Hey you all. I posted in the Wanted section for info on a pair of exhaust manifolds for my 1959 Lincoln Premier. Has a 430 engine in it now. Toying with the idea of putting an FE in the place of the 430 engine. I have some parts for the FE, but none for the 430 MEL. Has anyone swapped out a 430 for an FE? I know that the 430 has the same bell housing pattern - and that is about all I know. I would like to know about engine mounts to use, etc. BTW, if I could come up with a set of exhaust manifolds, I probably would install the 430 back into the car. Thanks for any and all help.
Exhaust manifolds are available new/reproduction from Lincoln places like LincolnLand, Baker's, and even through The Bird Nest for MELs. But, like anything else new, expect to pay dearly for them.
The similarity ends at the bellhousing pattern. Plan on all the little nickle and dime things that always catch up to you with any engine swap, no matters how simple it seemed at the start. The FE is nearly just as wide as the MEL, so exhaust manifolds are still going to be tricky. Motor mounts are different. Plus, unless you have a well built 428 sitting on the stand, it is going to be tough to match the 430's 375 Hp, and 490 ft-lbs of torque cheaply. I love all Ford engines, especially FE's and MEL's, I own multiples of both, but in the long run, it is often cheaper and easier to use the stock stuff on these rare makes and models where there isn't good aftermarket support, even if the individual piece parts may be more expensive. Good Luck.
Thanks to both replies. Yes, I have searched for some manifolds after I saw mine missing. I thought that maybe I'd get lucky and find someone posting a set for sale and see if the manifolds were the ones stolen from me. Oh well, I'll just have to find some money somewhere to start this install back. I agree with the torque and HP difference in the engines - I just know that availability of parts for the FE would be easier to find. Maybe someone will have a set of manifolds that they would part with.
There's some MEL ramhorns in the classified section right now. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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