Engine swap list

[guybored]

The other day as I was driving home my car started acting very strange. So I got home and popped the hood open and started looking around to see if I could find anything wrong with it. After checking the engine I saw that I have a worn out exhaust manifold gasket. Left it resting on the drive way till today. I went to go have the gasket replaced, and talking to a few guys there they informed me of what I was fearing. They said me motor is going to give out on me when I least expect it. They told me to pull the motor and have it rebuild. I rather swap in a 5.0 in there instead of rebuilding the straight 6, was my response. So they start telling me that they know a guy who has a truck with a 5.0 and another guy tells me that a friend of his has a 302 and trans from a 90 t-bird. Now I am thinking what to do?

I am now thinking of going with the 302 and saving some money instead of going with the 5.0. Anybody know what trans is the one of the t-bird or how I can find out if it has overdrive? They are asking $400 for the trans and motor off the t-bird. I think it is a fair price for both. Now I am confused I always wanted and talked about upgrading, now that I have the possibility I am not happy it came up.

I am leaning toward the 302, does anybody know what I will have to order to be able to make the swap work?

Things I think I will need:
different oil pump and oil pan
motor mounts
radiator


I currently have the 200cid and 3 speed, I already have the 5 lug spindles, tie rods, and center link. thanks in advance.

 

[runawayabc123]

The '90 T-Bird will have either a 5 speed manual (super coupes only came with these and had super charged v6 engines). Otherwise, it is a 4 speed AOD (automatic with over drive).

BEWARED!! It could either be a v6 AOD or a v8 AOD. You want a v8 AOD. You can rebuild the v6 AOD to take your abuse if you plan to rebuild anyway, you may not care what it is from.

To be honest, I have heard that you are better off getting an AODE (electronic version of the AOD). You just need an extra box to control the shifs. They are also stronger and don't have the many weakness of the AODs. (Most of the AOD weakness can be fixed if you plan to rebuild it anyway.)

As for the 302 vs 5.0L, both the AOD and the AODE will work with either.

 

[Decurion]

I say 97-01 Explorer, but you have to use stock Mustang exhaust manifolds because the spark plugs are at a different angle that wont clear most headers. Theyre cheap, plentiful, and just about the most powerful 5.0L engine made (save for a few fairly rare engines), in stock form at least. As for a trans, just get a rebuilt c4. An aod is nice, but depending what gear you have not always necessary and is a bit more work to put in.

 

[BarnStang]

Ummm, sounds pretty convieniant that your motor is going to "give out" when it needs an exhaust manifold gaskit. WHats the rational for the determination that the motor should be replaced? Not saying your shop is scamming you, it just sounds odd. And they have some Ford drivetrain parts for sale...
As for the AODE, here is an article you may want to read through. There is more to an AODE than adding an electronic box. Project Overdrive
What year is the car? You say you already have the 5 lug spindles, and centerlink. Are these V8 parts and from what year?

 

[D.Hearne]

302 and a 5.0 are the same engine. There are different variations among the 40 year production run of these engines, but they're one and the same engine when it comes to the basic dimensions and bolt patterns.

 

[jcode68]

Ummm, sounds pretty convieniant that your motor is going to "give out" when it needs an exhaust manifold gaskit. WHats the rational for the determination that the motor should be replaced?

I had the same question after reading this. Not that I am against a 5.0 swap, but if the impetus for this decision is because you question the current engines dependability due to the exhaust manifold gasket, then I would reconsider. The gasket is less than $20 and probably 20 minutes work. You might want to replace it and see how things go for a while before feeling the pressure to pull the engine etc. This will also give you more time to think through and plan your upgrades. Stangnet will be a huge resource for any question or decision process you need to go through, so be sure to search and or ask for help.

 

[guybored]

I started thinking about that might want to scam me. I really hope not because I have been going to them for a few years when ever I need something. And another thing is that I am going to tackle this job, I wont let them do it because I want to replace what ever is rusted in the engine bay and smooth out something covering the holes that are around there. Seen too many nice smooth engine around here. I am capable of replacing a motor and tranny. Besides if I get any problems I'll ask and hopefully you all can help me.:SNSign: I'm going to take it to another mechanic tomorrow to get a second opinion.

 

[guybored]

Can someone explain the difference between a roller and non roller engine? My front spindles are off a 66 and "supposably" my differential is of a 77 maverick. how can I find out what exactly it is if it is even an 8?

I also thought that people would refer to a 5.0 when it was efi and 302 when it is carbed? how can I know if it is a v6 AOD or a v8 AOD.? Sorry for all the questions

 

[Tim65GT]

When I was looking for an AOD for my swap, I was told by a transmission shop to look for the hex indentation cast into the top center of the case. This identifies it as the beefier trans. After it's all done, I think I would have been happier with the more expensive AODE swap. I don't like the silly shift pattern of the AOD with second and third sharing a position. The AODE has an electric switch for the overdrive leaving the three positions on the shifter for one, two, three.

 

[v8stang289]

The major difference is that a roller engine has roller lifters , where as a non-roller engine has flat tappet lifters. Typically when people refer to a "5.0" they are talking about a roller motor, and a "302" as a non-roller motor. Though they both have the same bore and stroke, and consequently, the same displacement. The roller blocks also have taller lifter bores and are machined flat at the top of the lifter bore for the lifter links, the lifter valley is also drilled and tapped for the spider that holds down the lifter links

 

[D.Hearne]

The major difference is that a roller engine has roller lifters , where as a non-roller engine has flat tappet lifters. Typically when people refer to a "5.0" they are talking about a roller motor, and a "302" as a non-roller motor. Though they both have the same bore and stroke, and consequently, the same displacement. The roller blocks also have taller lifter bores and are machined flat at the top of the lifter bore for the lifter links, the lifter valley is also drilled and tapped for the spider that holds down the lifter links

This is all true except that the "5.0" moniker was first used in 1979, the roller cammed 5.0 didn't appear till the 85 model year. So a 5.0 can have either cam. The pickup/van 5.0 used a roller block with a flat tappet cam up until 1991.

 

[guybored]

that clears it up now I understand what you guy talk about roller and non roller. By the way I took it to another mechanic and he told me the same thing. Engine is knocking, so it means it's no good.

 

[guybored]

I just got an offer of a guy from the car club I joined a while ago. He has a 5.0 efi motor, aod trans, wire harness and cpu for $500 it was in a 67. Don't think the wiring will work on mine with out it being modified. This is what I really want for my 65 just gotta see if the other guy who offered to buy it before I found out about it will take it. if he doesn't take it, it is as good as mine.

 

[Tubo(2-bo)]

Seems your getting a lot of offers, just tale time & pick the right one for you.
On your Budddy's EFI 5.0 offer, if you do choose that; find out where the EFI wires conected the 67 harness. It'll make an easy swap then. There are still EFI support systems to work out, FUEL. Prolly the best EFI into classic Mustng site is JamesW's JamesW's Home Page there are links to all the more relevant EFI sites there.

 

[v8stang289]

This is all true except that the "5.0" moniker was first used in 1979, the roller cammed 5.0 didn't appear till the 85 model year. So a 5.0 can have either cam. The pickup/van 5.0 used a roller block with a flat tappet cam up until 1991.

Thats why I said "typically when people refer to a 5.0 they are talking about a roller motor"

It seems like most people are referring to the roller motor when they say 5.0, around here at least.
-Matt