Author Topic: T bird mustang swap (Read 2528 times)

imhoppy · « **on:** April 16, 2006, 11:21:11 AM »

Morning guys and gals,
I had a idea this morning. I was looking at craigslist and there is a bunch of T-birds and mustangs that have bad bodies but appear to be mechanically sound.Seems to me if i picked up a whole car and swappped out the V-6 for my really tired 2.8.I would stand a better chance in making work.
The wife doesnt want a V-8 in her "im taking the dogs to the beach car."
My concerns are 1 oil pan / frame conflict
2 Hood clearance

If anybody has any experience with this kind of swap let me know Ive talked to the easter bunny if you post you will get candy next year for sure! :cheesy_n:
Thanks Mike

77turbopinto · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2006, 07:26:35 PM »

I would agree, those are two things I would look at in GREAT detail before starting this. I was planning on the v8 thing at first, but then decided on the turbo, but I would have done the v8 if I needed to cut the hood. I spent a weekend just doing all the math, measurments, and parts research: It was time well spent. I can't imagine the v6 being any taller than the 2.3 efi, and you might not have parts you can swap out to help with that either.

Take a good look at any 3.8 donor you plan to use, they are PRONE to head issues.

I don't know if the have the same bell bolt pattern.

The oilpan will need to be a front sump, and not only that, with the short v6, you might have to move the engine forward to give ROOM for a sump. This will bring tranny and driveshaft issues too, and if you want a standard, it could be worse. I am sure that you would need a full custom motor mount set up of some sort.

I have never seen a pinto with a 3.8, but I like things like that. Take a look in the FAQ section for info on an efi swap, most of the same stuff will apply. The best bet is to get a good running full car as a donor. Trust me, it makes things much easier, as does a welder, torches, and air tools.

Go for it,
Bill

imhoppy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2006, 09:38:22 PM »

Thanks for the reply Bill,
I like taking on challenges like motor swaps and the such.Put a stick into a automatic 68 camaro when i was 15 didnt know squat didnt even have decent tools just some funky old wrenches from my grandpa circa 1940s.Done lots of other stuff since.My favorite was a 351 into a mg I can still see my buddy jumping up and down on the motor trying to get heads past the inner fenders.Made our own driveshaft with a hacksaw and a arc welderWe used a comelong to hold the engine in so we take it for an uncorked test ride.We didnt even make it onto the street before SFPD showed up and dam near arrested us.Probally a good thing we may have had some beer in us."I REALLY CANT RECALL"Anyway i searched some threads on this site as well as a ranger site didnt come up with anything really good or bad.SOOO i think ill have to check out some cars with a tape measure and see what might fit.
You know that might be the start of a good thread.WHAT THE CRAZIEST SWAP THAT YOUVE EVER DONE. B.T.W. THIS IS A CAR SITE :hypno: Still like to hear any input
Once again happy easter everyone I have a stomach ache stupid peeps

rbohm · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2006, 02:29:17 AM »

bill, the reason you likely wont see a 3.8 V6 in a pinto, is because none of them had front sump oil pans. since the 3.8 went into fox body cars, and trucks, all the pans were rear sump designs. thus any pan would have to be modified to a front sump pan, and i dont think people will take the time to do that imo.

77turbopinto · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2006, 07:21:47 AM »

Yea, I said it would need a front sump, and that would be part of the problem. I think the location of the engine will be a bigger problem in regards to the sump.

The other way would be a dry sump set-up.

If the hardest part of that install was mod.ing an oilpan, I think people wanting to do this swap would do it.

Bill

Gaslight · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2006, 07:56:47 AM »

Wasn't the 3.8 available in the same years as the SVO mustang and T-Bird? I was under the impression those all used front sumps on there 2.3 the same as the Pinto.

Jake

77turbopinto · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2006, 06:53:34 PM »

All the foxes, birds, rangers have rear sumps. The only front sump 2.3 were in bobcats/pintos/mII's. I don't know what the early capri's had, but I think they might have had 2.3's, but they were a different car from the stangs.

Bill

imhoppy · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2006, 07:22:47 PM »

Once again thanks for the input,
I'm not opposed to making a new sump for the oil pickup.I was even thinking of putting the wagon on the whole front clip of whatever the donor car might be.I would imagine that most of these cars are unibodies.I really haven't had a chance to go to some junk yards to look for a good candidate for the wagon as of yetThe best scenario would be to find a car that has a frame underneath that is close in width.Don't care to much about the length .Ive cut frames before to shorten the wheelbase.Heck i might even make it front wheel drive GASP! Hopefully i wont catch to much flack for suggesting such radical changes to such wonderfully enginered car.
see ya mike

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