Newbies Considering a V8 Swap, Looking for Advice

Thanks!

 

I've read that headers are a tight fit. What headers will fit? My sons car has power steering and is column shift. Thanks!

 

what engine and heads did you decide on?

 

We bit the bullet and bought an engine. It was just pulled out of a restored pick-up truck. The engine was in the truck when the owner bought it a couple of years ago and he hadn't done much to it or knew much history on it. He'd been saving for a new engine to put in and finally had all the parts to go ahead and pull the old one. The block has an E6SE casting, so 1986, roller lifters. It seems somebody already converted it from EFI to a carb. Not sure on the heads, I'm thinking they are E7. The harmonic balancer has a 1972 date code on it.

 

Here iz where the fun starts! You got a mixture of parts. You best have a plan my friend.

 

???

 

If it has ¾" reach spark plugs, has the asthmatic E6 heads(Crown Vic, Fox T-Bird etc). E7 uses ½" reach plugs.

With '72 on harmonic balancer it should be a 28oz balance engine.

 

strip it down to the crank, find out what bottom end you have and build it up from there..or Summit.
ATK High Performance 1968-74 Ford 302 Stock Drop-In Long Block Crate Engines HP99F

JMO

 

Thats what I was thinking too 71Gold.

Buying an old motor thats been sitting is a core expecting to be rebuilt.

I recalled Newbies is on a tight budget.

 

You guys like to spend someone else's money...

 

"a tight budget"

that just means it takes longer to do it right...

 

Either way you go in this hobby, it's going to cost you money. Going w/ unknown engine, sitting for "who knows how long" is all-right if one is looking to hone their skills on rebuilds. However, if you're looking for less chance of having too do things more than once -- odds are much better going w/ plan B.
It comes down too what ones mechanical skill/knowledge levels, and what they can perform as oppose to what has to be farmed out -- what the ultimate money outlay will be...

 

Hooker 6901 will clear, and if you search the forum there are a number of other popular brands, but you'll need to modify your column shifter rods or do a Granada cable swap. I've attached photos of each. With power steering, you will also need a power steering drop bracket.

 

Thank you! All this is so helpful. This is a great forum!

 

The oil pan that came with this engine appears to be a larger capacity pan than what would have been stock in 73. Does anybody know if this pan will fit in the 73 without any interference? Thanks.