1952-59 Ford So, what would be the best donor car for a 5.0 swap?

I have about decided to do the 5.0 swap in the 55. I have been laboring over this decision for months. I talked with Floyd Dutton, the guy with the Edsel wagon. He has logged 50K miles on his car in the last few years. That's when I decided that's what I wanted. He loves his. He has one in his custom Edsel ranchero with 250K on it.

I have perusing the old CL looking for a complete car. My reasoning is I would like to drive the car and make my ***essment of the condition prior to removing. I could then pull the moto/trans at my leisure. I could also take the harness and computer etc.

So, I have been looking at Mercury Grand Marquis, Mustangs, Crown Victorias, Lincoln Mark VII, Towncars etc.

Any other ideas?

A couple I have found.

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/5972637224.html
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/5966548313.html

 

I would be inclined to go with the Lincoln. Probably driven much easier than the Marquis and taken better care of.. The 33K on the marquis seems like it would be 133K based on the year. If your looking for a trip cruiser make sure they have an AOD (which I ***ume both have). A look underneath should tell how much each have been driven in bad weather.

If your good at working with the fuel injection, go with that. Otherwise, change over to a carb.

 

One good part of either is the factory serpentine front accessory drive. I think on the Lincoln the a/c may be on the p***enger side of the motor. That may just be on the Mk's though.

 

I like the idea of fuel injection, but I don't know if it is worth the h***le. I figured I could keep it in case I ever changed my mind. Man, 160 hp is pretty lame. I hafta to remind myself it's a cruiser.

 

I have a 5.0 HO motor in my 53 F100. It was rated at 175 hp in 84. I replaced the CFI (throttle body) fuel injection with a Edelbrock intake and 500 com carb. Also used the AOD. It is fun to drive with all the scoot I need.

 

Then there is this one. I could just offer to buy the motor only?
http://springfield.craigslist.org/cto/5974257844.html

This one looks too good to be true.
http://stillwater.craigslist.org/cto/5969364926.html

This guy lives in my town. The clean up work seems to have been done.
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/5959931008.html

 

Motor looks to be a decent deal, you should ask if he has all the bolts for the a/c compressor, power steering pump etc. Better even to have the original comp, pump, etc for mock up.

 

Of course, it looks like it has never been started since the work was completed. I still like the idea of driving the car first. So, my ac is on the p*** side on my Y block. What serpentines would have a similar setup?

 

My vote is also for the Lincoln

 

I would grab this one: http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/5926116107.html Best AOD's were 1989-93 these had the later lubrication upgrades and improved valve body and were still non computer transmissions.

 

I am not sure which 302 had the a/c compressor on the p***enger side, but it was the exception to all that I have seen. While looking for belt routing diagrams once I saw one that did but don't recall which vehicle it was. The setup I am using in my 55 is on the driver side and has worked out fine. Same as my F100 but I did a nicer job of running the lines.

 

I am kinda leaning towards a carb, just for ease and cost. Wouldn't the van be a 351? I am skeptical about the mileage, but it's worth a look.

 

Anyone done this swap on a running driving car? I am looking at a timframe for the car being down.

 

Another thing is the radiator if you are keeping your stock one is the lower hose on the same side as you donor engine ? If you keep the EFI fuel mileage will be better and if you all ready have the mating ECM I would keep it. If you swap to a Carb and intake you will be spending more bucks for the intake,Carb and a different distributor and more down time. I would also have these on hand also: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hedman-8840...ash=item5416ee6e30:g:qusAAOSwnDxUiAfc&vxp=mtr If you keep the computer and EFI you will need to install a bung in them for the O2 sensors unless the stock manifolds will clear. Then you need to think about the drive shaft if you keep the stocker you will need a conversion U-Joint to adapt the AOD front yoke also you will need the LOKAR AOD kit http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hedman-8840...ash=item5416ee6e30:g:qusAAOSwnDxUiAfc&vxp=mtr if you go Carb if you keep the EFI you can adapt the gas pedal and linkage to your car.

 

That stuff seems cheap enough. What wiring harness did you use? I ***ume I will need one to keep the fuel injection.

Oil pickup tube for a Bronco?

If I get motor/transmission, will I still need the Lokar AOD kit? I would think all of the linkage would stay?

 

Oil pick up tube is a Melling 68-S Autozone has them about $11 if the counter guy asks what car tell him a '68 Mustang 289. Is the whole wiring system in the car OEM stock now ?

 

Add the info on this discussion to the Faqs

 

I think most of it is probably there, if I would just get motivated and do a search.

 

It has been rewired, but I am talking about the stand alone harness for the Fuel Injection.
Like this one. Hoping for a cheaper version.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/frpp-efi-harness-8693.html

 

I would think if you have the harness and ECM from the donor you would not need that you only would have to adapt the power leads. This should apply to any earlier Ford EFI swap: http://midnightdsigns.com/Mustang/EFI Swap - Wiring.htm Check out youtube.com there should be some videos on doing this too.

 

'85 and up 302's are factory roller motors. Definitely stick to '85 and up. I personally would buy '87-93 from a fox body mustang. Just my .02

 

That's top on my CL search.

 

I did this swap in my 54....love the 302/AOD combo and have driven it over 5,000 miles.

I'd grab the newest Crown Vic I could find that still had the 302/AOD combo in it....post 1988 for sure though...you want to be sure you get a roller 302.

 

So, Any advice since you have done the whole swap?

 

Exception the 1986 was a freak, it had flat top pistons with zero valve reliefs and the equally bad E6 heads it is a one year only some 1985-87 5.0's that were not H.O's still had a flat tappet cam.

 

I'm in the process of this right now. I found a 93 tbird 5.0ho with 42092 miles on it! I felt like having the whole running vehicle would make the swap a lot easier. This website is is filled with tons of info on the efi swap
http://www.protowrxs.com/OldFuelInjection/page1.html

And this one has pretty much lists on what you would pick up front wheel junkyard

http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...aod-drive-train-into-a-61-79-f100-f250-truck/

My nieghbor has done several 5.0 efi in mustangs and said it's really straight forward. He convinced me to do the efi because his daily driven 67 starts up every time regardless of weather!
Good luck!

 

What do you guys think? https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/pts/5983911446.html

I go back and forth. My old Y block runs good, but is starting to have quite a bit of blow by. I think about keeping it togerther and next winter, pull the motor and ******, rebuild and do the AOD adaptor. I don't know. This makes my head hurt.

 

Here's what I think. Keep the y block and put the AOD behind it. A fresh rebuilt y block will be more than adequate for what you want. It also will go back in without changing alot of things which will save you some dollars. You can get 300 hp out of a y block fairly easy and you will have something not alot of people see anymore. I can't think of any reason to put a 5.0 in your car at all.

 

I sent an email to Ted Eaton to see what he would charge to overhaul my Y block. we will see what comes of it. I don't need a hot motor for this car, just reliable and not so much smoke out of the road draft tube.