'89 LX engine swap

[zzyzx]

I'm the owner of an '89 LX V8. Now that I just got my smog renewed and won't need another for 2 years, I'm thinking that it would be a fun project to install a carburated 302 that I recently built. I'm just starting to consider this project and need to do some research. I have a few questions that maybe some of you guys can answer.

1) Does anyone make an aftermarket kit to fit pulleys and whatever else I need for the altenator, A/C, etc?

2) It's an 85 block and the car's an 89 Mustang. Can I use the water pump that I have on this engine or do I need to use an '89 water pump for clearance/fit issues?

3) Does anyone make a throttle linkage kit (I'll be using a Holley carb)?

4) How difficult is it to remove/replace the engine and tranny together as a unit? From experience on other cars, I know it's just such a pain in the ass to have to align the engine and trans when the trans is not removed.

5) What else do I need to worry about? The engine should otherwise be a straightforward swap, right?

 

[93project]

i just finished the new carb motor on my 93... i kept the serpentine setup, march alt bracket and Ford ps pump kit. water pump for an 87-93. for throttle cable, i used the one from spectre, along with the bracket. if you need help, let me know. my engine fires up flawlessly now

 

[zzyzx]

Is it easier to remove/reinstall the engine and tranny together as a unit, or to just remove the engine?

 

[93project]

taking it out? engine by itself. putting in? engine with tranny as one unit.

 

[1987LXragtop]

taking it out? engine by itself. putting in? engine with tranny as one unit.

absolutely. I actually just finished my carb swap tonight. Oh so much better to not worry about sensors and bs. Runs like a champ too.

 

[cjrpony]

Is it easier to remove/reinstall the engine and tranny together as a unit, or to just remove the engine?

Just put the engine and tranny in a car as unit a few weeks ago. I think it is easier but you gotta have an engine leveler for your cherry picker because you really gotta go in at a steep angle. This is the second time I did it this way, no problems either time.

 

[93project]

perfect team answers here! Engine leveler for the win! I used that also to get my motor/tranny combo in with no problems. Plus, you NEED to attach your tranny to the motor before it's in because if you're working on the floor in your garage like the rest of us, there's no way to get that tranny up into the motor by yourself!

Seperate note, my carb setup fires up more easily and idles better than it did with efi. Not knocking efi at all but once you get to the limit of the stock computer,.. all kinds of oddities occur! My car IS NOT a daily driver though. For that, efi works best

 

[zzyzx]

Thanks for the tips on the engine removal/installation. I'll have to put my engine leveler to work!

Do you guys know any company that sells aftermarket pulley setups for the conversion? Or should I just use the serpentine set up again?

 

[2000xp8]

For the record a carb swap makes your car worse not better.
There is no point to it.
I'd seriously reconsider this project.

What are you going to do in 2 years when you need to inspect it again?

Also when you goto sell it, nobody is going to want it.

If you want to use an engine you built, just get the right EFI intake for it.
Take you 1/10 of the time and 100% less headaches.

Even worse, you are considering this and you live in california.