Fellow H.A.M.B.ers I am sure this is a life long question that has been asked time and time again for installing a 302 in a 53 Ford. I looked thru to older blogs and could not find enough info to satisfy my questions. I have a fresh built 302 allmost ready to install but need extra advise before I get into the install with the wrong parts. So far I have figured out the 302 into a 53 requires the rear sump and pickup tube. Question: Has anyone used the Jamco engine mounts from the Jamco 51 kit in there 53? I ask becuse the 51 kit looks like a better kit to install?? Question: Any pros or cons to share with installing the 302. a. Oil Filter? b. Header Clerance linkage w/ Three on the tree? c. Radiator clearance? e. Gas Peddel Linkage to Carb? f. Other issues? Sincerely Rob G.
Rob,no experience of the '53 Ford but have fitted a 289 in my 'A'.If you need a little extra clearance around the oil filter,you can fit Motorcraft EFL90(or equivalent) oil filter.At around 3 1/3 inches long,it's quite a bit shorter than the stock one.
Hey Rob, the 52/53 cars have a different crossmember than the 49/51 cars. Our kit was designed around the for the 49/51. I do not think it will work on the 52/52 ch***is. Beacuse of the different crossmembers, the angles and spacing will most likely be off.
I posted the info you need in the 52-56 Ford group,here is pic of a '53 with a 302 with the mounts from Speedway and the Hedman 88420 headers.
It's an easy install. We fabricated engine mounts, and slightly modified the original trans x-member. Using stock exhaust manifolds. No problems with clearance anywhere.
i got a 51 merc and we are putting a 302 with and AOD in it. We got ours out a late 80's early 90's mustang. This way we were able to use the stock oil pan and the stock shorty headers (plenty of clearance around steering column and all) we are using a short motorcraft filter. We were also able to the original trans cross member just modified it a bit. The only clearance problems we had was in the firewall we had to trim about an inch out along the top.
Van and early 302 Bronco pans and oil pump pickups give you several more options as far as clearance goes too
i put a 302 in my 53 ,i had a rear sup pan,but still ahve to cut the crossmember under the motor,i boxed it back in..i used mounts from a 70 ltd,and made frame mounts.pretty simple..i also used a aftermarket radiator..used small exuast mainfolds.. after i got tired of getting out run ,i pulled it and started a SBC install...if you really want to help the car put a s10 clip under it...drives ,stops ,steers great..and you can buy frontend/brake parts about anywhere...
Bulletproof1, My problem is I dont have a welder or the skill in the mod dept. I was hoping for a bolt in installation. I have the fox type pan so hopfully i do not have the cut the cross member etc. You must of had a stocker 302 from 1979 if you were geting out run? I bought a 302 motor and found out it was fron a 79 LTD that came 113 hp, WTFO! i am learing as I go, he hard way. Had the motor rebuilt with the right parts, i hope to stomp it doen the road. Sincerely Rob G. First time i have hear about the S-10 front clip.
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