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

 

 

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.

 

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.

 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.