Hi guys,

I'm new to all this and was hoping someone might be able to give me some good advice please...

I have a 65 mustang with a 289 and C4trans.All stock except an Edlebrock manifold and matching carb.

Problem is it's got a blown head gasket and the engine's a little tired. I've decided I'm gonna yank the motor and replace it.I'm weighing up my options on what's going to go back in it.

I figured I might as well go bigger if it's not too much hassle. So I'm looking for some advice from someone who's switched out a 289 with a 302, or 351W.

I understand that the intake manifold is the same for the 289/302 but different on the 351. I guess I need to know what other surprises there might be?
[ul][*]Does the 302/351 use the same engine mounts?[*]Will a 302/351 bolt up to the C4?[*]What about the exhaust manifold?[*]Do I need to upgrade the radiator if I go to a 351?[*]Anything else I should consider?[/ul]
Thanks a bunch!

- Jason

 

[ul][*]Mounts are the same[*]Both bolt up to C4[*]Exhaust manifolds will bolt up on both, however, a 351 is a very tight squeeze on first generation and there may be manifold clearence issues, especially on the driver side[*]You will need to change radiators. The radiator outlet on the 289's are on the passenger side where as the radiator needed for the 351 will have the outlet on the driver side. I had to get a 1970 style radiator for my 67...[/ul]

 

You will have exhaust issues, I don't think that manifolds will work.

We bought Headman "swap headers" and then we had to modify these with a hammer, no big deal but not a straight bolt in.

The 351 is wider than a 302, it is also taller, however we were able to get everything under the hood with an RPM Air Gap manifold by using a very low profile air cleaner... barely..

I have seen some instances where people have used a fabricated "cross over" pipe to circumvent the radiator issue.... but we just bought a replacement rad.

There are some folks on the forum who have done the 351 swap and did not like it, mostly it seems due to the tight fit, but to me it is a good and viable swap, with a few "issues" but no real downers.

Our biggest issue with the 66 has been our need to change the header gaskets. this did suck. We installed copper gasket the last time so we should not have to repeat the process for some time.

Space may be an issue to some, but it is still like 100 times easier to change the sparkplugs in a 351 equipped early Mustang instead of an 80s F body...

 

Thanks for your advice.

Much appreciated.

Happy 4th July.

Jason