1952-59 Ford 302 head hits firewall

Guys
I’m having trouble getting my 302 back enough to make motor mount lineup. The drivers side head hits the firewall with about 1” to go . I tried switching mounts around but that made it worse. Any suggestions?

 

What mounts? I have the Butch's mounts and have no issues at all. There are 2 versions also and you have to measure to make sure you get the right ones since I know the 1953 had 2 different frames.

 

Craig
I’m using the stock mounts from the mustang gt that I got the motor out of . I do plan on switching to new mounts for final install but right now I was just doing a fit check . I didn’t know if by chance the AFR heads are a little bigger then stock , that doesn’t seem that would come into play . The car is a 55 so I don’t know if that makes a difference.

 

Oh ... well completely different ch***is. You will need to buy some retrofit mounts or fab your own. The Butch's uses a spin on these which are a good start if you are handy with a welder.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spee...Motor-Mount-Kits,60386.html?sku=91018033-FORD

 

The 302 is the opposite of the Y block on which head is further back so yes, the firewall is staggered to the wrong side. I have a 302 in my 55 and posted how I did it several times using 66 mustang 289 mounts and a couple adapters. The mounts are cheap and fit several different 60's and 70's ford cars. Most recently posted in 56 mercury frame notch with pictures a few posts down from this one. Mark

 

I’ll check them out . I did find this kit at Jegs -https://www.jegs.com/i/Trans-Dapt/969/9736/10002/-1
Thoughts ?

 

These are the mounts I advised him to use. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/albums/289-302-351w-swap-mounts.41498/ Butch's was bought out by Shoebox Central this is the kit Butch's had https://shoebox-central.com/2507cp-...-block-ford-motor-mount-engine-conversion-kit Note they state that it is only for cars that came with a Y-block even though we know there is an clearance advantage if the car came with a Six from the factory.

 

Post a picture from several angles of those "stock" GT mounts, the ones from a convertible are not the same as the ones listed in that link with the pictures, different part numbers.

 

This shows the 302/5.0 in my '54 (55-56 have the same ch***is) when I first installed it, notice the distance from the valve cover to firewall with the Mustang mounts I listed in the link, I do not have a p***enger side view.

 

Since the plan is to by new anyway, I’ll get the ones you suggested. The mounts I have came out of mustang gt hardtop . Photo of mounts and back of head .

 

These are the ones in the link https://www.ebay.com/itm/264931996131? 2725 is Left side 2726 is Rt side Transmission is this one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/225801887815?

 

You definitely have more space behind the head than I do . I’ll try the new ones this weekend after slotting the frame holes .

 

Many different ways to do this, it will fit!

 

Did you use the Lokar shifter ? And throttle cable ?

 

Both will work.
However, I am only using the Lokar throttle cable because of my choice in accelerator pedal. It goes through the floor and was in the direct line of the Lokar shift rod. My dad wound up making one that worked for our setup.

 

Dos
Did you start off with 3on the tree and modify off that ?

 

Nope - I actually swapped to a 56 auto column and steering wheel

 

Genius, I am going to start looking for one . Has to be easier then installing the Lokar floor shifter.

 

I ordered a column from speedway motors, be here next week.

 

Guys
How’s the reared hold up to the extra torque and power .

 

Good evening.I have a 56 Merc Monterey.I have a78 302 from a truck and I had to change the oil pan to a early 70s car type and used the B2220 and B2221 EARLY Mustang mounts with hedman headers and perfect fit and Engine fell slam on the mounts..you have to slot the frame pads..I use the OEM throttle bracket to Edelbrock intake

 

Sgt
Motor looks nice , I have new mounts coming in on Friday. I will slot the frame mount this weekend and drop it in again . I want to get everything to fit before I paint engine bay and start with wiring.

 

Thanks brother..I had a time to get it right

 

I used the stock 55 automatic column, works fine but the gear position indicator is not accurate. Dosen't bother me so still using it. I had a cable throttle and pedal but didn't care for the way it felt. So using a pedal and linkage from a 70's F100 for the throttle. Mark

 

Same here with gear position lining up. I've got park and reverse but the rest are just by feel. The detents in the AOD are too close.

 

I ordered this one from Speedway hope it works, seems like I saw somewhere that it should be 30” not 32” . I think I can work with an extra 2” one way or another.

 

If you are using your stock steering box you will need to modify it by cutting off the shaft going to the steering wheel and installing a coupler to match up to that column. Wiring for the turn signals, brake lights, and possibly backup lights will need a GM style mating connector. The column drop where it hangs from the dash will be different as well. Not a huge deal but quite a bit of change required, not a bolt in by any means. If you are staying with a stock suspension and steering system you might consider doing a Borgson power steering box conversion at the same time instead of modifying the old stock steering box. Just FYI. Mark

 

Mark
Good info . Since this is build is one that I am adapting as I go nothing is off the table . At some point I just may do a mustang 2 front in , but if I can work everything out without doing that that would be great . The key for me now is get motor fit done , set to the side then work on engine bay and suspension.

 

Mark
Is this the right one ?

 

You could go this route and get power steering and a tilt column all in one. https://www.hotrodders.com/threads/electric-power-steering-install-in-a-54-ford.526435/ This was an update, the original article is here. https://www.hotrodders.com/threads/...afe-no-ebay-module-needed-pics-videos.454530/