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.51 Ford engine swap

4K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  techinspector1 
#1 ·
Hello, I am Bill and have a 1951 Ford Convertible. I have had the flat head V8 removed and am getting a 302/5.0 with automatic installed, Is there and adaptor kits for this application . What all will I have to do for this swap. I probably have already messed up by pulling the flat head. Is it easier and cheaper to go with a Chevy small block that the Ford small block. I am wanting to keep the car all Ford if possible. Thanks. Happy roding.
 
#2 ·
Welcome to the site...I wouldn't have any idea where you could get a kit to do flat head/302 swap but there are lots of guys here that I know can help and are willing to do so. I don't think you've screwed anything up, if you haven't tagged and bagged all the pieces yet, now would be a good time to do it, before you forget where things go. Even if your not planning on using the parts again, it's always a good reference point for future changes.

It might be a good idea to start another thread in the engine forum...more guys with expertise will answer your questions there.

Now, if you ever need any information or help in paint and body, I'll be happy to lend a hand where I can

All the best and again, Welcome.

Ray
 
#3 ·
#5 ·
Nothing is screwed up. The engine is out now so do a good clean up of whatever is dangling from the firewall, clean and paint the frame in front of the firewall, maybe overhaul that front suspension and possibly run some new wiring - some of that original wiring wasn't much from the factory. Then there is the change from 6V positive ground to 12V negative ground you will need to make regardless of what manufacturer's engine you use. Now, you need motor mounts bought or fabbed then welded in, a transmission mount, again, purchased or fabbed installed after you decide on what you are going to use - that original transmission, I can assure you will NOT survive even the lowest Hp 302 unless you drive like my granny, and then it's problematical. You will need a Fox body rear sump oil pan and oil pump pickup to clear the front cross member plus may need to 'drop' the drag link regardless. The rest is standard, fab work on exhaust, linkages plus gauge mods for the negative ground. Yeah, you can put a Chebbie in, but so does everyone else and it's not a bit easier with exactly the same work needed to do the job.

Do it, ask questions here and elsewhere, but before you start, and as evidently a newbie, draw up a basic plan as to what is needed and a general sequence to work to. Replacing a flathead IMO, is almost always a good idea these days unless you are really wealthy as it takes a bunch of bucks to even reach what a run of the mill 200-250Hp 302 does in stock form. If money is no object, then a fully dressed flathead - nothing sounds as good or looks and nice in a '49-'53 Ford.

Dave W
 
#8 ·
The one thing I would caution you on is to document the placement and thickness of any shims you remove to take off fenders, etc. If you don't get the shims back in just the way they came out, the seams of the parts will not line up and the car will look like a hack job.

I stopped going to amateur auto shows just for this reason. Got tired of looking at improper gaps and relationships between panels.
 
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