The other day as I was driving home my car started acting very strange. So I got home and popped the hood open and started looking around to see if I could find anything wrong with it. After checking the engine I saw that I have a worn out exhaust manifold gasket. Left it resting on the drive way till today. I went to go have the gasket replaced, and talking to a few guys there they informed me of what I was fearing. They said me motor is going to give out on me when I least expect it. They told me to pull the motor and have it rebuild. I rather swap in a 5.0 in there instead of rebuilding the straight 6, was my response. So they start telling me that they know a guy who has a truck with a 5.0 and another guy tells me that a friend of his has a 302 and trans from a 90 t-bird. Now I am thinking what to do?

I am now thinking of going with the 302 and saving some money instead of going with the 5.0. Anybody know what trans is the one of the t-bird or how I can find out if it has overdrive? They are asking $400 for the trans and motor off the t-bird. I think it is a fair price for both. Now I am confused I always wanted and talked about upgrading, now that I have the possibility I am not happy it came up.

I am leaning toward the 302, does anybody know what I will have to order to be able to make the swap work?

Things I think I will need:
different oil pump and oil pan
motor mounts
radiator


I currently have the 200cid and 3 speed, I already have the 5 lug spindles, tie rods, and center link. thanks in advance.

 

This will give you a clue on how much work it is http://www.midnightdsigns.com/Mustang/Engine.htm Did you change your front springs or they still the inline 6 ones?

 

If the 302 is out of a '90 Thunderbird then it is a 5.0L, maybe even a roller block. I would suggest getting it over the 5.0L out of the truck anyway, you'll probably want to change the cam either way, but I'm guessing the cam in the truck will not be very driveable. As andrewmp6 said I think you'll also need a pair of front coil springs and you'll need to check to make sure you have at least an 8" rear end.

 

the 90 tbird has a roller 5.0 and a AOD trans, and i dunno what reavers talking about using the truck block instead, there will be no difference in the blocks and it MAY actually only have a flat tappet cam in it.

 

If I were you I would start with the chassis stuff and work your way up to the engine, keep the car running through as much of the process as possible.... that is what my son and I did.... it all worked out pretty well.

 

Thanks that was a big help looking and reading it really help me out. No I haven't change the front springs they are still the 6 ers. Which do you recomend? also my front spindels are off a 66 and "supposably" my differential is of a 77 maverik. how can I find out what exactly it is if it is even an 8?

 

I never trust mechanics who say things like "This here motor is tired and old and its gonna give out on you at the least inopportune time, you should let me pull it up and rebuild it, or I have a cousin that has a complete motor and trans we can sell you cheap and then install it".

Why not start simple...your car was acting strange? Please define strange.
When was the last time you:
1. changed plugs
2. changed coil
3. changed/set points
4. changed cap

For the record an old exhaust manifold gasket doesn't mean a damn thing. Do you have an exhaust leak that you can hear 'tick, tick, tick' when the car is idling? Then you need to replace the gasket, otherwise you don't have to do anything at all with an exhaust manifold gasket.

 

I said I would suggest getting the Thunderbird block over the truck block, because the T-bird could have a roller block and probably a more streetable cam...if there is any difference.

@guybored If the back wheels are 5 lug there is a good chance you have a 8"+ rear end, however if the back wheels are 4 lug then you've probably got a 7.5" rear. The 7.5" rear end has a big bulge like a mushroom on the back, while the 8" is smooth and flat on the top and bottom, the 9" is more circular and sometimes has a narrow bulge. If you are unsure post a picture.

Edit: I looked up the Maverick rear end and it should be an 8", however the Maverick used a 56.50" length where as the '66 Mustang has a 57.25" length. So maybe the PO had it lengthend or used an additional offset?

 

Today I woke up early to take the car to another mechanic to get a second opinion and he told me the same thing, engine is pretty much gone. As far as changing things I have changed plugs, coil, cap about a year ago but I don't drive it much untill lately. I never changed the points was trying to get to it bout them about a month ago but they told me I went to a specific gap so I never did. As the gasket you can see a back fire when you give it gas, also when I was driving it today I would give it gas and it would sputter, didn't have any power. And it is more of a knocking sound when the car is on. How can I put a video on here so maybe you all can hear. Heres a pic of the differential maybe you can identify it better than me. it is a five lug by the way.

 

Today I woke up early to take the car to another mechanic to get a second opinion and he told me the same thing, engine is pretty much gone. As far as changing things I have changed plugs, coil, cap about a year ago but I don't drive it much untill lately. I never changed the points was trying to get to it bout them about a month ago but they told me I went to a specific gap so I never did. As the gasket you can see a back fire when you give it gas, also when I was driving it today I would give it gas and it would sputter, didn't have any power. And it is more of a knocking sound when the car is on. How can I put a video on here so maybe you all can hear. Heres a pic of the differential maybe you can identify it better than me. it is a five lug by the way.