[brandonstowell]

I have a 74 ford courier that I would like to put a 302 in does anyone have any information that would help me complete this swap.

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Not a good swap. The engine compartment is too short for the long Ford engine. Firewall has the heater unit in the center. A 3.8 Buick or a 4.3 Chevy make better swaps.

[Old Hemi]

I don't know about the Courrier, I put a 318& 904 in a 89 Ram 50 without cutting the fire wall. I used the short water pun\mp froma 58 Ply. 318, it fit under the hood and behind the grill.

OLD HEMI

[Old Hemi]

I got to thinking ( hard to do ) that the length of the 302 would be the biggest problem, I haven't worked with Fords much except the FE engines.
My problem with the 318 was the exhaust manifolds, R side no prblem L side was custom fabricated, used the 58 Ply. short water pumpand modified pullies. I would stick it in the truck and start measuring.

OLD HEMI

[KB2ROCKET]

I have seen it done before but Im ot sure what was involved
BUT the Courier was fords early version before the 83 to 88 rangers
.
I have a 88 v8 ranger and I can tell you what was needed to do this swap
1. you need to take a hammer to the seam where the firewall meets the floor pan
2. cut the corner off the air box where the the right valve cover would hit it and then epoxy it back on backwards so it is concaved
3. get a remote oil filter adapter because the oil filter will interfere
4.remove and block off the fuel pump as it will also interfere and run a remote electric pump
5. replace the radiator with one that mounts under its support rather than aft of it the ( james Duff ) unit might work
6. v8 ranger headers might work or explorer or maverick manifolds
7. a c4 automatic is the easyest to instal
8. what does the courier use for a rear axle? if its a 8 inch you should be ok I think thats what they offered in the early 70's
9.custom engine mounts & a trans cross member plate
10. I would suggest finding a ranger forum like the ranger station there are a few different ones out there you might even find someone else that has installed a v8 in a courier (im sure it has been done several times)
.
here is some good info. for you to get a good understanding of what it takes http://www.ford-forums.com/ford-cour...r-v8-swap.html

[matt167]

Originally Posted by KB2ROCKET

I have seen it done before but Im ot sure what was involved
BUT the Courier was fords early version before the 83 to 88 rangers
.
I have a 88 v8 ranger and I can tell you what was needed to do this swap
1. you need to take a hammer to the seam where the firewall meets the floor pan
2. cut the corner off the air box where the the right valve cover would hit it and then epoxy it back on backwards so it is concaved
3. get a remote oil filter adapter because the oil filter will interfere
4.remove and block off the fuel pump as it will also interfere and run a remote electric pump
5. replace the radiator with one that mounts under its support rather than aft of it the ( james Duff ) unit might work
6. v8 ranger headers might work or explorer or maverick manifolds
7. a c4 automatic is the easyest to instal
8. what does the courier use for a rear axle? if its a 8 inch you should be ok I think thats what they offered in the early 70's
9.custom engine mounts & a trans cross member plate
10. I would suggest finding a ranger forum like the ranger station there are a few different ones out there you might even find someone else that has installed a v8 in a courier (im sure it has been done several times)
.
here is some good info. for you to get a good understanding of what it takes http://www.ford-forums.com/ford-cour...r-v8-swap.html

The Courier is completely diffrent than the Ranger, although they are both Mazda Trucks, that is all they have in common.. Courier is a close relation to the Mazda B1800. the Ranger is a close relation to the B2000 series

[KB2ROCKET]

well at least the info in my attached link is still helpful
.
is the courier unibody or frame?
.
in either case its been done several times just google "v8 courier" or "302 courier" or "5.0 courier"
.
the info is out there or you could do like we used to do in the 70's just dive in and figure it out

[matt167]

They are still a Framed vehicle. I did notice the link and in that thread ,if Hooker still makes the swap in kit, or even just the headders, it should be fairly easy

[KB2ROCKET]

http://www.hotrodcourier.com/

[KB2ROCKET]

ignore this post it contained a improper link
please see the post below

[KB2ROCKET]

its almost to easy to get information now without even getting off the couch

http://fordcouriercollector.com/

[Old Rob]

The small block ford 221, 260, 289, 302, will fit into the Courier truck with out major cutting. No firewall cutting is needed. Have done many of these starting in 1973. Goto www.photobucket.com/V8courier
www.photobucket.com/v8datsun
www.photobucket.com/v8luv
for pics of swap and wild truck.

[KB2ROCKET]

the photo bucket link didnt work for me
.
wow this is an old thread
.
ironic I just came back from my monthly ride in the ranger

[fiscus]

You probably will need to cut the firewall and move the heater box back. I have a 1982 courier on a 1975 bronco frame and thats what the previous owner did. He also cut out part of the inner fenders. Also to change the rear spark plug you need to go through a hole in the firewall from under the dash!

[Old Rob]

You DO NOT have to cut the firewall in a Courier to install a SB Ford V8 with a C4 or 4 speed. You do need to use the early short water pump. Production engine adapters that use the stock Ford cushions, need to welded in as per instructions. A production rear bolt in rear xmember, using stock ford cushion to complete the mounting. Change the driveshaft to a one piece approx 50" long. An aluminum chevy outlet radiator for cooling and either buy production fenderwell headers or have some custom made. There is not enough room to even consider going down between the engine and frame. The heater hoses need to be moved, but the heater assembly will stay in its original location. You can also have AC, thou its a little tight. If you get all the pieces together, you can do the swap in about 40 hours. Fastest one we ever did was just under 36 hours, drive it in, drive it out sans exhaust system. Pics are available of some in several magazines from the mid late 70's. Truckin mag had a whole step by step conversion in thier mag and their yearly truck book.