Jeff and Linda began phase two of the Cougar makeover about four years later, upgrading the tired 351 Windsor under the hood. Limited by its two-barrel carb and automatic transmission, the high-mileage V-8 needed to go, and was replaced with a new 351 Windsor crate engine from the Engine Factory in Lebanon, New Jersey.

It pumped an impressive 400 hp to the beefed up AOD transmission. That extra power comes from a Christmas list of aftermarket goodies squeezed into the Windsor that includes hypereutectic 9.5:1 pistons, a nodular cast crank, roller rockers, and an Elgin cam. Breathing was enhanced with Edelbrock Performer aluminum heads, a Performer Air Gap intake manifold, a 650-cfm Thunder series carb, and a K&N air filter. An MSD ignition with a 6AL box lights the fire, while full-length, ceramic-coated Hedman headers dump exhaust gases into a pair of aluminized MagnaFlow mufflers. A Be Cool aluminum radiator keeps coolant temps in the green.

Power without control isn’t much fun, so planting the ponies was the next task. That began with a Global West front suspension package that included tubular control arms, 1-inch lowering springs, and subframe connectors. A Monte Carlo bar was added under the hood and a Scott Drake Mustang lowering kit was adapted to the Cougar rear suspension. A Unisteer rack-and-pinion modernized the turns, while new SSBC front brake rotors guaranteed quick stops, and KYB gas shocks stabilize all four corners. For bulletproof reliability, a Ford 9-inch rear with 4.11 gears was bolted in, along with a Richmond Powertrax Lock-Right Locker to ensure both rear tires light up on command. The upgrades gave new life to the old car, modernized even more two years later with a new Tremec five-speed transmission and a Slick Stik shifter.

The Details
Jeff and Linda Stone’s ’69 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible

Engine
351ci Windsor V-8 built by The Engine Factory
TransmissionTremec T-5Z five-speed manual
Ram Powergrip clutch and steel flywheel

Rearend
Ford 9-Inch with 4.11 gears
Powertrax differential