Hi everybody. I think this is going to be a site I'm going to become interlinked with for a while. Anyway, I just purchased a 65 mustang coupe for $500 bucks! Body is straight and and needs minimal body work. I think it was a steal. Anyway, to get me started I have a 302 that I purchased for a 79 ford f150, that I never put in because of a divorce. So I have this engine, and found this Mustang without an engine or tranny, and I thought "perfect."

I have two questions for anybody that could help me out.

FIRST, how difficult will it be to put this 302 into the car? It of course was originally stocked with the 289. Can I drop it in with the original motormounts, or do I have to modify anything? I should still be able to use the basic c-4 tranny, right? Any other ideas, expertise, or warnings anybody could give me would be helpful on this project.

SECOND, I'm concerned about the rearend. It's been sitting for 7 years, outdoors. When I raise the rear end off the ground, I can turn the wheels. When I drop it on the ground, the rear end locks up. What could be causing this, or should I just scrap the rear end, and have it rebuilt?

Looking forward to any help I can get.

Brandon

 

I don't know about all the interchangeabilty issues, but welcome to the forums. It may sometimes take a day or two for someone who knows the answer, since we all work or have our own "projects" going

There is a lot of valuable info and knowledgeable people here

 

Im not sure about the 79 block but i know early 70's 302 fits in with no problems.I put a 73 302 into my 66 with no problem. Like markstang said, welcome to the forums!

 

You are in for some good times!!!!

If by "locking up" you mean the car will not roll, then it could be any number of things.
See when you jack the car up and turn the wheels all you are turning is the spider and side gears in the carrier.
It could be a ring gear bolt backed out and jammed up the rear. It could be either a pinion or carrier bearing, or it could be the ring and pinion itself. Best thing to do is pull the axles and center unit out. Then clean it up and do a good inspection.

No biggy, you're going to want to get a nice 9+ Currie unit for that 400HP motor you're going to build anyways.

Welcome!

 

I think the only real issues with that 79 302 working in there, would be the motor mounts may have to be moved (Maybe not.....do some measuring) and secondy, maybe the bell housing won't match up to the C4 (Or maybe it will)

 

Thanks Scott. Just got in off vacation, and now I'm going to do a little relaxing. Going out to enjoy the heat wave and pull the cover off the rear-end and check the gears out today. Fun, fun.

Thanks again,
Brandon

 

So, what did you find? Get back to us.