easiest drivetrain swap for 55 fairlane?
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paul2748
Well-known member
Probably a 302, roller or non.. Pretty much a bolt in with stock Ford mounts. No matter what trans you use, you may have to modify the trans (rear) mount. Headers are available although the stock exhaust manifolds may work. If you don't need an overdrive, a C4 auto works good. For an automatic O/D, an AOD is the best choice in my opinion.
Rear - 57-58 Ford 9 inch or a 65/66 Mustang 8 inch. The spring pads are in the right place and the length is the same as stock. I think some one here was selling a 65/66 Mustang rear.
Granada rears are a little wider and the spring pads have to be relocated as far as i know.
Rear - 57-58 Ford 9 inch or a 65/66 Mustang 8 inch. The spring pads are in the right place and the length is the same as stock. I think some one here was selling a 65/66 Mustang rear.
Granada rears are a little wider and the spring pads have to be relocated as far as i know.
miker98038
Well-known member
If the car's a roller, and the rear axle is good and the right ratio, it will be ok if you don't hammer it too hard. While not as strong as the Dana 44's used in birds, trucks, and wagons (and not near a 9" or the later rearends) they went millions of miles behind y blocks. They hold up fine even behind a stick. The caveat is "hammer".
JeffB2
Well-known member
This will apply to 1954-56 Fords: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/albums/289-302-351w-swap-mounts.41498/ Use a 1982-86 Crown Vic drive shaft change the rear U-Joint to this http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/182156949494?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true and it all bolts up.You will need this: for the AOD http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lokar-KD-2A...ash=item5d6c34c2d1:g:w3MAAOSwkZhWS3cf&vxp=mtr. Your Ford-O-Matic column linkage can easily be adapted as well. You will need to use a pre-1980 302 Front sump oil pan.
It depends on what you mean by "easy", and what you mean by "modern". Depending on your true ability, and your budget, anything at all can be either easy, or hard. As for "modern" a 302 or 351 Windsor is no longer considered modern. They are Ford versions of the belly button motor (yawn). Neither will truly just "bolt in". If you can deal with and improve certain issues, the y-block is fine. That will bolt in. If you want something bigger, and with great interchangeability, an FE will actually bolt in. All you have to do is move the radiator forward by reversing the mounting bracket, and installing the exhaust pipes from the mufflers forward to the engine with pipes from a 58-59 FE engined car. Thus endeth my opinion. And you know what they say about opinions.