351 windsor engine swap.

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Survival276, Jan 6, 2009.

  1. Survival276

    Survival276 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2005
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    65
    Location:
    London United Kingdom
    Vehicle:
    1970 Maverick
    Can any one help me?

    I have a 1970 (69.5) L6 200 maverick, which i would like to V8. I've been restoring it for the last few years and now i'm thinking an 8 would finish it off.

    I've made a few modifications, the main ones being, an 8" back axel from a 72 mustang and a SSBC disc brake conversion on the front.

    I have looked for a 302 engine and transmission but living in the UK they are quite sort after and there are not to many around.

    So my question(s) are.

    Will a 351 windsor, (which i'm getting for free) from an 1983/4 F350 truck fit in to my maverick?

    Could i use the engine mounts and transmission cross member that are available from autokrafters, ebay etc?

    And will the car be strong enough to handle it?

    Its a standard engine. so nothing to fast and furious

    Thanks :hmmm:
     
  2. ratio411

    ratio411 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2002
    Messages:
    6,060
    Likes Received:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    138
    Location:
    Pensacola
    Vehicle:
    1972 Sprint and 1975 Maverick
    A 351 will bolt in any place a 302 will go.
    It uses all the 302 compatable mounts, bellhousings, pulleys, etc...

    The thing that will give you fits is headers.

    They say that stock Maverick 302 iron manifolds will work...
    If you have a budget for headers, Crites Restorations is the way to go from what folks here say.
    There are others that can be used too, but are more expensive.
     
  3. Matterick

    Matterick Matt Somerville

    Joined:
    May 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,931
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    123
    Location:
    Lake Stevens WA
    Vehicle:
    1973 Maverick 302, 1971 Maverick
    try the search function. :thumbs2:
     
  4. don graham

    don graham MCG State Rep

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2002
    Messages:
    15,800
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    302
    Location:
    arizona city, az.
    Vehicle:
    70 mav, 71 grabber, 73 Comet, 2004 f-250 crew cab diesel, 2001 f-250, 2004 explorer, 2007 Gold Wing trike.
    I had a 351W in my 71. Fit with noproblems. There are headers out there. I've got a set, but not sure what company they were. I'm holding on to them just in case. But, anyway, what I wanted to say was that without doing the shock tower mods, Changing the plugs will be a nightmare. If there's any way to get a 302 I would do that. If not, check the search function for shock tower mods.:)
     
  5. Survival276

    Survival276 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2005
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    65
    Location:
    London United Kingdom
    Vehicle:
    1970 Maverick
    Wow $320 dollars for the headers! The money that people want for a 302 in the UK is pretty high, if people will part with them. Yes i can imagine changing the plugs could be a nightmare, and i don't really want to go cutting the shock towers. I'll will keep looking for a 302 but this one is free to me which is nice. And bigger ci means more power?
     
  6. don graham

    don graham MCG State Rep

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2002
    Messages:
    15,800
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    302
    Location:
    arizona city, az.
    Vehicle:
    70 mav, 71 grabber, 73 Comet, 2004 f-250 crew cab diesel, 2001 f-250, 2004 explorer, 2007 Gold Wing trike.
    If nothing else grab on to the motor and keep it around. You might find someone that wants a 351W and has a 302. You can use it for a trade.:)
     
  7. Joe Dirt

    Joe Dirt BBF life

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2008
    Messages:
    4,375
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    172
    Location:
    Cleveland, TN
    Vehicle:
    1970 ford torino #1
    Its very tight for sure.this picture might give you some kind of idea on how tight it is,The previous owner of my car started to install a 351W in it and from the looks he gave up he ised 302 header but most of the tubes are beat flat... wish he would come get his motor so i can start on my 302 swap and paint under the hood:dance:
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Mad_Max_Mav

    Mad_Max_Mav Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2006
    Messages:
    169
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    1970 Maverick, fiberglass nose, blown 351w, 5.13 geared 9" rear, TCI built c4
    i put a 351w in one of my mavs... as the others mentioned: if you really don't want to get into cutting up the car, hold out for a 302... the shock tower mod is basically a must with a 351w swap for all practical purposes. Headers can be gotten (as they mentioned) from crites and elsewhere...or a cheap set of Hooker headers can be modified (several pipes cut, repositioned, rewelded) and made to work.

    I love my 351w mav... now that the fabrication work (read: royal pain) is DONE, lol. :tiphat:
     
  9. Trevor9210

    Trevor9210 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2010
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    1973 Maverick standard coupe
    mine has a 302, thats a tight fit, im thinkin about getting a second project mav or vega and putting a 350 big block in it, but honestly, the whole thing seems like tooo much trouble. but it would make a hell o a racer
     
  10. don graham

    don graham MCG State Rep

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2002
    Messages:
    15,800
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    302
    Location:
    arizona city, az.
    Vehicle:
    70 mav, 71 grabber, 73 Comet, 2004 f-250 crew cab diesel, 2001 f-250, 2004 explorer, 2007 Gold Wing trike.
    This post is over a year old and a 350 is definitely not a big block. Also a 350 is a chevy so it would need a lot more mods to the frame. At least to put into a Maverick.:tiphat:
     
  11. Trevor9210

    Trevor9210 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2010
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    1973 Maverick standard coupe
    i appreciate that, lol, sorry about the stupidity, as i am young and still have much to learn. but i know im interested. anything else you can tell me to spare me the embarrasment of saying something dumb?
     

Share This Page