292 to 390, 302 or Coyote

F

FordFairlane55

Junior Member
Have a 55 CV. "Restoring" as a sleeper and traveling car. Exterior/interior to be stock appearing, but high performance drive train (crate motor, AOD, 9" rear). Exterior is finished, including chrome. All front end steering parts replaced/rebuilt (box). Converted to front discs/booster and custom (wider) front steel rims/tires. Currently rewiring.

The 292 in it is, of course, not original, needs rebuild and would not provide a reliable 400+hp. Want a FORD crate engine that will drop right in, fit up easily without modification to steering or frame with aftermarket conversion parts readily available. The radiator leaks and will be replaced anyway.

Was going to a 351 derived crate, but a friend said the "W" would make things interesting with booster, box and headers and the "C" would not meet the power criteria (the few crates offered are lower). Was told a 390 would be best and has been done at least a 1,000 times, while the 460 and 427 require mods and really make things tight.

Another friend said a 302 derived crate would fit nicely (and there are many crates to choose from). Another friend said I should go with the new Coyote. While I like the Coyote, it (1) has a rear sump, (2) is FI, and (3) looks like the width might be a problem and (4) I haven't seen anyone put one in a 55/6 Fairlane yet. Again, I want drop-in, not an R&D project.

I am looking for expertise/experience info. If I go with a 302 based, how much more (work) am I getting into over a 390 and are there only certain 302's that will fit-up nicely?


Note: Please, no comments about keeping a Y block or restoring the drive train, I am building it the way I want and resale/value to someone else is not a consideration.
 
if you go with the 390, try and find an engine between66 and 68, those make the most h/p stock, after that the enviramentalist caused the power to start droping, changed head design, cam profile, poor intake design, and lower compression, in 72 the tree huggers really caused the ford company to kill the preformance on all there engines, the rest of the car companys also, ford went from 315 hp to 255 because of smog crap, stay away from engines out of mercs, they didnt put out the h/p like the ford engines, the changes are subtle so check numbers before you buy one. and i hear you on the dont change it people, i love it when they start telling you what to do with your car, man i dont tell them how to fix there cars, so waht gives them the right to tell others?
 
302 should be fairly easy. I put one in my 56 merc with C4. Stock Y-block cross member and early mustang mounts sit right in two of the holes. ****** mount was about 1/2 inch off so built a plate out of 1/4 inch x 2 inch flat bar. Used a driveshaft out of 72 Chev Caprice with C4 yoke and correct U-joints. The C4 shifted in reverse order (push or pull linkage to shift) so I used a cable out of a Fairmont (under dash on them) made a bracket to run it up over master cyl and down to ******. Hook up other end to stock column arm. Shifts fine from park to low, but you are missing one mark on indicator. Hasen't been a problem for me, and I DO get on it once in a while manually shifting it. Later I changed C4s, shifted the opposite way so just ran cable straight to ******. I had just put new exhaust on 312, so I just cut head pipes and made pieces to hook together. I've worn out 1 302 and second one is in it now, and it has been great. I love it.
 
Forgot to say, you can get all the performance you will want out of a 302 crate motor, and C4s or OD trannies can be built to handle it. just remember you usually get what you pay for. Choose a reputable US rebuilder and not a "cheap parts house" Mexicali Mexibuilt.
 
I'm new to the later Fords myself, but I thought the 302 and 351W used the same motor mounts and were the same size ??
 
351W is a similar design to the 289-302, but has a taller deck height, longer stroke, etc...

In my opinion, a mild 347 stroker (302 w/stroker crank) would give you everything you need. Light weight, small package, plenty of power. Relatively inexpensive compared to an FE, Cleveland, etc.

Todd
 
Ford1, thanks for the 390 info.
After hearing from Junknshit (and thank you also) that the 302 conversion is not rocket science, I plan to go that route. I like the lower weight and smaller size factors. The slightly smaller displacement should also save some high-test fuel/reduce operating cost on the long trips planned. And since Ford made a guzillion 302's, parts and service should be more readily available if needed.

But virtually no difference in crate cost 390/302 for 400+ reliable ponies. Seems the high performance parts/labor add up about the same either way. Why 400+? The grocery-getters sold now have 300hp. And I am old school; a "hot" rod should have more power than a grocery getter. And I am only going to build this car once.

Again, thanks guys.
 
Horsepower TV(Power Block) built a 302 using the RHS Windsor cast iron heads and made 402 HP on a 30 over 302(306). For a little more torque I'd go with a stroker 302-the 347 with the Racing Head Service Iron heads. Check out DSS here in Illinois they build some real nice crate motors both short and long block. There 347 short block is only $1900 or so and they have had it on sale for in the $1700's. The do only FORDS and are great guys. They will even build it for you carb to pan and run it on the Dino for you.
 
Thanks Dutchtreat, took your tip and checked out the D.S.S Racing website. They appear competitive on crates. I have never done an engine and have enough work to do on the car, so will leave it to the pros to build and will get a warranty.

Note that the 302/347s are $6,500 for 340~hp, and that is without intake, carb, distributor ...... The 363 is $8,400 (w/o ......) and is too much power. I know some people say you can never have too much, but 500 would necessitate serious changes to the chasis and costly beefing/time in other areas/parts that would delay getting the car on the road. But I will contact DSS for a quote on a complete (400hp) crate, fully dressed, when I am ready to get bids.

Again, thanks for the supplier/website information.
 
If you want good power, reliability, driveability and mileage all in one package go with an EFI 302 GT/auto from the early 90s Mustangs. There are several vendors that sell the harness/computer for that series engine, many parts available to mod it if you want. I built a 66 Falcon Ranchero using that engine, 5 speed and 3:23 rear gear. Plenty of power, great sound, never failed to start, never broke down and gave 30 - 32 on the oad at 70 MPH.
 
JeffB2 - appreciate the web sites/sources for consideration.

Ford blue blood - I considered the EFI, which is more reliable and also often gets slightly more power and economy. But I am old school and really don't want to deal with the additional electrical and fuel systems work that go with EFI. I also have friends that installed 302's from wrecks using the vendor conversion parts with great success. However, when they have had problems they have gone crazy trying to pin the bad part down and wound up in a $100 per hour high tech shop. In one case the problem was a cheap sensor. In another it was the brain/box/computer @$500 (plus the shop charges) and he had to wait two days to get one. On the other hand, with a carb, coil, distributor and mechanical fuel pump it is not too difficult to troubleshoot at home.

As you know my original posting included a query about the Coyote, a fantastic engine. And Ford Racing makes a street rod control box for it. But in addition to the EFI extra work, I later found out from Ford that I might have other challenges (oil pan/pump size and location and squeezing in headers). I am anxious to get the car on the road and already have more challenges ahead than I like. But I understand and do appreciate your comments.
 
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