I have a 1975 Comet 2 door. It has the inline 6 cylinder 250. I have been toying with the idea of upgrading to a V8, either a 302 or a 289. Any opinions on whether this would be a smart move, change in value? etc
How is your engine running now? If it has no problems and you think it has a enough power for what you want out of your car, then keep it. If you really want to have a V8, then either the 289 or 302 is a good choice. It all comes down basically to what you really want in your car.
Don't look for much in the way of value change. It's more abt a desire for a performance upgrade. With any change there are some comprises to be had, such as, more performance - less space in the engine bay - making under hood access for maintance a greater challenge. It's just a matter of how much of a compromise one is willing to make.
I will probably just drive it around on Sunday afternoons and to car shows, just the usual cruising. The 250 I have now runs ok but it needs a new exhaust manifold which I have found very difficult to find. It also is about as slow as they come and the gas mileage is horrible. (Not unusual for the 70's tho)
horrible gas from that motor means its beyond time for a tune up. maybe even a refresher rebuild. those motors usually get pretty decent gas mileage around 20MPG if youre looking for gas mileage you better not swap to a v8! the bigger the motor the more gas its going to use. if its a cruiser just tune up/ rebuild whats in there you should be happy with the power they make when theyre running good when Im done with my v8 car I want to do a really clean 6 cylinder comet
Others here have said that gas mileage out of a 250 is not that good. The smaller sixes get good mileage (if you can put up with even less pep), and folks that have swapped to V8s have quoted mileage at least as good as 250s, and better performance too. As long as you stay with a relatively tame V8 and don't get crazy with the gearing, you ought to get close to 20 mpg on the highway. Value .... these are probably the least expensive classic car that you can mess with. They don't tend to pull big $$$s like more familiar models. Do what you want with the car to make it the way you want it to be. Most car projects are not money-makers, anyway.
Exhaust manifolds can be bought used. NEW ones are also available from many of the Mustang vendors. How much of the work can you do yourself? Can you afford to pay somebody else to do it for you if you can't do the work. If the 250 is running good, and with your described use....I would keep the 250-6.
I'll break from the pack here... You didn't buy a car that old for gas mileage. I sure didn't. Me, I'd yank that six and install the biggest, nastiest V8 that my skills, engine compartment and budget will allow.
As others have mentioned already.. with your usage model I'd surely just keep what you have if the motor checks out healthy enough. check compression replace exhaust manifold tune up if the engine uses a tad bit of oil?.. just run 2 steps hotter on the plugs. enjoy
