I've been contemplating an FE/C6 swap on my 54 Ford, So I've been reading through the "sticky", and other threads on the HAMB about installing an FE motor. What I can gather is that an FE will basically bolt in to my 54, but that there are clearance issues between the Driver's side exhaust manifold and the steering box. And it appears the C6 will fit as well, with a little trans tunnel m***aging. But, a lot of the info is second hand or recited from distant memory. Can anyone give me a first-hand account of an FE install in a 54? Would I be better off just using a 302? I am pretty mechanical, but if I have to build a set of headers to make it work then it's more than I want to tackle. Thanks.
Don't know firsthand about an FE in a '54, but I did put a 351W in my '54 Club Coupe with a Tremec 3550. It's a pretty tight fit. Firewall clearance is ok but not what I would like. Radiator clearance is not ideal either. I have to run a front mounted fan which I don't really like. I have the Jeep Cherokee power steering box also along with the 289 HiPo cast iron headers which I had to m***age in a couple of places for clearance on the left side. Other than that, it looks pretty good. A 302/5.0 would have been a better choice as far as more room around the engine compartment. Hope this helps.
My buddy installed a 390FE with 700R4 in a 53/54 Lincoln Capri. Yup he had to make the headers from scratch and it was really tight around the steering box. That car moved out really nicely when it was done though.
Flyboy89 - Thanks for the info. I was also looking at a Cleveland as a possibility; but I was worried about running into the same issues as an FE. Your input is appreciated! Adriatic Machine - That is exactly what I was afraid of! I've heard stories of stock exhaust manifolds being such a tight fit that it boiled the oil in the steering box. And scratch building a set of headers is WAY more than I'm prepared to tackle. Thanks!
Look up this west coast drag racer, Cal Wells. He ran a '54 Ford with a 352 that was a screamer. He even made his own intakes. There was a Car Craft article on him, I wish I could find the issue.
Click on this from "Sticky" Post # 96 https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/faq-sticky.897329/page-4 Pictures of a 390 installed. It would also be to your advantage if the the original motor was the 223 Six, as the radiator is mounted further forward because of a difference in the sheet metal.
Thanks JeffB2- Looks like close quarters in that engine bay! I'd be interested to know what exhaust manifolds he is running? Several people have stated that the 1958 manifolds are the best fit but they are hard to come by. And I have no experience fabbing headers. It's obviously "possible" to install an FE; I'm starting to doubt if it's practical for me.
An FE/C6 is doable if you can find all the right parts and you've done your share of swaps before but, a 302/AOD is basically a bolt in. All the info you'll need is in the FAQ area.
If they are around, look at the 1968-ish Mustang 390 exhaust manifolds, I let some go for s**** after my '78 car accident and divorce.
The FE swap has other downsides if you follow some of the FE Forums, cost of aftermarket parts are probably at the top of the list with intakes even used topping $400+ used and not easy to come by, FE's have never been known for being easy on gas as well. Kind of makes those 5.0 aka 302's and the 351 aka 5.8's look pretty attractive.
Looking back on the '54 build I probably should have gone with the 302/5.0 instead. There would have been less modifying and more room around the engine compartment. Not going to change it now. I've got enough money tied up in this project and its not done yet. Just trying to finish painting, gl*** and interior, tires, chrome, etc, etc, etc.
The FE is closer to being a bolt-in than a Windsor. The OEM Y-block mounts bolt to the FE and when turned 180 degrees drop the motor right in. The '58' log-style manifolds you speak of aren't all that uncommon. Ford used those well into the 70s on various full-size cars and trucks, it's the Mustang/Fairlane variety that won't fit. As far as headers, you might try Ford Powertrain Applications. They don't show one for a '54 with stock steering, but some judicious tube bashing on the '55-56 versions may be all that's needed. May be worth a call... The big issue with installing a Windsor (or any other Ford V8 introduced in the '60s) in the '50s bodies is Ford changed the cylinder offset. All of the pre-60s V8 motors had the drivers side cylinder bank as 'leading' and the firewall was designed taking this into account. They reversed this for all of the later V8s, presumably to give more space for the increasingly popular AC. This causes the head to get very close to the firewall on the drivers side, most guys push the motor forward to correct this but now you need to move the radiator also. It doesn't help that the Windsor is slightly longer to boot. Engine weight isn't a factor, the FE only weighs 25 lbs more than a Y-block. An aluminum intake erases that difference. The downsides to a FE swap is yeah, they're not as cheap to build although if you don't get carried away with all the trick parts now available you can still do a 'budget build'. And poor transmission choices. There's only two automatics easily available; the Cruisomatic/FMX or a mileage-killing C6. Any other automatic will have to be adapted. Doing a manual is easier, a bit of work with the clutch linkage and it's in. But worth the effort IMO. There's no subs***ute for the low-mid range torque hit from more inches. This was a very popular swap in the early '60s as hi-compression 352s and 390s started turning up in a wrecking yards.
Speaking about the 5.0 aka 302 this article just might get interesting as it progresses. https://www.fordmuscle.com/tech-sto...er-with-project-retro-5-0-on-the-engine-dyno/
Thanks Crazy Steve and everyone else for the input. It's looking like I will be going with a 302. My 54 Ford came with a Butch's kit to install a 302/C4 that the previous owner included. I also have a 1986 WC T5 that I've been sitting on for about 20 years that I could possibly use. I had almost talked myself into putting the T5 behind the old 223. Yesterday I came across a 302 that needs a rebuild but was too cheap to p*** up. Currently looking for a reasonable C4...unless I talk myself into the T5...
Butch's was bought out by https://shoebox-central.com/ Pretty sure you can also use the kit you have with a AOD which would give you a .67 Overdrive.
Thanks Jeff- I hope your right. I'd much prefer an AOD, and they are a lot easier to find around here. Also it's my understanding that the AOD uses the 164 tooth flex plate, which is what I have on this 302.
This is different between a C4 and the AOD make sure you have the correct one https://www.cjponyparts.com/aod-tra...qragUpG1qaojZ9XZugpOWL6xqFv1H5UAaAp3XEALw_wcB What year is the 302 ? There are different balance factors in the flexplates.
You should have the earlier 28 ounce balance factor then, after 1982 most all were the 50 ounce this may tell you if your parts match up https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/the-secret-to-balancing-small-block-fords/ Most 302s aka 5.0s that had the AOD were 50 ounce (1982 and later)
As noted, the AOD flexplate won't be right on your 302. Now, sometimes the C4 flexplates work, sometimes they don't... FWIW, the aftermarket does offer a specific 'conversion' flexplate for this swap, it may be cheap insurance to prevent having to pull the trans if yours doesn't quite work.
This would be the correct flexplate with the AOD and a 28 ounce balance factor. https://blueprintengines.com/produc...tooth-steel-external-28oz-imbalance-bppf28164
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