351 Cleveland swapped MII
- Thread starter 78 Mach1
- Start date
Ok, I was trying to hold off until one of my kids came over and showed me how to upload YouTube videos. But I just can’t hold back my excitement any longer. Not only did we get the engine to start, but I drove the car for the first time after over 20 years of ownership. This has been a life long dream of mine. And it finally happened. I dreamt of owning a 351 Cleveland powered mustang II since I was a teenager. And I am currently 53. lol. This mustang has been in my ownership and various stages of build for the last 20 plus years. But it is now a running and driving project. Definitely not done, but light years farther along than it was just 2 years ago.
It drove surprisingly well with only minimal issues to address.
I will still work on getting videos of it running and driving on this thread.
It drove surprisingly well with only minimal issues to address.
I will still work on getting videos of it running and driving on this thread.
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I’m so excited to enjoy this car over the summer, I went ahead and installed the factory bumpers. My plan is to custom fabricate better looking bumpers, but for now, these factory bumpers will be just fine so I can drive and enjoy the car.
My tires were shot. So I pulled the wheels and tires off of my son’s 89 Fox body to use temporarily. That’s what’s on it right now.
Here is how the car currently sits.
My tires were shot. So I pulled the wheels and tires off of my son’s 89 Fox body to use temporarily. That’s what’s on it right now.
Here is how the car currently sits.
I know I started this thread late
into the build. But Just for reference. Here is this car in November 2020.
Nothing but a shell. I drug the car out of a field in Arkansas 20 some years ago. Stripped it to nothing. Welded in the rear frame rails. Then it sat in this condition until 2020. The parts and pieces followed me around through two moves. One of which was from Texas to Illinois. Some how I managed to not lose any of the pieces. In late 2020, I decided it was time to get this car done. I built the rear differential, finished all the interior and frame metal work. Installed the headliner and reupholstered the whole interior by my own hands. That’s when I got serious and decided it’s time to finish this car. A little less than four years later, we are here. It’s been quite a ride. No where near done. But man am I happy with it so far.
into the build. But Just for reference. Here is this car in November 2020.
Nothing but a shell. I drug the car out of a field in Arkansas 20 some years ago. Stripped it to nothing. Welded in the rear frame rails. Then it sat in this condition until 2020. The parts and pieces followed me around through two moves. One of which was from Texas to Illinois. Some how I managed to not lose any of the pieces. In late 2020, I decided it was time to get this car done. I built the rear differential, finished all the interior and frame metal work. Installed the headliner and reupholstered the whole interior by my own hands. That’s when I got serious and decided it’s time to finish this car. A little less than four years later, we are here. It’s been quite a ride. No where near done. But man am I happy with it so far.
Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of it coming out of that field in Arkansas. I didn’t even have a cell phone back then. lol. But I can tell you I paid $400 for it and it was a complete rust free car with everything but the engine. The interior was rough. But all there.
I’m so excited to enjoy this car over the summer, I went ahead and installed the factory bumpers. My plan is to custom fabricate better looking bumpers, but for now, these factory bumpers will be just fine so I can drive and enjoy the car.
My tires were shot. So I pulled the wheels and tires off of my son’s 89 Fox body to use temporarily. That’s what’s on it right now.
Here is how the car currently sits.
Wider rear tires/different offset and this is just about perfect! Congratulations on getting it to where it is now - can't wait to see more progress!!
extra_stout
5 Year Member
I’m getting on board with that as well. I actually like the car better as a driver like it is than if it had perfect paint. The best sort about this car is that is has absolutely zero rust anywhere. So even though it is a little ratty. It is extremely solid. And I ah r literally redone every single thing on this car except the paint and body.
I’m still trying to figure out electric fans. I only have 3” between the radiator fins and the water pump snout. I hear so many mixed opinions about the after market electric fans. Most say they do not work very well or for very long. I’ve considered getting a ford contour factory dual fan and shroud set up. But clearance could definitely be an issue. I may just order it and see what I have for actual room. Or if I can modify it to fit into my space.
If anyone has advice on electric fans for this car. I’ll happily take recommendations.
If anyone has advice on electric fans for this car. I’ll happily take recommendations.
extra_stout
5 Year Member
I have a 74 car, where the radiator support is different to later models, because it was not intended to be used with an v8. So space is even more limited. I have around 10 to 15mm between engine belt pulleys and radiator (and I have the shortest accessory setup available). But I had a game plan for that and it is working quite well.
I bought a used fan that sits up front the radiator. Its from a BMW E34 and has two speeds:
I also used a two stage BMW thermal-switch that sits in the lower radiator hose (that is the right place!). It was used in an BMW E36; BMW part number is 61 31 8 361 440
This is a common swap on later BMW (E36 as an example) over here in europe. The E34 fan is know for its longevity:
- it has two stages, which flattens out the current that is running trough everything; interwebz says that if you switch full current, this is what goes on lifetime of the cooling fan (electric motor, relays...)
- it was made by Siemens
So far it works really well. Stage 1 is really quite, if I want to confirm if its running I need to put my finger in it all the time... ouch!
Stage 2 is running not very often. I have an aluminium air intake and when driving the gauge drops below the middle (because the sensor sees a lot of air), when in traffic the temperature rises to the middle of the gauge (i checked the temps at the engine with an IR temperature measuring device).
And thats with dirty coolant (need to flush it, engine was sitting 10 years before it went into my car). 35°C (95F) and above getting used to be normal in the summer here around...
I bought a used fan that sits up front the radiator. Its from a BMW E34 and has two speeds:
I also used a two stage BMW thermal-switch that sits in the lower radiator hose (that is the right place!). It was used in an BMW E36; BMW part number is 61 31 8 361 440
Stage 1 off | 75 °C |
Stage 1 on | 85 °C |
Stage 2 off | 87 °C |
Stage 2 on | 92 °C |
This is a common swap on later BMW (E36 as an example) over here in europe. The E34 fan is know for its longevity:
- it has two stages, which flattens out the current that is running trough everything; interwebz says that if you switch full current, this is what goes on lifetime of the cooling fan (electric motor, relays...)
- it was made by Siemens
So far it works really well. Stage 1 is really quite, if I want to confirm if its running I need to put my finger in it all the time... ouch!
Stage 2 is running not very often. I have an aluminium air intake and when driving the gauge drops below the middle (because the sensor sees a lot of air), when in traffic the temperature rises to the middle of the gauge (i checked the temps at the engine with an IR temperature measuring device).
And thats with dirty coolant (need to flush it, engine was sitting 10 years before it went into my car). 35°C (95F) and above getting used to be normal in the summer here around...
I have an aftermarket e-fan but don't remember what brand or anything. It is pretty slim. If you've had a stock 302 car and know the clearance between the water pump pulley and the radiator you'll likely know how much room there is. I had to order button head cap screws to mount the water pump pulley as regular bolt heads hit the fan motor's mounting screw even thought it was offset as far as I was able. These are about the only pics I have of it online, if you're interested in more I'll have to see about snapping a pic or 2 when I get home from work tonight.
From what I remember about the fan, it was rated the highest CFM I could find/afford and it was reversible by wiring. Beyond that I don't know how much more help I can offer.
From what I remember about the fan, it was rated the highest CFM I could find/afford and it was reversible by wiring. Beyond that I don't know how much more help I can offer.
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If I had to guess, this is probably equivalent to what I bought:
Sorry I’ve been off line a few days. I’ve been really focusing on getting this car road worthy.
I thought the headers were the hardest part of this build. Boy did I underestimate the fan situation. I only have 2.75” of clearance from the bolt heads on my water pump to the radiator fins.
I ended buying a Ford Contour dual fan setup and used a Flexlite dual stage controller. This allows the fans to come on as a soft start through a temperature controlled sensor and then bump up to full power if needed. I also wired in a manual on bypass just in case. I had to highly modify both the fan shroud, the radiator, and the factory radiator mounts to make this setup work.
But not does it work good. These fans move some air. Even at idle, they will cycle off because the combination of them and the aluminum radiator cool so efficiently.
It is tight though.
It was a lot of work but well worth it.
I thought the headers were the hardest part of this build. Boy did I underestimate the fan situation. I only have 2.75” of clearance from the bolt heads on my water pump to the radiator fins.
I ended buying a Ford Contour dual fan setup and used a Flexlite dual stage controller. This allows the fans to come on as a soft start through a temperature controlled sensor and then bump up to full power if needed. I also wired in a manual on bypass just in case. I had to highly modify both the fan shroud, the radiator, and the factory radiator mounts to make this setup work.
But not does it work good. These fans move some air. Even at idle, they will cycle off because the combination of them and the aluminum radiator cool so efficiently.
It is tight though.
It was a lot of work but well worth it.
Blackhawkxx
Advanced Member
- Mar 3, 2023
- 465
- 462
- 73
Took the car to a local car show just to get out of the house. On the way home, my son pulled up next to me in his 73 Mach 1. He walked away from me pretty easily. Now, in my defense, he has a 351 stroked to a 408 and a tremec 5 speed. But none the less, I would have preferred it to be a little closer. lol. So I decided it was time to lose the two barrel carburetor.
I installed the tunnel ram, a Holley 650 double pumper, Redhorse fuel pressure regulator, and full return style full system. I was originally deadheaded. The return style will better regulate fuel pressure as well as provide consistently cooler fuel to the carb.
Here’s how she sits now.
I installed the tunnel ram, a Holley 650 double pumper, Redhorse fuel pressure regulator, and full return style full system. I was originally deadheaded. The return style will better regulate fuel pressure as well as provide consistently cooler fuel to the carb.
Here’s how she sits now.
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