Newer 302 Boss?

Jared Hammel · Jul 22, 2017

I have a 69 coup. What is the newest year engine and trans that will fit with the last amount of modification?

Jared Hammel · Jul 22, 2017

Also, if I remain with the current 302, what are my options for 6 speed autos?

imp · Jul 22, 2017

@Jared Hammel
Well, I'm not too well-informed on late-model, like OHC V-8s, but can tell you I saw with my own eyes once, long ago, a 1969 Mustang with a SOHC 427 "Cammer" in it, in Cicero, Illinois. Worst part was, it was for sale! I don't believe hardly any of today's OHCs, like 4.6, 5.4, etc., are wider than a Cammer. Width is the difficult factor in Mustang conversions, due to the spring towers. Ford originally stuck regular 427s in Fairlanes ~ 1963 or '4. They cut the tower faces away clear to the spring, maybe even used smaller OD springs, then welded flat plate in place vertically and horizontally, to return adequate strength to the towers, which basically support the weight of the front of the car.

Crazy things CAN be done, as you mention, least amount of modification is often a moot point. Below, my 1963 Falcon, ca. about 1970, with a big, 430 Lincoln tucked away under stock hood.

You can see the flat, 1/4" plates I welded on the spring towers, and the huge iron exhaust manifolds, this was a WIDE engine for it's time! Sorry, no digital cameras then. imp

Jared Hammel · Aug 7, 2017

Any idea on how I would find out if it will all bolt up? I have a lead on a 2008 302 boss with tranny.

Jared Hammel · Aug 7, 2017

imp · Aug 7, 2017

Jared Hammel said:
Any idea on how I would find out if it will all bolt up? I have a lead on a 2008 302 boss with tranny.

@Jared Hammel
Yes I have an idea. Nothing will "bolt up". That is an OHC engine, very wide, and you would need to know it's overall dimensions, and measure the engine room in your '69 to even consider the possibilities. It can be done, don't know the vehicle, or if those spring towers were modified, but here's how it would look:

Jared Hammel · Aug 7, 2017

So my 69 302 is OHV correct? If I stayed with an OHV What do you think year would work? Also ideas on 6 speed autos?

imp · Aug 7, 2017

Jared Hammel said:
So my 69 302 is OHV correct? If I stayed with an OHV What do you think year would work? Also ideas on 6 speed autos?

@Jared Hammel

The easiest bolt in if you're looking for "big iron", would be a Ford FE Series engine of any size of your choosing. 390, 427, 428, for example. 69s were available with the FE from the factory, so ripping up of the engine compartment would not be needed.

On the 6-speed auto, sorry, I can't help you. imp

Jared Hammel · Aug 8, 2017

@imp

Awesome. Thank you for all the great info!!!

mustangbrad · Aug 9, 2017

One of the biggest obstacles in the early Mustangs is space! You can do a "FE" big block engine swap, and that would be cool. I can tell you from experience that those engines are a tight fit. I would recommend building a 347 stroker motor out of your existing 302. A well built 347 can be a handful in a chassis as light as these cars are. if that's not enough build a stroked 351 Windsor. A Windsor will easily fit and can be taken up to 427 cubic inches in a factory block. A stroked Windsor will do everything a big block FE will do in a smaller lighter package, and parts are easier to find. On the transmission, do you just want 6 speeds? A great upgrade would be a Ford AOD transmission. The AOD is a 4 speed automatic, the 4th gear is an overdrive so its great for highway driving and they easily fit in early Mustangs. If you just want 6 speeds in an automatic you can put a Gear Vendors gear splitter behind a C4 and you would, essentially, have a 6 speed automatic. Gear Vendors is a pricey upgrade. Personally, a 347 engine/AOD transmission would be a great combination. All of the parts are readily available and affordable. You are only limited by your budget and imagination. What ever you do, have fun with it!

imp · Aug 9, 2017

mustangbrad said:
One of the biggest obstacles in the early Mustangs is space! You can do a "FE" big block engine swap, and that would be cool. I can tell you from experience that those engines are a tight fit. I would recommend building a 347 stroker motor out of your existing 302. A well built 347 can be a handful in a chassis as light as these cars are. if that's not enough build a stroked 351 Windsor. A Windsor will easily fit and can be taken up to 427 cubic inches in a factory block. A stroked Windsor will do everything a big block FE will do in a smaller lighter package, and parts are easier to find. On the transmission, do you just want 6 speeds? A great upgrade would be a Ford AOD transmission. The AOD is a 4 speed automatic, the 4th gear is an overdrive so its great for highway driving and they easily fit in early Mustangs. If you just want 6 speeds in an automatic you can put a Gear Vendors gear splitter behind a C4 and you would, essentially, have a 6 speed automatic. Gear Vendors is a pricey upgrade. Personally, a 347 engine/AOD transmission would be a great combination. All of the parts are readily available and affordable. You are only limited by your budget and imagination. What ever you do, have fun with it!

@mustangbrad
Great words of wisdom! I've always been a fan if the FEs because I "grew up" with them, put a 352 in one of my first cars, a '55 Merc. I particularly liked them because of the staunch "Y-Block" design, with the crankcase cast down below the crank centerline, very strong, flat oil pan gasket surface, and possibility to cross-bolt the main bearing caps from outside the crankcase. 427 did that, 428 did not. I heard of very few 427s blowing up. They were heavy. Later called boat anchors. But pretty indestructible. imp

Jared Hammel · Aug 10, 2017

Thank you both for all the great advice. Is it possible to build 347 strocker from a 302 thats been bored .30? I actually started looking in to pulling an AOD from a 1993 5.0.

mustangbrad · Aug 11, 2017

Most 347 stroker kits use use .03" over pistons. So you should be good there, assuming the block is good and the bore is fresh. Unless you are absolutely sure about what you have, as far as the block is concerned, take it to a machine shop and have it checked out! You don't want to start an engine build on a bad block.

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