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New with a 72

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andyjman83 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 21-September-2014 at 7:53PM
Hey guys,
My names Andy. I just got acquired the car that I have had my eye on since high school. I was given a 72 ranchero GT by my friends dad. I have been interested in this car since the day I laid eyes on it.  I know shes not much to look at now, because of the neglect, but I plan on giving her a full restoration. It has a 351 cleveland, but its not the original engine. The original motor blew a few years ago, and he has it in storage, but im going to rebuild it and have it as a spare. I decoded the vin, and apparently its only the 2v motor, even though I was under the impression that it was the 4v, but either way, its ok. It was sitting in a driveway for 3 years, and the gas had gone bad, so I drained as much as I could out of it, added fresh 91, and some carb cleaner, and stuck a new battery in, and she fired up after I filled the float bowls. I was able to load her on a trailer to be towed to my house, and she ran well enough to get into my driveway, but I thought that it was fitting that it be towed by my ford diesel instead of another brand truck lol. Im trying to find out some additional info about the car. I got the info off of the sticker on the body to try and figure out what transmission is in it, but I havent been able to find any info. The tranny code is "N", and the axle code is 6. I read the that means that it has a 3.00 axle ratio with some sort of locker, but im not sure if its a c4 or c6. I was under the impression the c6 was a code "U" but im not sure. If someone could help me with the vin, itdd be great. The vin is  2A48H267927.
 
I also am curious about an engine swap. I started a thread on 460ford regarding a big block engine swap, but I wanted to post on here as well to see if anyone here has done it and if they thought it was worth it. Im probably going to build a 521 stroker if I end up doing the swap. Id love to have a nice looking ranchy that hauls quite a bit of butt. I know the little cleveland is a great motor, but I dont know if my goal of 500-600hp is possible with one. What do yall think?
I also know that I will need bigger brakes, new coil springs, new mounts, etc, so itll be a project.
 
This is my first "old" car project. I learned engines kinda backwards to how the normal process goes. I started out building overhead cam modular 4.6 and 5.4 mustang engines, and I was a 7.3 and 6.0 diesel specialist when I worked for ford, but this is my first ford pushrod engine. I did build a big block chevy for my old jet boat, but that was for a boat.
 
I appreciate any info guys.
Please be kind, i know shes not the best to look at
Thanks,
Andy
 
 
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unlovedford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote unlovedford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-September-2014 at 4:55AM
Welcome and love the Ranchero GT!
Joe
1972 Mom's Squire Wagon
1972 Torino Wagon
1976 Torino       
1968 Cougar XR7-First batch
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GTW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-September-2014 at 5:41AM
2 - 1972 model year
A - Atlanta build 
48 - Ranchero GT body
H - 351-2V engine (Could've been a Windsor or Cleveland - they shared the same code)
267927 - production sequence number

Welcome to GTS.org.

Trans code U is correct for a C6. X would be a FMX, and W would be a C4. Manual transmissions were number codes instead of letters. There is an engine code N (429-4V), but no transmission code.


Edited by GTW - 22-September-2014 at 5:52AM
Griffin
1973 Gran Torino station wagon
1972 Gran Torino 4 Door
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kychevyguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-September-2014 at 5:47AM
Originally posted by andyjman83 andyjman83 wrote:

...  I know shes not much to look at now, because of the neglect... Please be kind, i know shes not the best to look at ...
 
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and even if she looks a little rough right now, she still looks beautiful to me. Don't worry so much about how she appears at the moment, just show her some love.
 
If the original engine was the 351 2V (H code,) you probably have the C4 or FMX trans. Somebody on here should be able to decode that.
 
Welcome Andy, and keep us posted on your progress.
JT, USAF Ret./Architect
1971 Ford F100 "Lizzy"
1971 Cougar XR7 "Kitty"
1984 Chevy Silverado "Sylvia"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote californiajohnny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-September-2014 at 1:17PM
welcome! that don't look bad at all! a lot better than mine was! where you at in so cal?
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote andyjman83 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-September-2014 at 2:33PM
It was living its wholelife here in socal.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72 RS 351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-September-2014 at 3:49PM
Welcome Andy, and congrats on getting the car you were eying for so long. It looks good for a beginning, and much better than where I left mine when I parked it and forgot about it.

You have been lucky to learn about the newer technology of engines. That should help you to envision what can be done to help the older engines.

BTW, you said you worked on a BBC, you need to see an actual Cleveland head in person. You need to see the 4 barrel intake ports, and the 2.19" valves. Most Chevy guys are surprised to see the small block Cleveland and it's ports  and valves the same size as any BBC.

You can make tons of power with a Cleveland head, even 500+ HP with the right custom camshaft, intake, CI and build quality. The 460-521 can be a hair cheaper depending on what level of heads/intake/cam/lifters etc, but before you give up on the Cleveland, call Woody at FordStrokers.com.

Ask Woody what it would cost for a Clevor built with one of his strokers(408-427 etc), and well built closed chamber 4bbl Cleveland heads. I bet his estimate for power will be well over 500hp. Their stroker 351W based short blocks start at $3k now, they raised their prices a while back, and they are still a bargain given the quality.

I'm going to stick with a Cleveland head because I grew up with it, in my first car(72 GT), and I love the flat topped valve covers. I will be happy with what I end up with from a 3.4" stoked 302 and CHI 3V Cleveland heads. But those heads and intake required run about $3k alone. Have fun with it no matter how you do it. Regards,
Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote legend onirot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-September-2014 at 4:39PM
welcome andy, 

 and keep the posts, updates, and pics coming.  i think the car is gorgeous.  and its awesome that you were patient and got the car you want.
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malcolm
1973 gran torino sport (formal)... "Stacy Lynn"
1972 gran torino (formal)... "Mackenzie"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 67gt5003119 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-September-2014 at 5:21PM
That is a cool lookin ranchero! Far better than what I am starting with. I say go with a stroked cleveland. Great power can be coaxed from a good build. Welcome!
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75ranchero460 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 75ranchero460 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24-September-2014 at 2:57PM
Welcome!
Gary

Ranchero=Fun

1975 Ranchero GT 460

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ranchero Fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24-September-2014 at 3:02PM
Belated welcome from another Ranchero owner
Brian   1973 Ford Ranchero Big Block. ''THE OTHER WOMAN''
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote antlerfiend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-September-2014 at 8:04AM
Welcome to the site Andy.
Alex
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Bird Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-September-2014 at 1:17PM
Welcome aboard the board!
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy
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