Swap a 302 into an Escort?

C

caine0

Member
Jul 13, 2003
121
0
17
#1
When my current 302 needs to be rebuilt (hopefully not for awhile), I want to either sell it or transplant it into something small/lightweight. I plan on putting a r302 or dart block into the mustang, so don't worry about that part :)

I really like the look of old (around '86) Ford Escort Gt's, because they're sorta like a mini mustang. I can't find any websites online where somebody has done this, though. So could anybody point me in the right direction? Can a 302 even fit under that hood? I figure I would drop the block in, do the best job I could of making it rear-wheel drive, and then use a t-5 from a 90+ mustang?

I tried finding their stock weight on the net but couldn't find that either, does anybody know? I've heard it's really easy to swap a 302 into a miata, but I would sooner walk than drive a miata.

I'm sure somebody has done this before, help me out guys :)
 
#3
Were the old escorts front or rear wheel drive? I thought they were front...if they are front wheel, I think you may have some minor fabrication issues with getting the t5, driveshaft, axle and suspension to fit well (something about the transmission tunnel). I think the consensus is that you can shoehorn a 302 into almost anything, its just a matter of how much dough you can bear to part with (or time).
 
#4
Yah they were front wheel drive, that's why I said "do the best job I could of making it rear-wheel drive". I know that it would probably cost an arm and a leg to get a shop to do this, so that's why I want to find a website or somebody who has done this before. Just so I can get an understanding of basically how much actually needs to be a one off fabrication, and how much can be taken from something else or modified a bit to work with the escort.

My main concern right now is finding info on how to fit the 302 in the escort engine bay.

I do like old rx7's as well, so that is a good suggestion :) I think I heard of somebody putting a chev 350 in an rx7 before, so I'm sure the 302 would fit no problem. How much trouble is it though? Like lining the engine up with the transmission, or putting a better heavy duty tranny in there? And how much would it weigh? I need some websites so I can educate myself through other people's hard work hehe. Pretty please :)

*EDIT* Found out one of those rx7's (88-92's) weigh about 2700 pounds, that's only 300 pounds lighter than my mustang. On the other hand, something like a '86 GLH Turbo Omni only weighs about 2300 pounds! Still waiting to find out the weight of an 86 escort.
 
#6
If you can weld, it can be a cool job to do I guess. You'd need to take apart the whole interior (dash and all). Get a sawzall or something and cut a large gap out of the firewall. You might need a rear sump oil pan and fab a new front cross-member. For the rear, you might need to have a diff cut to fit the width of the car and have reinforcements welded in where the new rear suspension will go... It sounds like a huge fab job doesn't it? lol Well that's because it is a huge fab job.

They do have kits to make a RWD Focus and kits to put 302s in Miatas. I'd try and find an 80's Mazda B2200 truck and shoehorn a 5.0L in there. That would be a sleeper, and pretty damn easy. lol
 
#8
A big swap is the LS1 into the FD body RX-7. I see these things doing like 12 sec qauters with a stock engine. Get some heads and cam and walk into 10's. If you have the funds and the know how do that. You would like it.
 
#9
There is one Escort van, here in Finlond from early 80´s. It has it´s original engine in front, but.... It has olds 455 from Toronado to make it rear wheel drive!!! Drive to the track, with tiny engine and start the 455 at the track.. I´m sure I can find some pics...
 
#13
I personally know two guys that built a 351W/C4 setup out of a E250 Van into a Festiva. They changed nothing other than putting it in the car. They then put a 125hp NOS kit on it, but never go the balls to try it. It ran mid 12's without even trying. It was not pretty, but it was funny looking and it went like crazy. Looks like a roller skate. Verry funny.
 
#16
"I personally know two guys that built a 351W/C4 setup out of a E250 Van into a Festiva. They changed nothing other than putting it in the car."

Bein's how the Festiva is front wheel drive, can you elaborate on how they 'changed nothing other than put it in car' and got it to run at all? I suspect it was a bit more involved than you were led to believe.
 
#17
"lightweight Aerostar?"

Isn't that an oxymoron?

Engine swaps are always much more involved than folks think if they haven't done one - especially if you're looking for factory levels of fit, finish, function. Whatever your cost/time estimates are - multiply both by a factor of 2 to 4 and you'll have a better handle on what it's gonna take.
 
#19
Sorry... I've been watching too much Junkard mega wars lately... But a 4.6L Focus???? :drool: That's an attention grabber...

If it helps I once tried to put a 3.8L V6 into a lawn tractor... it didn't work out too well but I was 12 years old.
 
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