12th Oct 2006, 10:51
I have a '76 with only 34k original miles--very nice. It has the 351 Windsor which I really like because it's just a longer stroke version of the 302--4 1/2x3 vs. 4x3, I believe. Power is good with better economy than the 'M'engine or the 400. The only major thing I've done is replace the steering box, which had a lot of play for some reason.
26th Dec 2006, 14:18
Own a 76 MErcury Cougar XR7, belonged to late husband. Looking for restoration info, may possibly even sell if price is right. emerald52061@yahoo.com.
20th Feb 2007, 11:33
The 351c was dropped in late 75 and the 400 took up its place as the H code for 75 and 76.
2nd Apr 2007, 14:40
The last review was wrong. I owned a '76 Cougar and it did have a 351 Windsor. That was the base engine offered.
29th Apr 2007, 19:49
To the last poster If you reread my post It says 351c not 351w. Been awhile since I been on.
1st May 2007, 12:42
I just got my hands on a 76 XR7 it came from the fac with a 460. Just trying to find out more about these cars. Will headers off a Torino work with these or I am I still going to make a set??? Anyone know where to find info on these cars or a VIN checker that goes back that far??
14th Jun 2007, 21:53
Yes, the 74-76 Torino headers will work. They are pretty much the same car as the Cougar under the skin. If any more info is needed, look up a guy on mercurycougar.net called slim chance. He is has a lot of knowledge on the 74-76 Cougars. He also has posted on here.
6th Oct 2007, 16:41
1974 Cougar definitely available with the 400 from the factory. Had to be Fords worst and most gutless engine, as I blew 2 of them, couldn't take the punishment of a 19 year old. I loved that car and am still fond of them, but that 400 put me off Fords for many years. Wouldn't mind finding a pristine example, but would have to be a 460.
3rd Jan 2008, 23:26
I ordered a triple black 76 xr7 late may of 76. At that time the only engines available where a 302,351w or a 460. I went with a 351w
12th Jan 2008, 05:54
There seems to be a lot of conflicting information from different people on here about what engines were available for Cougars during the years from 1974-76. I don't claim to know what all the available options during these years, all I can say is what I know from the Cougars that I own. I suppose I'm a bit of an addict, ha ha
I own a 1974 Mercury Cougar XR7, a 1975 Cougar XR7 that has a rare hood with factory scoops off of a 1972 Montego GT, and I just purchased a 1976 Cougar XR7. It's neat to see the little differences in them. My 1974 cougar has the 351 Cleveland, my 1975 Cougar has the 400 cid, and my 1976 has the 351 Modified.
I must say that the 351 Cleveland, even being in desperate need of a rebuild, still out performs the 400 and the 351 M.
Anyways, I just thought I'd add my two bits and let you folks know what I've got under the hoods of my Cougars.
8th Feb 2008, 23:14
Hey Frank,
Thanks for the response. I'll have to dig up some pictures of my Cougar with the Montego GT hood on it and email them to you. I am eventually going to put that hood onto my most recent purchase, a 1976 Mercury Cougar XR7, but I'll have to squirrel some nickels and dimes away first so I can afford the paint job. Take care.
Chris.
27th Feb 2008, 19:37
So with all you knowledgeable Cougar owners gathered, this seems a great place to ask...
I have one sitting in my driveway, that we bought new in 1976. It has less than 84,000 miles on it, came with a 400m/180 hp; air; "S" group package; and goes very fast (according to my 21 year old who used to occasionally drive it).
NADA prices it out at $3,589 as lowest resale... this one has all matching numbers and has remained in the family all these years so we DO know the car. Right now it has a bad distributor, and needs some work to make it run and pretty again. The engine is great and it's brown with gold metal flake.
So where do you even start pricing something like this? We're considering parting with it, but want to be sensible in our expectations while not getting ripped off completely.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Tink@centurytel.net
14th Mar 2008, 22:10
My favorite car ever was my 1976 Cougar. I've had 4 Cougars so far and that one was still the best of all my cars. Does anyone know of one for sale in good condition? Thank you! okcduncan@yahoo.com.
7th Dec 2009, 23:08
What a bunch of proud Cougar owners there are here, me included.
I own 3 of these beautiful cars; a 74, 75, 76.
The 74 is an all original numbers matching car with a 400 and not the 351m/400 group.
The 76 came factory with the 351m.
Then the 75 was a dream catch while helping a friend of a friend; saw the old girl sitting with no hood busted windshield and what looked like a brand new engine 351c under the weeds and dust.
Long story short, if I could make her run there she was mine. I drove it the 15 mile home, changed the fluids and after 8 years she's back to her fine splendor as a summer driver. I love my Mercury!!
12th Jan 2010, 14:09
I own a 76 Cougar XR7. I made into a police car, it came stock with a 400. I also had a 78 Cougar with a 351c stock with build sheets in the owners manual. The motors that were available were in those years 302, 351w, 351c, 390, 400, 429, and the 460.
28th Jan 2010, 13:00
I owned a 1974 Cougar, White on white, with white bucket seats and a blue dash. It was the first new car I bought. I ordered the car equipped as I wanted it. I remember the engines available were the 351, 400 and the 460. I had the 400.
15th Jun 2010, 16:40
I have a 1976 Mercury Cougar with 30,000 miles on it. Somebody backed into it, and now I need a passenger fender, bumper, and headlight assembly. If any one knows or has parts, please email me at snafucorp@gmail.com. I can sure use the help.
21st Sep 2010, 12:58
I have 76 Cougar with 351w, garage kept, 1 owner before me. The interior is excellent only 80,000 miles. I redid the entire fuel system, which was all it took to make her purr. I am doing a paint job, the estimate was $5,000 for paint and $800 for a new top. Does this sound about right?
15th Apr 2005, 22:40
On your comment on engine sizes in 74-76. I owned a 74 Cougar back in the late 70's that had its original 400. I liked it so much I now have a fully loaded 76 with a 460.