Thread: For all you Mustang Gurus

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I'm just throwing some ideas around in my head here. I was going to rebuild a 302 for my 1975 Mustang, however, I am missing so many parts from my 302 right now (Carb, intake, pushrods, starter, bellhousing, etc.). I do, however, have a complete 410 engine from a late 60s mercury. That is just a 390 block with a 428 crank. I would like to know if I can fit that 390 block into my 75 Stang. As of right now, it has a 2.3L 140 cu. in. engine, and there is plenty of room in there to upgrade. I put a rod through the block on that engine though. I just want another engine in there so I can drive it. What good does a black beauty do me if I can't drive it? Any help here is greatly appreciated, and I'm sure Ill have more questions later too. Thanks in advance for your help. Mikey

The FE won't fit without a lot of major rebuilding on the front suspension towers and firewall. The fe will also need a rear sump pan to clear the front crossmember.

What Dave said except you would need a front sump pan.

As you read this post keep in mind that it is meant to be helpful advice.

You have a nice looking car to start with but in spite of how big the engine compartment looks with the 4 Cyl (and it will look bigger with the engine out) IT IS NOT THAT BIG. Even doing a 351W engine in one of these cars can be a relatively major swap.

For someone with limited engine swapping experience and only having common hand tools wanting to put an engine in these cars on a limited budget only really has 3 alternatives:

Put in a replacement 4 Cyl.

Swap to a 2.8 V6 (not a real power house either)

Swap in a 302 as I outlined in a previous post.

While other engines have been successfully swapped into these cars the amount of work was horribly extensive involving major (expensive) surgery to the car which unless you have access to a full fledged fabrication shop and the ability to use welders, plasma cutters, metal benders etc is going to be prohibitive.

One of the other major consideration on an engine swap on for these cars is weight. While these cars handle reasonably well with a 4 Cyl or even the V6 they become fairly nose heavy with a 302 (basically 60% of the weight on the front and 40% on the rear). Putting a really heavy engine in turns the car into basically a straight line terror that is not really a lot of fun to go around corners in (in addition to the additional work you will be asking the stock 9" rotors to do).

Basically I see a couple of choices for you, if you want to car on the road quick find another 2.3, if you want to go fast start collecting parts for a 302 swap. The down time/cost for doing any other swap often ends up in just an unfinished project.

i saw one a few months back at a car show with a successful swap of a subaru 2.5L WRX STI motor, including the 6speed manual transmission and the all wheel drive... take note that the guy spent almost 2 years doing the swap, and he owns a custom fab shop

I sometimes feel guilty because while some of the other members are saying to "go for it", I am saying I don't think something they are trying to do is a good idea. I am normally a very positive can-do person, but over the years that has been tempered by realizing not every rodder has the equipment or skill to accomplish certain tasks. They may have tons of enthusiasm, but that only gets you so far.

The swap you are talking about here is a major undertaking, and as the other guys are trying to point out, would cause even an experienced shop to have some issues that would be tough to overcome. In my opinion, even the 302 swap would be a stretch for someone who has never done this sort of thing. It will require rounding up the correct pieces (many of them) and the ability to know what is needed to accomplish the end result.

I know we all have to start somewhere, but a good percentage of guys who come in to this with lots of enthusiasm end up discouraged and quitting half way through.

It takes equipment, a big place to do it, and money....more than you can imagine. That is just my opinion and advice.


Don

yup 302 would be a better swap but you're looking at about $3000 just to get the motor where it should be, then theres the car.... it was a 4cyl car so you'll need to upgrade the rearend, transmission, get the right motor mount brackets, right radiator, and many other things.... which will probably total you out at around $5000 on that side of the car too... thats if you're doing this all the right way.... if you're willing to dump about $8000 maybe more, maybe less.... into this car... then go ahead... and dont let it discourage you cause if you think that you probably will get discouraged... then probably not a good idea to start it in the first place.... a coupla places for good parts and info are www.laurelmountainmustang.com and www.jmcmotorsports.com .... if you need advice and tips.. JMC is a very good place to go, they build mustangs all day long in their shop and i know their techs personally.... i reccomend talking to Jeff if possible he's ussually very busy tho... both these places dont really specialize in your car though... most places dont its not a very popular year... but they might be able to help you a bit