Modular engine swap in Mustang II
3/1/11, 05:09 PM
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Modular engine swap in Mustang II
I don't currently own one, but my first car was a '76 lt blue coupe and I really want to get another one. But my plan is to attempt to drop a modular 5.0 in it
. Has anyone tried this before with a 4.6L? I am not sure if the engine bay is wide enough to clear the valve covers. Any comments or suggestions welcome. As well as any leads on potential project cars for sale out there.
. Has anyone tried this before with a 4.6L? I am not sure if the engine bay is wide enough to clear the valve covers. Any comments or suggestions welcome. As well as any leads on potential project cars for sale out there.
3/1/11, 06:24 PM
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If you've got time and money, anything can work. I forgot which but either 5.0 Mustang magazine or Muscle Mustangs is doing a 4.6 swap into an '89 complete with the ECU and wiring. A 3-valve 4.6 from the 05-09 Stang
Since they had 302's I would venture a guess that a 281 would fit. A cowl hood would clear the top more than likely.
Also in the For Sale section you could post in the Wanted if anyone has one. Depending how much you're willing to travel there's always a few on ebay
Since they had 302's I would venture a guess that a 281 would fit. A cowl hood would clear the top more than likely.
Also in the For Sale section you could post in the Wanted if anyone has one. Depending how much you're willing to travel there's always a few on ebay
Last edited by Grand Marquis427; 3/1/11 at 06:28 PM.
3/2/11, 01:12 AM
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A Mod motor is wider than the old 429/460 block engines. Considering a 302 barely fits in the bay I think you'd be hard pressed to get a Mod in there, especially a 4v, without basically rebuilding the front end from scratch.
3/2/11, 01:45 AM
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^ What he said.
Working on a II the 302 seems to really be the biggest engine they wanted to be put in the car. I have not measured, so I can not say definitively, but I do not think that the Mod motor would fit.
Working on a II the 302 seems to really be the biggest engine they wanted to be put in the car. I have not measured, so I can not say definitively, but I do not think that the Mod motor would fit.
3/2/11, 01:47 AM
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you can fit anything in if you want. I've seen 460s, 4.6s and even a lightning 5.4.
it takes some work, as it is a very wide engine but it can be done:
http://mustangii.net/46l_ii.asp
theres header issues as well as clearance for the master cylinder i think. im pretty sure its not stock in the above.
its cool but its cheaper to build up an EFI 302. all depends on what you want out of the car. but if you really want to be unique, try and shoehorn the coyote 5.0 in there though i'm not sure about its measurements
were you looking to do this yourself or do you plan on having a shop do it?
and the obligatory lightning II....
it takes some work, as it is a very wide engine but it can be done:
http://mustangii.net/46l_ii.asp
theres header issues as well as clearance for the master cylinder i think. im pretty sure its not stock in the above.
its cool but its cheaper to build up an EFI 302. all depends on what you want out of the car. but if you really want to be unique, try and shoehorn the coyote 5.0 in there
though i'm not sure about its measurementswere you looking to do this yourself or do you plan on having a shop do it?
and the obligatory lightning II....
3/2/11, 11:09 AM
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3/3/11, 10:59 AM
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Cool thanks for all the replys. I do plan on doing it myself. I own a body/mechanical shop
. I kind of anticipated to have to remove inner structure to "shoehorn" the engine in. After that it would just be a simple matter of welding everything back on. I am almost positive that the 4v is wider than the 4.6, seems logical given the dimension of the heads and the blocks being physically the same size. On the yellow II with the cobra engine. I can't tell if they made any modifications to the inner strut tower. Can anyone take a look at it vs. a stock tower and answer that?? I do remember seeing an article a long time ago with a II with a 460 in it, so I figured the 4v should fit too. Haha, now I am pumped about doing a swap. BTW that is an awesome white little CobraII
. I kind of anticipated to have to remove inner structure to "shoehorn" the engine in. After that it would just be a simple matter of welding everything back on. I am almost positive that the 4v is wider than the 4.6, seems logical given the dimension of the heads and the blocks being physically the same size. On the yellow II with the cobra engine. I can't tell if they made any modifications to the inner strut tower. Can anyone take a look at it vs. a stock tower and answer that?? I do remember seeing an article a long time ago with a II with a 460 in it, so I figured the 4v should fit too. Haha, now I am pumped about doing a swap. BTW that is an awesome white little CobraII
3/3/11, 11:06 AM
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Cool thanks for all the replys. I do plan on doing it myself. I own a body/mechanical shop. I kind of anticipated to have to remove inner structure to "shoehorn" the engine in. After that it would just be a simple matter of welding everything back on. I am almost positive that the 4v is wider than the 4.6, seems logical given the dimension of the heads and the blocks being physically the same size. On the yellow II with the cobra engine. I can't tell if they made any modifications to the inner strut tower. Can anyone take a look at it vs. a stock tower and answer that?? I do remember seeing an article a long time ago with a II with a 460 in it, so I figured the 4v should fit too. Haha, now I am pumped about doing a swap. BTW that is an awesome white little CobraII
. I kind of anticipated to have to remove inner structure to "shoehorn" the engine in. After that it would just be a simple matter of welding everything back on. I am almost positive that the 4v is wider than the 4.6, seems logical given the dimension of the heads and the blocks being physically the same size. On the yellow II with the cobra engine. I can't tell if they made any modifications to the inner strut tower. Can anyone take a look at it vs. a stock tower and answer that?? I do remember seeing an article a long time ago with a II with a 460 in it, so I figured the 4v should fit too. Haha, now I am pumped about doing a swap. BTW that is an awesome white little CobraII
3/3/11, 01:11 PM
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I don't believe the inner fenders were cut at all. it looks pretty much like mine 
the front suspension is pretty compact and doesnt take up much room in the engine bay
the front suspension is pretty compact and doesnt take up much room in the engine bay
3/7/11, 06:19 PM
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The 5.0 coyote would fit in. The biggest issue would be the oil pan or set the engine back a bunch. You would have to move the brake master cylinder to an under the dash one or a side mount one such as Kugel makes. I can measure the coyote if you need me to. I have one I am installing in my 83 mercury zephyr that the build is on this forum in the other ford area. I am planning a 5.4 in my mustang II but that may change since I have the coyote.
3/7/11, 06:22 PM
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you can fit anything in if you want. I've seen 460s, 4.6s and even a lightning 5.4.
it takes some work, as it is a very wide engine but it can be done:
http://mustangii.net/46l_ii.asp
theres header issues as well as clearance for the master cylinder i think. im pretty sure its not stock in the above.
its cool but its cheaper to build up an EFI 302. all depends on what you want out of the car. but if you really want to be unique, try and shoehorn the coyote 5.0 in there though i'm not sure about its measurements
were you looking to do this yourself or do you plan on having a shop do it?
and the obligatory lightning II....
it takes some work, as it is a very wide engine but it can be done:
http://mustangii.net/46l_ii.asp
theres header issues as well as clearance for the master cylinder i think. im pretty sure its not stock in the above.
its cool but its cheaper to build up an EFI 302. all depends on what you want out of the car. but if you really want to be unique, try and shoehorn the coyote 5.0 in there
though i'm not sure about its measurementswere you looking to do this yourself or do you plan on having a shop do it?
and the obligatory lightning II....
3/8/11, 07:11 AM
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Well I took the first step. I bought me a 1978 unmolested coupe for 400.00 bucks!! I think it's gonna cost me more in freight
. Oh well but I just wanted a clean untouched example to start with...Now if I could steal me a 2011 5.0, I mean buy one
Time to start searching the yards more intensely. The one's I have found truly know what they got, with time and patience I will find a good deal, I know it.
. Oh well but I just wanted a clean untouched example to start with...Now if I could steal me a 2011 5.0, I mean buy one Time to start searching the yards more intensely. The one's I have found truly know what they got, with time and patience I will find a good deal, I know it.
3/9/11, 09:25 AM
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The thing about using a junk yard engine is make sure you get all of the controls because the control pack that one buys with the crate engine will not work with the mustang engine. It makes a no start condition. At least it does if you put the crate motor into a 2011 mustang so I am sure the opposite does too. I have no idea why Ford did that but they did, probably something to do with emissions or something that the EPA passed. Probably another thing where The United States Government is protecting us from ourselves again and spending more $$$$$$$$$$$$ we don't have!
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