Alright, I need some help on a decision. A friend of mine that owns a body shop has a rebuilder Mustang that is a 4.6 w/ automatic. He was telling me it would make a good donor car for a power plant swap. Then he mentioned a price and its too good to turn down. Biggest question is, is it worth it and has anyone else done it? I am not a huge fan of wiring harnesses and computers controlling everything. Biggest concern I have is cost of aftermarket parts or replacement parts compared to SBF or FE. The engine runs currently. Thanks in advance for any and all help!
EDIT Just read the ***le again. If the price is right i am always up for a challenge. Guess what really needs to come into play is if you are comfortable building all new mounts an cross-member for the set up and how long do you want it down while you wire it.
Wow, where to start??.....I am/have been installing a 4.6 dohc/4r70w into my '57. This is my first ever build and engine conversion so I really have nothing to go by as far as comparisons. For sure my install on a '57 is going to be different than into a '53, so I don't know how much help I can be, other than info to help you make a decision. My donor was a 52K miles '95 Lincoln Mark viii. Most of the mounts, exhaust manifolds,ect. were salvage yard Mustang components. I'm using the Mark viii cooling fans/shroud. I altered the stock ****** crossmember. Ron Francis /Detail Zone makes engine management systems for a number of specific 4.6's. I believe they can also reflash the computer if necessary..mine will not require reprogramming because of the '95 vintage. I am running a lengthy, detailed thread on the install at www.57fordsforever.com , but I'll forwarn you there's alot of BS on it as I was working thru each issue and getting help/input from other members.Go to the forum, then down to engine swaps and look for "4.6 dohc being installed now". Where are you located? There is an awesomr '54 Merc. in the Phoenix area with a 4.6 dohc.I have a plastic 4.6 mock up block and gutted 4r70w ****** case, which made life a ton easier for this old man. total weight about 50 lbs! I'm in process of converting the engine to cop's which is the reason for different valve covers in the two posted pics. Any specific questions..just ask.
if it was SOHC i'd suggest this... and I know lots of people are pushing edelbrock to make one for the DOHC. Might be worth asking around. http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/mc/manifolds/ford/victor-46.shtml
1949-53 Ford frames are very similar so this would be the guys to talk with: http://www.hanksvillehotrods.com/Products/FordModularMotorConversionKits/tabid/570/Default.aspx there si some additional text here:http://books.google.com/books?id=foBb0G1lykgC&pg=PA193&lpg=PA193&dq=4.6 Shoebox Ford&source=bl&ots=5jPx_uCygA&sig=kcZgAeDbI5a9SrWRXukx_z16SiU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mRerU_XMMoagyASNk4HQBw&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=4.6 Shoebox Ford&f=false You have to click on "next" to bring up the article. I would think steering box clearance might be an issue because the 4.6 is wide.
Some added info for the op.....most of the 4.6 variations are going to have advantages and disadvantages over each other. Being a dohc Mustang, the oem exhaust manifolds are going to be the ones with the most clearance available. I had to replace my Mark viii's with '01 cobra manifolds. From there I bought an off road downpipe/h-pipes and modified them to fit between the crossmember and floorboards. Note the exhaust manifolds for a SOHC are round ports, and the DOHC are oval ports, so whatever you get there has to be for a DOHC. Your throttle body is going to be in an easier place to work with than mine. Mine was on the end of the intake, extending about 3 1/2" back from the plane of the bellhousing. Is your's the supercharged version? I wouldn't worry about the cost of parts compared to fe's..there are so many variations of the 4.6 out there, it's easy to find parts to adapt your engine to your install....Also, any auto Zone or whatever has most of what you'll need readily available. I found a thermostate housing off a 4.6 Crown Vic that took care of a problem with one of the cooling hoses wanting to hit my control arm. A Lincoln Continental has a front sump oil pan (you'll need the oil pick up also) if you need to go the front sump route for your application. One problem you will run into....the engines are metric, and also, Ford loves those Springlock fittings, so you'll need adapters to AN fittings (or whatever??). I found all of the fittings/adapters I needed at www.purechoicemotorsports.com They are great people to work with and guide you thru what you need and how to do it.They are in Lake Havasu, Az. Unique to the 4.6 DOHC, is the proportions...it's wider than it is long. In fact it's about 6-8" wider than a big block 460! That obviously makes for more room for cooling fans, but less room for things like power brake boosters. You will not have room for a va***n brake booster. You could spend a grand or so for an electric booster, or go for a hydroboost unit from a '01 up Mustang....your donor car may have that setup on it. I did have to have a special power steering reservoir made with 2 return line fittings..one from the PS, and one from the hydroboost. It can be seen in my first pic. Steering clearance: A long time before I made the decision to go for the 4.6dohc, I had already converted my steering to power rack and pinion. I have no clearance issues at all, except I had to push my engine back another 1/2 from it's original placement to clear the bellhousing/rack. ****** linkage: It's a cable operated shifter...I adapted the Mark viii shifter to my console. Doing that also gives you the od ****on and shift indicator. I did not have to alter my transmision tunnel or firewall whatsoever. I know the above pertains to my '57, not a '53, but some things to think about
Wow...tons of great info! This is for the 55' not the 53'. Sorry I should have clarified. My options I am trying to weigh are is there anything to do to the 272 within $1500 bucks that will add enough power to run half way decent or all out swap for 4.6
With only a $1500 budget and the cost of y-block parts you might think about this: Then you start with this and start adapting: http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-UNIVER...Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac5bfefb0&vxp=mtr You can run it with a Carb to keep costs down.
Thanks Jeff. I know its not even considered a budget to most but thats about what I have to spend on driveline at the time. May just bet the y block running good and splurge on 93 at BP for now
If it's any consolation on your apparent decision not to go with the 4.6 dohc, her's some more info I found out today that will probably finalize that decision. I talked to 55 and 56 owners today at the NSRA show in Pueblo that had both done the 4.6 dohc swap, and got the same input from both. They will NOT fit the stock front frame/suspension, and both had installed a Fatman clip to facilitate the drivetrain. I know the '54 Merc I had mentioned earlier in this thread had a different front clip as well.
I've got to tease you a bit....Might as well post a pic..this is a super sanitary '55 (I'm pretty sure) with a '56 dash. I didn't get a full body shot, so I can't confirm the year by the body trim. BTW, Pure Choice Motorsports makes metric to an-6 Banjo fittings that would have eliminated all that clutter of elbows and adapters on the hydroboost.
While I can appreciate the skill and workmanship involved in such a swap for some reason I think it looks out of place in a 50's car as does those Chevy LS motors,guess that H.A.M.B. "traditional" is really instilled in my old brain
LOL...probably the same "different" as a Cad or Olds overhead valve was in a 30's and 40's car back in the 50's. Sure beats the 350 chev syndrome/plague by a mile, imho. When I first started thinking this direction about 8 years ago, very few examples were to be found, and installation info was almost non-existent. In the past few years it's been imposible to go to any sizable show without seeing them..the Ford versions I'm talking about. Hell, by the time I get mine done, it's gonna be a run-of-the-mill (pun intended) install..not so unusual as I had intended.
I honestly have been thinking about doing a Coyote swap in my 55. I have a friend that can get into insurance auctions to buy a totaled one. My only problem is that I want mine on the road now. So may hold up and do it when I find the wife's truck. There was a video of a guy who had a 55 with a mustang swap in it. Not sure which one it was but he used almost the whole car to build the 55 including the newer mustang interior.
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