just looking to see if anyone has some pics of a FE in a 55-56 ford,engine mount and trans crossmember pics,issues with drivers side exhaust manifold to steering box clearance? any input would be appreciated.. thanks,MERRELL
Most use the 302 or 351w , but I have seen many with Fe 390 in them before . The problem you will run into will be the space that you are going to need at the firewall and trans tunnel . The 302 are very close so you are going to have to do some metal work I would think . cross member for the trans you will have to make . You will also have to make your own headers due to space with the steering box . I would invest in one of those light weight mock up blocks or a real block to see where you are going to run into problems . I have no idea what engine mounts to use . I believe Speedway / Summit / Jegs has those metal tube engine mount cross members that you weld in . You will also need a front mount oil pan . Hope this helps some . Retro Jim
332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum Give this forum a shot...........sure there are plenty of FEs in 52/56 Fords there. Mark
i got one in my 54 mercury, its got stock manifolds, very close to steering box, the firewall is stock just needs modification for trans tunnel if yah use a c6. i think the motor mounts are stock just reversed? im not 100% sure of that though
My buddy's dad had a '54 with a sideoiler medium riser in it, pretty nice engine with a Shelby Dominator manifold, 3spd w/OD, a '65 Shelby 9"/Locker/3.89's, LTD disc brakes and the LTD 15" wheels with some funky spinner hubcaps, and a 40 gal gas tank in the trunk- would have made a helluva likker car. Installation was pretty easy, he just turned the mounts around backwards and bolted it in, using log manifolds. He was about 65 at the time, used to cruise it around in its faded green paint, ****ies shirt and arm on the window sill, and just embarr*** the hell out of kidz in Camaros
Had a 352 in a '54 Ford that somebody else had built with homemade headers, trans mount [for '53 Lincoln Hydro], and aluminum spacers in the front coils. Don't remember seeing any sheet metal or frame mods. First thing I had to do was replace the old springs, used a set out of the 'yard from a '58 Ford V 8 wagon. I'd say heavier front springs will be a must do to have decent handling. Eventually replaced the rotted out headers with a cast iron set [unknown year/body] from the 'yard and my homemade exhaust pipes to duals hung under the rear seat area. Remember close fits, did the swap myself in one long evening in a small crowded barn and no lift so it couldn't have gone too bad. Starter service was a bear, had to remove the right motor mount and jack the engine a couple inches or so to get it out. IIRC the front crossmember was the issue, can't remember if the headers or iron manifolds were on it when I did it. C/O the bearings from the bottom once. Had to disconnect the motor mounts, jack the engine till something hit the body, turn ithe crank to one position, and then the pan could be twisted out. Was a good combination after I got the bugs sorted out. a real sleeper. Ed
Did the install in my 55 Fairlane without any major issues. Just recently help do a 351 swap and the FE was much simpler. One thing you should do before the install is grind down the humps on the upper control arm brackets. You can reuse the Y block motor mounts and even the clutch bracket at the rear of the engine. I hooked my Fe up to a toploader 4 speed so all I had to do for the ****** mount is notch the factory crossmember bown about an inch. Here's the link. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345308 Good luck
My 66 352 in my 56 sedan. This was a common swap. So common that I resisted using an FE until a great deal fell into my lap. This 352 had the bolt holes to accept the 56 292 mounts. I added 1/4" spacer plates between the mounts and the crossmember for a little more clearance. (someone here suggested that) I was told that the 58 Ford 352 exhaust manifolds work but they are so restrictive that I built my own headers. Not ultra HP but not bricks either. Crites makes headers for this swap if you want an automatic. I wanted to reuse the 56 3 spd w/OD. so I made my own headers purposefully in an early 60s style made for engine swaps and not all out performance. I trimmed the flange where the upper control arm bolts on for added clearance. The trans bolted right back in where it came from. I did have to modify my 6cyl Z bar clutch ball mount to fit the holes on the 352 block. I reused the 6cy Z bar so the linkage is mostly stock. This is my first FE so I don't know the details of using a Ford top loader but it can't be too difficult. I did have to locate a special pilot bushing to use the 56 trans but it was not hard to find. I'm getting excited. It won't be too long before I can start it up and make some noise. I just finished rebuilding a generator for it complete with a Cal custom stainless gen. cover. I couldn't stand the 66 alternator. I'm trying real hard for the early 60s look. I hope some of these ramblings help some.
That is really a lot of extra work. A good stout rebuilt Y block will emar*** most of those "other" engines.
Use stock Y block mounts turned around so they bolt to the FE ad a 1/4 spacer between the mount and block ,59-60 T brid manifolds and redrill the stock trans mount and grind a little off the A arm mount and A little off the sterring box. Use 6cly radiator mounts on the V8 radiator and use the 6cly splash pan
First engine swap I ever did was a '62 390 into a '55 Ford. It had to be very simple because I really didn't know a hell of a lot back then. I don't remember turning the mounts around and I used the 4-speed that came with the motor, so there were no trans tunnel issues. I did have to mess with the trans crossmember a bit.
wingman; i did the same swap as you..352 in a 56 ford.. I reversed the motor mounts and moved the radiator a head about an inch. Probalbly didn't have to,but back then I had limited tools & knowledge.. Was a real easy swap..think the stock exhaust bolted up as well..used the stock 3 speed from the 56..had to get a truck bellhousing /clutch & pressure plate. But then again, did it a LONG time ago. Rick =======================================
tommy, your FE looks awesome!,thanks everyone for the input,i ended up using stock mounts with 1/4 in plates under them and made a crosmember for the c6,grinded a little off the steering box and used 62 t bird manifolds,theres a 1/2 in clearance on both sides,i will post pics soon!
Here is an FE 406 in a '57 300 post sedan. It is impressive to ride in. It sits you back in the seat when accelerating. It feels a lot like the sensation you would feel if seated in a p***enger jet when it is taking off. Normbc9
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