Hello everyone, my name is Steve. I am a long time dreamer of owning
a cherried out muscle car. I have never owned one myself but have
had friends who have. My best friend in high school, I am 35 now,
let me drive his beat up old 65 mustang. The body was pretty rough,
but it would jump the front tires off the ground in first gear when
you slammed the gas down hard in first. Needless to say, I was
hooked, but never could afford one of my own. Until now... my father
bought my mother a 65 barracuda brand new for her engagement present
in 1965. I believe my father told me that the cylinders were burned
out in it, but whatever the reason it hasnt run since the late 70's.
It has been sitting in my fathers barn ever since. At age 18 my
mother wanted to know what I wanted for my birthday. I told her
every year from then until I turned 25 that all I wanted was that
car someday. I own it now, but still aint rich enough to trick it
out, except a piece at a time. It is all original,
has about 50,000 original miles on it, but has old faded paint, and
decomposing interior. Pretty much rust free, except for a couple of
dime size rust throughs near the rear fender wells.

I would love to see this car brought back from the dead, and made
into a bonafide head turner. I just love that fastback window and
the viscious stance the car has when raised in the rear by slightly
oversized tires. I have a couple of questions though that hopefully
some of you can answer for me. I want to try and redo this car as
kind of a father son project, I dont care if its original or not. I
really kind of want a pro-street racing sort of look for the car.

So here's the scoop. It has a (i believe) 273 V8, possibly cylinders
burnt out, that doesnt run. Hasnt turned over in nearly three
decades. Would it even be worth trying to save the motor? In other
words, would this thing give me the kind of tire smoking, ground
shaking, beautiful engine lope noise I am looking for if I took it
out and had a machine shop go through it and rebuild it? Or would I
be better off just starting over with a larger, allready running
motor?

My second question is kind of tied to the first one. Will engines
from other vehicles, makes, models, manufacturers besides the
valiant, which the cuda was based on, able to swap out without
modifying the motor mounts and changing out the tranny, etc...
etc.... Anybody know what the biggest motor size that will fit into
this car is? 360, 380, 440???

I am sure 440's are extremely hard to come by now, but it was worth
an attempt anyway. I know little to nothing about interchangeability
of parts for vehicles, so any help/advice would be greatly
appreciated. Plus, I want to do this right, not just throw stuff
together half ass.

Well any help anyone has would be greatly appreciated, thank you in
advance.

p.s. if I told you what my real name
you wouldnt believe me, call me a liar,
and swear there is no way, but its true.

Steve