section for type 6 mounts ;)
This way you can still keep your k, and the correct length, ie, better, control arms while having tough mounts.
I have an 87....And swapped for mounts back when noone was making custom mounts...I guess I did it in 95 or so..That and clearence for my turbo kit. I am just wondering what the issue was that you needed shims..Maybe I do need them..But I have no idea for what!
The distance (vertical) between the upper and lower mounts (where it attaches to the car) on the K-members is different.
I will need to check..I had my car this way for over 10 years
I'm in search of an old style K myself. Coworker is selling his '85 Cougar, and I may get it just to swap K's with my '88 Tbird, and use the type 6 mounts in the Cougar with the 5.0 (and someday HO swap). Then daily drive it. :)
Anywho, the idea here is twofold. 1: Type 6 mounts are the cats ass. and 2: be aware of the possible need of spacers.
thanks guys, I was tinking of swapping since the car is tore down.
If you guys are just looking to swap k-members due to the difference in motor mounts; you COULD just get in contact with a certain member on this board who makes them for the 86-up cars.
I used to tear the factory mounts in half new not to mention mangeling the brackets...Fun times
IMO, keeping the current K-member and getting Chuck's type 6 mounts is the better way to go. The 86.5-88 front suspension allows more travel and stability than the older version.
I'm going with an oddball engine and have Mustang swap headers that require the clearance of the stang style K-member. I also have the type 6 mounts, but will use them with the Tbird K-member if and when I get another car....preferably an early 80's Capri, but will settle on just about anything that it will fit under. Doing a swap in my case kills two birds (no pun intended) with one stone.