Engine swap info. needed

[h8louzn]

I am getting outof the fox game and have access to a 76 mach1.
Can someone give me some info on putting a v8 in the 6's place?
Need to know what I will need and how much of a pain it is.
I still have a 90 roller motor with afr heads and fuel injection.
So I though what the hell you dont see many rollin around like foxes.
Might even look into the painless wiring to run the fuel injection stuff.
Thanks in advance.
Eddie

 

[78CobraII]

There are lots of little things to collect, but nothing big like cutting crossmembers, etc. Springs and swaybars are the only suspension difference between the V6 and V8. In fact if the V6 was heavily optioned and the V8 install is stripped (i.e. no PS or AC, etc.) you can probably get away with using the V6 springs for a while.

V8 engine brackets (eBay or junkyard)
V8 motor mounts (eBay or Ford Dealer*)
Exhaust manifolds (eBay or junkyard*)
Front sump oil pan, pump, pickup, etc.
Ignition (***)
Electric external fuel pump
8" or 9" rear (some V6's have the 6 3/4" rear)
V6 tach needs replaced with V8

* Ford wants $90 each when you can find them. The "Anchor" brand motor mount listing for the V8 MII is wrong.

** Port the factory V8 manifolds or use headers...Hooker Super Comp are the only good ones still on the market, bu they only fit with a C4 auto. Not RAD 4-speed or T-5 5-speed or AOD. Plan on ported stock manifolds or custom headers if you don't have a C4.

*** with the correct distributor gear, you can run a Duraspark II distributor and ignition box with a late-model engine.



Optional things:

5-lug front hubs are available from the Streetrod crowd in the stock 9" diameter using the stock calipers or in 11" (requires new calipers and mounts).

5-lug rear axles are available from Currie, but be sure to specify the MII axle housing. Use early Ranger (narrow) 5-lug drums with the MII rear brakes.

Several MII's are running around with 5.0L engines with EFI, so help is available. Some folks add an in-tank pump to the MII tank, and some use an external pump on the framerail.

The late-model 5.0L/T-5 setup works pretty well except that the shifter is about 2" farther forward than the stock location. You'll want a shifter that is bent farther away from the dash than for the Fox. The MII cable clutch setup just needs an additional washer on the T-5 fork to work. MII C4 drive shaft should fit with the T-5, but check length as all installs seem to be slightly different.

Fox seats fit the MII seat rails with an addtional hole drilled on each.

 

[h8louzn]

Wow,
Thanks for the responce.
lots of info there.
I saw that you ca use the fox front springs as well.
If thats true I'm set as I have some fox stuff left.
I also still have my 03 cobra seats so that might work as well.
I will keep you all posted as I get into this.
Thanks Again,Eddie

 

[Blue Thunder]

5-lug front hubs are available from the Streetrod crowd in the stock 9" diameter using the stock calipers or in 11" (requires new calipers and mounts).

I got my "stock" 5-lug rotors from this guy: http://www.moneymakerracing.com/
They're nice parts, and he seems like a decent person.

 

[Vince]

** Port the factory V8 manifolds or use headers...Hooker Super Comp are the only good ones still on the market, but they only fit with a C4 auto. Not RAD 4-speed or T-5 5-speed or AOD. Plan on ported stock manifolds or custom headers if you don't have a C4.

Good info but I'm not sure when the Hooker Super Comps became C4 only? I have a set (not installed yet) and the installation instructions only say they won't fit with a column shifter. I also remember a351must2 installing them on his Mach 1 / T5 / MII bellhousing with no problems. With a fox bellhousing the Hookers need some modifications, but they can be made to work.

 

[h8louzn]

just found out the mach 1 is a 74 not 76.
Can I still put a v-8 in it?
Thanks,eddie

 

[itsaMustangtoo]

just found out the mach 1 is a 74 not 76.
Can I still put a v-8 in it?
Thanks,eddie

1974 never had a v-8 option. the rad support is further back than the 75-78. I put a 289 in my 74 but it is alot of work getting things to fit. I would keep looking for a 75-78.

 

[IICrazy]

just found out the mach 1 is a 74 not 76.
Can I still put a v-8 in it?
Thanks,eddie

Where are you located?

 

[78CobraII]

Its certainly more work to put a 302 in a '74, but its do-able. I have heard of '74 owners that have placed the radiator in front of the support, and some that have replaced the radiator support with one from a '75+ MII.

Here's an example of a 1974 Ghia with a 302 installed:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/craig.robertson1/engine.htm

Looks like he left the raditor in the stock position and replaced the engine-driven fan with a pusher electric fan.

The Mach 1's are rare enough that I hope you restore it. The Mach 1 is the only performance MII with its own VIN designation, so its easier to verify than a CBII or a KC. You see even fewer of them at car shows than you do the CBII.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[h8louzn]

Well I'm located in CA for now but car will be going with me to NV in sept.
I guess I will just leave it alone for now.
It has a bad c-4 but runs well other than that.
It has the large 6 in it. I hear there are 2 size 6's??
Should I just fix the C-4 or try and find another one?
Thanks for all the help!

 

[78CobraII]

The C4 is a good transmission...pull it and have it rebuilt. It shouldn't be too expensive unless the case or shafts are damaged.

Ford used the 2.6L and 2.8L V-6's in the 1970's, but I think that all MII's got the 2.8L. Some early Capri's got the 2.6L.

Double check your transmission type and rear end type...a lot of MII's got the smaller C3 tranny and 6.75" rear with the V-6. Neither would hold up long with a 302.

 

[h8louzn]

Just talked to the guy that has the car and he told me it is a c-4 and a 2.8 with a 8" rear end.
Does this sould right?
I will try to get some pics in the near future.
It has been in So. Cal. all its life so there is no rust at all.
Thanks,Eddie

 

[78CobraII]

Its not unusual to see the V6 with a C4 auto and an 8" rear. But there are plenty of them with the C3 and 6.75", so it was worth checking.

What year 302 are you planning on using? The C4 should bolt up to any 302 with a C4 bellhousing, but the bellhousings differ according to the size of the flexplate. The MII has a smaller 302 flexplate than other Mustangs, but a standard flexplate and bell should do fine in your MII, it will just fit a little tighter.

The year of the 302 is an issue due to a different balance being used from '81+. Just make sure that your flexplate balance matches your engine balance.

It might be cool to have twin pusher electric fans in front of your radiator like the Shelby Cobra sports cars.

Check the door tag code for your rear...if it doesn't indicate a Trac Lok differential, start looking for a limited slip or locking differential for that 8"...you'll need it with a 302!

 

[78Mach1]

...
Check the door tag code for your rear...if it doesn't indicate a Trac Lok differential, start looking for a limited slip or locking differential for that 8"...you'll need it with a 302!

Otherwise you end up like my Mach- Captain Hook's Peg Legged Specials

 

[Mstng2]

What part of Nevada you moving to? Also Yes a V-8 fits in the 74 without too much trouble, but you do have to have the radiator custom built and some other tweeks.