Hi guys, So i came across this site and there is never anything specific for the fairlane so I was wondering if this can be used for a thunderbird wouldnt it work for my fairlane since its closer to a tbird than f-100? Classic Ford Thunderbird 5.0 Coyote Swap Installation Kit
when all said and done way cheaper than a new car lol a guy told me it be 25K to build my y block for all that i want some power
looks like this thread will probably get put in the off topic section. The Tbird has the engine sitting a ways back from the front wheels, compared to the normal Ford cars. I expect that would affect how the headers fit. The motor mounts might or might not work, but they used special stuff on the Tbirds, different oil pan, etc. So it's probably not going to be as helpful as you hope.
That kit will not accomplish what you want. The simplest way to do the swap is with a front end conversion such as mustang 2 with a crossmember and then remove the shock towers. After that, there is plenty of available parts to do a coyote with available bolt in parts. There are some modified strut kits that will remove the shock towers that are bolt in if you would find that more in your skill set. A custom oil pan might be required for leaving the stock crossmember.
There are no shock towers in the 50’s Fords. The engine compartment is pretty generous, so plenty of room for a Coyote. If it fits up to 1965 model tbirds it could work, the big obstacle would be the crossmember.
Assuming the fairlane is question is your avatar, and you want to use the bird kit in it, here’s my comments. The bird and the truck used a front engine mount. The truck used a bellhousing with ears (think 56 Chevy), the bird used steady rest rods on either side (where the side motor mounts are). Both used a rear sump pan. The fairlane used pretty conventional side mounts and a center transmission mount. The bird used rear dump exhaust, just like the car (small change on drivers side). The truck could have the rams horns. Those won’t clear either center motor mounts. You can buy tri-y bird and 4 tube bird headers, and 4 tubes for for trucks. None of those clear any of the cars. I’ve never seen long or short 4 tubes for a car, might check that. Looking at the pictures in the link, I don’t think the headers will work, and then only with an auto. Clutch linkage problems. The car crossmember will require front sump pan. The radiators are all different, but maybe you can adapt one. These are just my thoughts, and I don’t have any time working on the cars, just the birds and trucks. For the money there, it’s either going to be a lot of additional fabrication, or money, or both. Neat idea though, lots of hp if you make it work.
That stuff is not only way overpriced, but also most won't even work for your Fairlane. $755 for motor mounts and trans crossmember? Holy crap! I don't know where you are, but I recommend you find a local shop to do what you're not capable of doing yourself. I have a friend who's shop pretty much specializes in Coyote swaps into anything old, but they are in South Texas.
The 56 Wagon with this side emblem replaced the entire chassis with an Alston. I have seen one other on that used the stock chassis but had pan problems along making his own mounts. They are very wide. The same exhaust manifolds are on both cars but the Birds have way more room.
thanks for the help. This is my first ford so learning a lot. Yes the fairlane as my avatar is the beauty that i'm entertaining ideas with. theres a lot of information on the trucks and birds but not fairlanes seems wild to me
what is this? So it be more worth it to change the frame? I have no experience when it comes to classic cars. I feel like i would get ripped off just because i dont know about these classic cars like that
No to a mustang clip. One of the reasons people use either mustang 2 or similar crossmember swaps is to add rack and pinion steering. The fairlane steering box is in the way of many swaps. The aftermarket frame swap such as Art Morrison or Roadster shop starts at 20 grand and goes up. I would suggest you call Jeff at Swartz Performance and ask for a price on his frame. I think it's less money but I may be all wrong there. He has a youtube channel with monthly updates. If you look at what he works on, you will decide if a frame swap is for you. If you want your car to drive like modern units, it's the way to go. Putting a coyote in and not upgrading brakes, suspension and all of the electrics might be a real disappointment in the end.
If you want to see a front clip swap, try flatheadjohn47 on here. A link below. He can probably tell you more than we can speculate, but it’s not a coyote. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/56-fairlane-power-swap.1306873/page-3#post-15078209 It would be fun, but not easy. The stock rearend won’t begin to handle the power. You’re going to need wheel tubs to begin to hook that power up. Probably at least a 4 bar rear end, but maybe really good springs and Caltracs. Now you’ve got to stop it, so figure Wilwood’s with bigger wheels to clear them. That will be easier, especially with the newer rear end. Serious work and money. More than you paid for the car, and when it’s done, it’s worth..…..about what you paid for the original car. Lord knows I’ve done that enough. The stock suspension well rebuilt and aligned, with the usual disc upgrades, slightly wider wheels and better tires, they’re good driving cars. All more affordable. Sticking a T-5 or AOD in and changing the rear gears makes a big difference in daily driving (not much change if it’s a 3 sp o/d already). Join the 54-59 social group here and poke around. See what others have done in swaps and what it took. Great looking ride. Learn about it first, and enjoy the ride.
You can't just throw a coyote swap in and not upgrade the brakes and everything else cause the stock manual stuff is trash. I got the car running and can't even enjoy it cause it's a pain to steer and pumping brakes isn't in my muscle memory lol. I wasn't thinking of doing a fame swap but I was looking into the independent front suspension
I got the car for free, and prices on new cars are more than I would put in her and have everything I want. I been trying to get into the 54-59 social group but it doesn't come up for me. do you know how to join. The reason i am looking into upgrading is the old stuff is overly priced. a power steering rack from a 57 ppl are charging 3k for all that you can just get new technology and probably save some money in the process. so no matter which way you go its money pit
You could throw a fuel injected small block Ford (5.0 or 5.8) in it with an AOD or 4R70W, add power disc brakes up front and a power steering box and it'll be a fine cruiser with enough power to get you into trouble. The SBF engines drop into the '54+ Fords with 5 minutes of slotting some holes in the frame and a pair of store bought bolt in motor mounts. The stock rear axle would be fine, but won't handle a bunch of burnouts and the little axle shafts won't like hard launches, but an 8", 9", or even 8.8" rear axle could easily be swapped in if need be. These cars aren't heavy, so a 250-300hp engine makes for a real fun car and great cruiser. Just getting the Coyote to fit in the engine bay would be a task with all of the clearancing and fabrication, then you'll likely need custom headers, maybe a custom oil pan. Then the 6R80/10R80 transmission has to fit somewhere, time to beat the snot out of the floor and tunnel. Now you definitely need a new rear end to handle the Coyote power.
so, i found a guy on YouTube that put the gen 2 into a 57 Fairlane. I wouldn't image the engine bay is different between a 55 and 57 could be wrong though. he did have to do custom headers but looks like he used the factory mustang mounts and just used a plasma cutter to make the hole from existing frame mount hole https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v...AkLKgQbdg9JKHmMa0WO4Rcd-9zp0h6Nt_AKsEQU07g&e=
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