Ford Class Racers

[Rose Racing]

Hi im planning out a 1970 or 1971 Torino Stocker and im thinking about what Ford engine would work best and what do you run in your Ford Stocker or Super Stocker and what would be the best bang for the buck?I keep thinking 351 Cleveland and what Tranny do you run and what works best?I keep thinking clutchless Liberty or plain Automatic?Im sure some Ford guys on here would enjoy discussing this or atleast im hoping you enjoy this topic? THANK YOU anyways

[Rory McNeil]

I`m not sure if the Torinos were the same, but in the Mustangs, the 70s had to use the autolite 4300 carb, while 71 & up were able to use the aluminum intake and Holley 780. The 70 also had a smaller cam, so if you do chose a Cleveland, you may want to find a 71 grille. I always thought that the 429s were rated kinda high, but I believe they had some HP taken off not too long ago. I`m a stick guy, but those Torinos are pretty heavy.......

[Ken Miele]

If you can get NHRA to correct the Stock Car Classification Guide, the 429/375 rated at 360 would be a very good combo. It would a natural E car if you claim it as a Cobra Torino. The Problem is they don’t show the 375 engine. Having owned two of these cars, I know they came with the 429/375. What makes this a better engine than the 370 is the 375 gets a solid cam and 780 Holley. If you can get NHRA to correct the guide it would be an easy 8 under combo. The 71 Mustang with a 429/375 is rated at 360. This engine was available in all Torino’s, Mustangs, Montego’s and Cougar’s in 1971.

[Rose Racing]

Well im also considering Super Stock by the way if anything in Super Stock would be easier?

[Bob Pagano]

Forget SS unless you own a bank, Stocker's are enough of an expense to build. SS is over the top. Much cheaper to buy a car than build as you will soon find out.

[69Cobra]

Originally Posted by Bob Pagano

Forget SS unless you own a bank, Stocker's are enough of an expense to build. SS is over the top. Much cheaper to buy a car than build as you will soon find out.

^^^^^What he said^^^^^
In my humble opinion. If you aren't emotionally attached and haven't really invested anything in the ride you have you might be better off to find a later model Mustang and go SS/GT with one of the new pushrod paper motors. To me that would be the easiest and most affordable way of getting out there. But either way I would go with a stick if you want to have fun and enjoy the time going down the track. Now if your wife, girlfriend or daughter is going to be driving it then I would recommend the automatic. I'm in the process of building a 69 Fairlane Cobra 428 CJ 4 speed car to run stock with and these old cars are not the best avenue for a top notch competitive car against todays newer stuff. If this car didn't mean so much to me and my family I would definitely look into something else that the aftermarket supports and that would have a strut front end with a shorter wheelbase and more aerodynamic. Something to think about. But I do like the 70 and 71 Torino's. I race in a local Stick shift circuit with a friend of mine that runs a 70 1/2 Falcon which is the same thing as the Torino and he's got it working pretty good but these old cars are tricky and challenging at times.

Best of luck to you.

[astikhossw]

What i did just this year was sold my 1969 mustang cj car and bought a ford stocker,and once i found out all of the things that were needed to to get this car to run like it does i am glad that i bought a car rather than trying to build one, the car's that run way under the index or really complicated and expensive.

[Rose Racing]

Originally Posted by 69Cobra

^^^^^What he said^^^^^
In my humble opinion. If you aren't emotionally attached and haven't really invested anything in the ride you have you might be better off to find a later model Mustang and go SS/GT with one of the new pushrod paper motors. To me that would be the easiest and most affordable way of getting out there. But either way I would go with a stick if you want to have fun and enjoy the time going down the track. Now if your wife, girlfriend or daughter is going to be driving it then I would recommend the automatic. I'm in the process of building a 69 Fairlane Cobra 428 CJ 4 speed car to run stock with and these old cars are not the best avenue for a top notch competitive car against todays newer stuff. If this car didn't mean so much to me and my family I would definitely look into something else that the aftermarket supports and that would have a strut front end with a shorter wheelbase and more aerodynamic. Something to think about. But I do like the 70 and 71 Torino's. I race in a local Stick shift circuit with a friend of mine that runs a 70 1/2 Falcon which is the same thing as the Torino and he's got it working pretty good but these old cars are tricky and challenging at times.

Best of luck to you.

thank you I am running a bracket 72 Pinto that runs 10.0s right now I do not just wanna run Stock I wanna do it in a fun exciting way and im not really all that concerned about being top dog or being competitive as I simply wanna have fun and running a new mustang isnt very fun or exciting for me but running a kool old school Ford Torino that you dont see everyday would be very much fun for me and half the fun for me is building the car and tinkering figuring out what works and what doesnt I already have a car that works and works very well as we bought the Pinto complete and I would build the Torino to tinker with and mess around with and run divisional and local events as I refuse to run .90 classes I hate delay boxes.

[69Cobra]

Originally Posted by Rose Racing

thank you I am running a bracket 72 Pinto that runs 10.0s right now I do not just wanna run Stock I wanna do it in a fun exciting way and im not really all that concerned about being top dog or being competitive as I simply wanna have fun and running a new mustang isnt very fun or exciting for me but running a kool old school Ford Torino that you dont see everyday would be very much fun for me and half the fun for me is building the car and tinkering figuring out what works and what doesnt I already have a car that works and works very well as we bought the Pinto complete and I would build the Torino to tinker with and mess around with and run divisional and local events as I refuse to run .90 classes I hate delay boxes.

I can respect that. Do you already have the car? Where are you located?

[Rose Racing]

Originally Posted by 69Cobra

I can respect that. Do you already have the car? Where are you located?

No not yet right now im focused on my Pinto but im looking for a Torino at a descent price at the moment and Sandusky Ohio