I'm putting a early 302 in my '46 sedan, does anyone have any pics of this engine in this car i'm curious about the firewall fit. I don't want to have to chop up the firewall if i don't have to. Any pics will be helpful! Thanks
Although I built a '47 Ford a few years ago, I have not done this particular swap. But, probably like you, I know it has been done. I can't imagine the need to alter the firewall for a small block Ford. The SBF can be a little long, but like Chevy's there are two lengths of water pumps and the appropriate pulleys that can be used. The shorter should do the trick if the longer is too much for radiator/fan clearance. And, congratulations for NOT putting another SBC in a Ford. Ray
It's not the length of the engine that the problem. It's the location of the oil pump sump. You will have to use a rear sump pan or cut the firewall. If you install a MII kit it will have a lower front cross member that will clear the front sump pan. Now you know why so many early Fords have Chevy engines.
I have a dual sump pan and it clears the MII perfectly. I'm curious on the firewall and the chopping of it. The engine is approx 2" longer than a SBC w/a short waterpump. I know somebody has done this swap, i'd just like to look at pics and see where stuff ends up. Thanks for the input.
I think those were available with 6 cylinder motors unlike the 40 and earler so I would think there should be enough room for a sbf even with the longest water pump without cutting the firewall.
For info on use of the early water pumps to shorten the SBF click on this: www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=303600 scroll down to post #5
If you use a 6 cyl radiator in the ford it sits 4" closer to the front of the car,giving you some more room.Mine was a 6 cyl car and the radiator is 4 core. Now don't beat on me,but I have a 400 chevy in mine with A/C and it runs 180 all day.so it will cool a 302.Upper hose is in the center and the bottom is on the p***.side.(but I think you can get a ford water pump that exits on the p***. side.) Has anyone used a van oil pan? The sump is in the center,It may work for you. good luck Russ
The Ford V8's from 221- 351W can be fitted with factory parts that will make it slightly shorter than the short w/p sbc. Combine that with the fact that the distributor is in the front and it can be a quite friendly engine to swap. The front cover/ water pump setup I am talking about was fitted to the`94- `95 Mustang and `91- `95 T- bird and all Explorers with the 5.0 engine. The only thing is that it's a serpantine belt system. It is a more tidy looking front dress for the Fords and is very compact. Ford removed 2 + inches of engine length by eliminating the fuel pump drive and placing the water pump farther back into the front cover. Yes you would have to run an elec fuel pump (no big whoop) but you gain alot of room and factory engineered components that are easy to find and a water pump that can be bought at the local parts store should it need to be replaced down the road. I would not use the dual sump pan. I would use the rear sump truck pan from any van or truck built in the `80's or `90's with that engine. The front drain plug can be a pain in the neck because it is over the crossmember. Speaking of which the `41- `48 Fords DO NOT need a firewall recess to move the engine behind the stock front crossmember. On these cars the crossmember is deeper and will clear the rear sump pan. This is a great article full of info: http://cl***icbroncos.com/tech/explorer-5-0-serpentine-accessory-drive-belt-conversion So is this: http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/M8501A50/94-95-Mustang-50L-Water-Pump-Timing-Cover-Kit
I have a 46 coupe with a 351c with no firewall or crossmember mods. Have the 351m truck oil pan(double hump). The issue is you have to keep an eye on the drag link to pan clearance. a dropped spring would let it hit. Mine is all stock in the front. Its close but I have a 525? steering box in it.
We put a 302 and c4 in my dads 41 tudor last year. It fit perfectly without any firewall surgery. His has a MII front too. It is a 90 Gt 5.0 H.O., with the factory dual sump pan. We used mounts fron Speedway, but now have to fab a new driver side mount as it interferes with his steering w/ out a lot of joints and ***ociated bump steer. There are a couple pics of the engine in the car w/ the dog house off in 1 of my albums. Hope this helps Matt
My 46 has a 302. The first install it had the stock front suspension and no problems. I then put a mustang II in and still no problems and you have a ton of firewall room. I have a 3 inch spacer on the fan now with a aluminum cross flow radiator and if and when I redo the car I will move the motor forward a couple of inches. No need to worry about space
had a 302 in a '47 Coupe. did not install motor, so do not know maker of motor mounts-no pics of mounts either. used a rear sump pan. modified stock suspension and no clearance problems with running low. plenty of room for engine. ran '67 Mustang radiator-close to a perfect bolt in fit. no heating problems. had disc brake kit, Vega box which still was hard in tight turns. Mustang 8" rearend
I don't know for sure how a '40 compares to a '46, but I have a 302 with a dual sump pan in my '40 and a pic of it in my album---it might help some. The '40 has a *****in' firewall--I was told up front there would be some issues. Can't say there would have been tho---
a company in California = http://www.snowwhiteltd.com makes the Waterpump you need, kit includes an adapter plate and uses a Buick Opel waterpump. I have the 302 in my 33 Ford with original firewall and could'nt have accomplished it without their conversion kit.
I typed a long description of this installation in a 1942 Ford that I did many years ago, worked really well, but for some reason the H.A.M.B. said I was a visitor and couldn't post anything. Oh well
The Jalopy Journal
