thought mustangs that old were 289's only? and i'm fairly sure the mounts are different...

good luck.

 

There are actually many kits out that have small block mounts to help convert the I-6 stangs to pretty much any Ford small block.

I am assuming the 302 is out of another stang? as in you already have the running gear? If you are planning a 5.0l swap like I think you are, I would suggest getting one a few years newer, as the 86 is not yet a MAF car, and a later model would be easier to tune, mod ect.

If you just want to swap a V-8 into it, find a 289, 302, or 351 from a mid-late 70's or earlier ford and it will go a little easier. Don't forget about the suspension and brakes too, you are going to want to upgrade to the V-8 coils and 5 lug brakes in the front, as well as the 8" rear axle (already with 5 lugs), or you could go new school and grab an 8.8" rear out of a 5.0l car and change the spring perches and driveshaft to make it fit. Many people have swapped a v8 into a I6 classic stang, so check out your local mustang club or a classic mstang forum and you will find a ton of people to help guide you along.

 

it will be carbureted. it will work with the regular '66 302 mounts i've found. i was just worried that since the engine is 20 years newer than the car they might have done something stupid and messed with the way it mounts and the way the accesories bolt on.

 

The mounting should be the same. The only thing you need to be sure of is that you have the inserts for the a.i.r. plugs. All they are are inserts that go into the heads to plug off the a.i.r. holes in them so that that the front accessories can bolt up and to block the holes in the rear of the heads.

 

Don't use the 86 302, it has terrible heads and pistons that won't work with any heads that flow good. The 86 block is stronger than the 85 and older ones, but throw the rest away.

I bought an 86 5.0L for my 84 Mustang (2.3L auto), and it was always way down on power. This winter I am having it rebuilt with new pistons, eagle rods, balanced crank, Trick Flow TW heads, Weiand intake, modified Comp. Cam, forged roller rockers, and all ARP hardware. The only parts being reused from the 86 are the block and crank.

You would be better off finding an 87+ 302 or Explorer 302 with the GT40 heads on it. The 86 heads are the same ones off of the LTD and were only used for the first year of fuel injection.

Don't forget to update the brakes to at least GT front discs, and I am not sure what suspension parts were upgraded on the 289 cars vs the I6 ones. The Lincoln Versail 9" rear axle with rear discs is also a good upgrade. If you want to be uber pimp, install a set of 94+ Cobra front brakes on the car along with a set of SN95 rear brakes and run a set of modern wheels. Early Mustangs look very nice with modern rollers. Check out Ford Racing's Project Cammer 66 2+2 SEMA car.


Good luck with your swap!

 

If it was me, I'd upgrade the I6 to a 250 and then turbo it. Not many of those around. There are PLENTY of 302's mustangs around.

But as mentioned there are lots of kits to convert mustangs to V8s. Just be sure to upgrade those brakes, suspension and steering as well. You need a balanced vehicle before you have more power. Its no fun zipping around not being able to stop or turn.
-bix

 

Don't use the 86 302, it has terrible heads and pistons that won't work with any heads that flow good. The 86 block is stronger than the 85 and older ones, but throw the rest away.

I bought an 86 5.0L for my 84 Mustang (2.3L auto), and it was always way down on power. This winter I am having it rebuilt with new pistons, eagle rods, balanced crank, Trick Flow TW heads, Weiand intake, modified Comp. Cam, forged roller rockers, and all ARP hardware. The only parts being reused from the 86 are the block and crank.

You would be better off finding an 87+ 302 or Explorer 302 with the GT40 heads on it. The 86 heads are the same ones off of the LTD and were only used for the first year of fuel injection.

Don't forget to update the brakes to at least GT front discs, and I am not sure what suspension parts were upgraded on the 289 cars vs the I6 ones. The Lincoln Versail 9" rear axle with rear discs is also a good upgrade. If you want to be uber pimp, install a set of 94+ Cobra front brakes on the car along with a set of SN95 rear brakes and run a set of modern wheels. Early Mustangs look very nice with modern rollers. Check out Ford Racing's Project Cammer 66 2+2 SEMA car.


Good luck with your swap!

the block is pretty much the only thing were using anyway, were planning on something like 10.5:1 compression ~345ci stroker forged pistons/crank/rods.
We may use the GT40 heads because we can get a deal on them but he says he found another brand he would rather use, I cant remember the name atm.

He already has plans for front coilovers and large front disks, same for the rear after he upgrades his rear end but thats going to be a while.

The 86 block is stronger than the 85 and older ones

I didn't know that thanks, but we may have an 85:lol:
whats the difference?

 

I am not excatly sure what was changed on the blocks for 1986, but I have read in a few different books that the 86 blocks are stronger. It could be the combination of increased webbing/rib thickness and a better material. The production blocks are still fairly weak for heavy duty use, and I have seen my fair share of them crack in half.

 

If it was me, I'd upgrade the I6 to a 250 and then turbo it. Not many of those around. There are PLENTY of 302's mustangs around.

But as mentioned there are lots of kits to convert mustangs to V8s. Just be sure to upgrade those brakes, suspension and steering as well. You need a balanced vehicle before you have more power. Its no fun zipping around not being able to stop or turn.
-bix

we dont want to use a 6 because if it's smaller than a 300 we'll have to buy upgrades for everything and if we're putting a 300 in we may as well go with the 302. and he's not a big turbo fan

 

So he's a little impeller.

 

he is going for street performance not 1/4 mile btw

 

I just did a similar swap using a '70 302/c4 trans into a '66 with the 200/c4 trans. The motor mounts will bolt right to the '66 frame. Make sure to get new V8 springs and do a disc brake conversion (there is a how-to somewhere online that will save you a bunch of cash over buying a kit). I haven't yet done the brakes and springs because of budget and timing and it was scary not being able to stop and scraping the exhaust on every small incline.
Good luck and let me know if you need more info, but it is pretty straight forward.

 

yeah i was thinkin of putting coilovers on the front. the kit i want comes with 11.75" slotted rotors w/ 2piston aluminum calipers. it's pretty sweet but i might just convert my front to stock v8 status... i'm still deciding but im gonna have the money for the coilovers, and it's extremely tempting, sooo i'll probably just go that route anyway like the impulsive nub i am