48 Ford 2dr

A friend gave me a 351-c, and I was thinking of installing it in my 48,which is stock right now with the 239 flat, is this a easy swap or will I run into lots of problems to overcome. I would put a Mustang front end on first, Thoughts
 
First, this is a question best asked over on the H.A.M.B. The people who post over there are way more familiar with this type of question than the people who post over here.


What (little) I know...


The Ford OHV are longer in dressed configuration (water pump, balancer) than the flathead Ford. This means cutting and recessing the firewall, or mounting the motor forward and using 6 cyl radiator, hood latch, and internal baffling. You will also requrie a modern radiator as the Ford OHV is designed for a pressurized cooling system.


Ford OHV have many configurations of exhaust manifolds and other accessories which do not always work on another block of the same "type". Sometimes it is "interesting" to get a Ford OHV to work with various steering systems.


Ford OHV typically have a front sump oil pan. This causes issues with clearance to the front crossmember. Summit Racing and Speedway sell rear sump pans with remote pickup.


Unless you can find an adapter to the stock transmission (and if you do you will break transmissions from too much horsepower) the Ford transmissions that mate to the OHV motor are not going to fit the stock center crossmember, surgery will be required. The brake pedal system will need to be new. The rear end will need to be replaced or converted to open drive line. The rear end installation will need to be modified to absorb the thrust (torque) of power being applied to rear tires. The rear brakes will need to be compatible with the front and new master cylinder.


There is more but thats what I can think of now.


A nice backyard project to start on Monday and get done on Saturday (several years later).
 
Karl's suggestion about the HAMB is a good one. BUT if you do post on the HAMB first post an intro AND never ever ever mention a Mustang II front suspension.
 
didn't ford introduce independent front suspension in '49? ...must have been a godsend. probably the most welcome new suspension technology since the introduction of the shock absorber, i would think.

can't help but wonder if the objection (if there even is one) is to front independent suspension or Ford's implementation of it.
 
didn't ford introduce independent front suspension in '49? ...must have been a godsend. probably the most welcome new suspension technology since the introduction of the shock absorber, i would think.

can't help but wonder if the objection (if there even is one) is to front independent suspension or Ford's implementation of it.


Regardless, if you want information/help on the HAMB talking about a Mustang II front suspension will get the post either deleted or moved to the Off Topic Hot Rods and Customs section. Your choice. Their forum their rules.
 
john, in my 48 merc I used the rear end from a 99 mercury mountaineer, they are within a half inch of stock and if you look around many of the 4wd models are posi and have disc brakes. just a thought. tom1948
 
didn't ford introduce independent front suspension in '49? ...must have been a godsend. probably the most welcome new suspension technology since the introduction of the shock absorber, i would think.

can't help but wonder if the objection (if there even is one) is to front independent suspension or Ford's implementation of it.


I think with the Mustang II front end you start to wander into the street rod universe and the HAMB is a traditional hot rod arena. I imagine that the HAMB guys look at a street rod the same way I would.
 
HAMB forward please . 351 C is a heavy lumbering power plant , 302 is a way better choice. Mustang 2 is HAMB ish though frowned on there too.The HAMB doesn’t favour floppy front suspension. A different forum will give a better answer.
 
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