Thread: how to go about putting a 351W into a 1955 Ford???

Tweet

I was planning on buying a fox body mustang and putting my 351 into it but then I ran across this '55 Ford in Illinois that has no engine and no trans, and the car is sweet looking so I thought about it and I would rather have the '55 than a stang, but what would I have to do to put my 351W and a C4 into it and have it work??
anybody done this before??

thanks,

Tyler

cut driveshaft, redone motor mounts abd a few other things.

how about the trans crossmember??
and how much of the driveshaft would have to be cut? could I just get a new one?? or are the u joints different and new driveshafts not interchangeable?

thanks

Tyler

You have to measure your shaft to the length because, I do not know, trans x member would probably have to be redone. You can chop and weld new u joints to make them work if there diffrent ( i don't think they are though ). You could get new but it will cost ya about 400.

Muttly, I'd suggest you get the ol' tape measure out and start measuring for fit and find out what you will need to change. But, I would expect you will have to modify the engine mounts and the transmission mount. Not a hard job at all, just takes little planning before you start. I would also expect you will need to get a new driveshaft done for it. I'd expect the cost to be under 200 bucks on that. I got one done recently for 185 bucks for a chevy TH400 trans to a 9" Ford rearend. They will need to know what trans you are using and what rear axle you are using and will need a measurement from the end of the trans output shaft to the center of the of the universal on the rear axle yoke.

are there headers that are specially made for this kind of swap, I've kinda looked around but havnt found anything yet..
could I just use Mustang headers, is there enough room??
I dont own the car yet, I just want to know what I'm getting myself into and I wanna know how much money i'll probably be spending.

Thanks

Tyler

I had a 55 Crown Victoria with a 351W in it a couple years ago. It had stock exhaust manifolds so I don't know about headers.
It fit good and looked like it belonged in there.
I didn't do the installation so I don't know what problems you'll run into.
It shouldn't be very difficult if you have a little experience and a good welder.
Untill you have the engine hanging in place you won't know what questions to ask. Even then you should have a book or two to refer to. Not everyone on this site gives good information.
Fabricating motor mounts, trans mount and the driveshaft will be the hardest part.
You could use a Mustang floor shifter but mine was hooked up to the original column shifter.

One thing you will need is a digital camera so you can post pictures when you have a specific problem. It's easy to misunderstand a question without a picture.
AL

Hmmm, Al must do everything the hard way. Ya can do a lot with a tape measure, a level and a little thought into it. Ah, I understand now!!!

I don't need a tape measure to know it fits. Like I said I had one. I didn't say don't use a tape measure.Use the tape to get it centered. I didn't think you needed details for an imaginary engine swap.
See what I mean about misunderstanding each other?

Details:
55 Ford has a 6 volt generator the 351 has a 12V altenator. You have to toss the voltage regulator and use the one for the 12V system. The regulator has to be rewired useing a later Ford wiring diagram.
The 6 volt system needs to be changed to 12 volts. Replace all light bulbs with 12 volt bulbs. The blower motor on the heater will require a voltage drop resistor. The original radio will need one too if you choose to use it. It's AM only but because of it's unusual shape there is no easy replacement. There are places that can rebuild the original radio into a 12 volt FM but they want lots o dollars. Most 55 owners hide a radio in the glove box or under the dash and leave the original to plug the hole in the dash.
The wires going to the engine may have to be shortened or lengthened as the oil and temp sensors and ignition may be in a different location.
I'm sure I'll think of other details later but there are no insurmountable problems so go buy the 55 Ford.
I'll donate a pair of used chromed valve covers for the 351 when I see a picture of it in the 55.

Sweet,
I didnt really think to ask about the Electrical conversion.
I was told that the bulbs in a 6V system are "thicker" and would work, but that's just what I heard.
The whole '55 ford idea is starting too look more realistic.
I am moving into an apartment on Monday and once I've moved in, I'll see about driving down and picking it up. It might be a week or so though.

thanks for all the info,
my bro has a welder and we've both done a bunch of fabricating and custom work to our vehicles so far, so I dont think it'll be too much trouble getting this to work, Im mainly concerned about the brakes once I get it running.

I already have chrome Ford Racing valve cover's though, thanks
you can see my engine and my car at
http://www.cardomain.com/id/muttly004

thanks again

Tyler

I just installed a 351-w and a C-4 in a 55 ford convertible,email me and I will give you all the details. jogden55@netzero.net

sweet, I just emailed you

Tyler

By the way, what kind of rear end would probably come in a 1955 ford, at least what would the options be??
thanks

Tyler