Author Topic: 1985 302 mustang comatability questions (Read 8259 times)

kevin.s 80 · « **on:** September 07, 2010, 06:19:28 PM »

ill be swapping the engine and rearend soon from a 1985 mustang into my 1980 pony, but i dont know how the axle will fit. i also need info on wich tranny will fit, i want a five speed manual but all these names like c4 and t5 dont make sense to me
any help or tips on which parts work best?
im swapping out my front suspension as well, mine has issues and i was told the plain old mustang II/ stock pinto front end will handle the added weight of the v8 with a set of aftermarket springs i dont know a whole lot about this stuff all info is great

RSM · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2010, 12:12:29 AM »

First you need to know that the firewall will need modifying in order to get the engine in. Second you need a Mustang II oil pan and motor mounts and oil pump pickup tube to make it fit correctly. Then you will have to move the drivers side frame mount back 1"...if your running the 2.3 in the car. Then you need to figure out your exhaust system. Then your cooling system. An axle out of a Mustang with a v6 or v8 will bolt in. If your Pinto has a v6 then the axle in the car will work...it just goes on and on. You need to take everything into consideration when you do this. It's not a cut and dry weekend job, it will take time. Get as much info as you can before you do anything. Make a list of everything that has to be done and all parts you need to do it. I'm not trying to bust any bubbles...just being real about it. My wagon project has been going on for a long time. I just do a little here and a little there. It should be complete in the next 6 months or so. Good luck!!

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2010, 02:51:17 PM »

RSM pretty much spelled it out. You wont need to mod the firewall though. Thats only on pre '74 Pintos. You will definitely need a better rear & cooling with the V8 though.

kevin.s 80 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2010, 08:48:31 PM »

okay so i bought that thing today 450 bucks cant go wrong, it ran good might rebuild for the hell of it. are you saying i need a better rearend than the one in the mustang or from my pinto? and for the mounts you said i move just the drivers side back an inch, or both sides? wont that mess with the alignment?
the radiator will most likely be replaced, all emissions stuff gone, as far as i know all i need now is a tranny, the oil pan stuff, new front end, and maybe some headers. its a 302 5.0l HO engine if that changes anything, my biggest uncertanty is the driveshaft, once i get my tranny if it bolts up will the shifter rod line up with the current hole? and are driveshafts easily lengthened or do i buy a new one with the right length?
sorry for the inexpierience but i do apriciate the help
i have been asked to sell my car three times this week!!! never
thanks again

RSM · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2010, 06:54:10 PM »

If you can, find an 8" out of a Mustang II with the V8 or V6. Both will work and are 4 lug. Both my 79 trunk and 80 wagon needed the firewall clearanced a bit. I went a bit overkill on the 80 but I wanted to make sure I had room.

popbumper · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2010, 07:08:48 PM »

Quote from: Pinto5.0 on September 09, 2010, 02:51:17 PM

RSM pretty much spelled it out. You wont need to mod the firewall though. Thats only on pre '74 Pintos. You will definitely need a better rear & cooling with the V8 though.

What? You mean RSM didn't have a clue on the firewall thing? Wow! :lol:

Chris

RSM · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2010, 06:33:50 AM »

You gonna start this crap again?

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2010, 06:01:21 PM »

Quote from: popbumper on September 24, 2010, 07:08:48 PM

What? You mean RSM didn't have a clue on the firewall thing? Wow! :lol:

Chris

That was the 1st time I heard anyone talk about clearancing a post-'74 firewall. I wont know for sure on my own since I plan to make my own mounts rather than use Stang II parts.

As for swapping the '85 axle in, it will handle the power but it will take some serious fab work to adapt it to leaf springs. 8 inches bolt right in.

kevin.s 80 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2010, 10:07:09 PM »

Thanks alot for the info I took the 302 apart today just to see where it's at, it blew oil smoke when I took it out but the cylinder walls were in great shape hardly a ridge at all I'll be installing the explorer gt40 heads and changing piston rings,
I'm not going to touch the pinto until everything is ready it may take a while before I gather everything but it's my daily driver so I want things to go smoothly
I finally found a t5 tranny 87-93 , so that's one less thing to worry about
I need more advice regarding the rearend swap, mine and the donor has the same length the mustangs will give me 2 inches lift. Is there a part I can install to prevent the added torque of the big engine from ruining my leafs?

71hotrodpinto · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2010, 02:28:18 PM »

WOhhhh there turbo!! You say this is your daily driver??? Dont start the swap untill you have a reliable backup car! I thought I was going to be done in 6 months! HAHAHAHAHAHAH YAh its been 7 years for me. (kids, work, money Etc etc!)
Give yourself at least 3 months if you can work on it everyday for 6 hours and 13 a day on the weekends. If you just wanted a basic "geterdunn" swap. SOoo many things pop up you cant even begin to describe them. Its not as simple as a swap from a 4 banger Mustang to a V8 mustang. Near Nothing bolts up.
Dont mean to discourage you but ive heard of too many people starting this project and never finishing it because of money time and effort required.
Good luck to you.

vonkysmeed · « **Reply #10 on:** October 21, 2010, 12:19:40 AM »

On my 73, started with a 2.0 automatic.

I bought an 82 Mustang GT to use as parts, I did think the same way of using the mustang rear end.

To get it to work, I sourced a Mustang 2 rear end (thank you TIGGER) Its spring perches are perfect and will be a direct swap. If you want to install your own perches on a rear end, you could take one from a granada or maverick as parts can be sourced.

I used the rear end as my starting point and used the mustang driveshaft to the mustang transmission (SROD) and engine (sort of, more on that later) I also used a complete set of mustang 2 motor mounts including the frame mounts. I did need to make the tunnel bigger at the firewall to fit around the bell housing. Doing this I did need to move the radiator forward, but made a monte carlo bar to replace my main core support at the top.

Interesting findings

Mustang GT and Pinto drive shaft are same length, mustang is a lilttle larger in diameter.
biggest issue I had was getting the exhaust out since I did not want to cut my fenders out. I used ford explorer cast headers backwards
My 302 was taken out of the car before I bought it and a 351w was in its place. I did not know the difference at the time.
The trans is the SROD (aluminum top loader 4 speed), the T5 did not start in the mustang until 83.

kevin.s 80 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2010, 01:04:12 PM »

buying the mustang might have been a mestake all im going to be using from it is the motor minus the pistons, intake, and oil pan/pickup. i only spent 450 on it but it was a big hassle getting it gone with no rearend(that i wont even be using). my buddys got fresh pistons w rings for 75 bucks which is all it should need, theres very little wear on the cylinders so hopefully this will suffice. i bought a 67 coronet 440 to drive during the project but with the 318 in it id spent all my money on gas instead of parts so im waiting on a trade for something a little more economical.
once the new pistons go in the 302 i need an intake and carb, motor mounts, mII oil pan/pickup, rearend, driveshaft, probly a new pressure plate for the t5, and probably a new front end. front suspension has been giving me problems for probably a year now (freeway vibration, jerks on bumps, knocks on bumps acceleration and stopping, pulls hard) i was told i need new bushings but i dont know what they are or where to get them so ill just replace it. i think thats about it hopefully i can get it going pretty soon so i can get some pictures up, and if anybody in Washington wants a nice coronet ill trade you for a little truck?

71pintoracer · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2010, 06:44:42 AM »

Been a while since I have been here but it's good to see nothing has changed......l ooks like another V8 swap Pinto headed to the scrapyard. Don't bother doing any research, just buy a bunch of stuff and try to throw it in the Pinto one weekend....
Remember the thread Pintony started years ago? "Just say no to V8 swaps!!" Prime example right here....OK rant over.
BTW, nice looking Pinto you have now.

dga57 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2010, 07:37:35 PM »

Jimmy!
I was beginning to think you'd fallen off the edge of the Earth!!! Glad to have you back... hope all is well!

Dwayne :smile:

kevin.s 80 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2010, 06:58:06 PM »

haha! thanks for the pep talk bud
i got more time than money so it may be a while but ill get it done

71pintoracer · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2010, 07:12:56 PM »

Quote from: dga57 on December 11, 2010, 07:37:35 PM

Jimmy!
I was beginning to think you'd fallen off the edge of the Earth!!! Glad to have you back... hope all is well!

Dwayne :smile:

Yea Dwayne, still around! Been busy with a new project, a Honda. Now don't get all bent!! It's a motorcycle!! Ha!

(BTW, 1000 posts! Yay!)

71pintoracer · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2010, 07:21:11 PM »

Quote from: kevin.s 80 on December 13, 2010, 06:58:06 PM

haha! thanks for the pep talk bud
i got more time than money so it may be a while but ill get it done

Just a little concerned about your mechanical ability after reading your posts. Hate to see that fine looking ride you have get chopped up and abandoned.....

a V8 swap takes a good deal of fabrication... ....ask me how I know.....or better yet, read my thread, "71 V8 Swap, Let the Fun Begin!"

71hotrodpinto · « **Reply #17 on:** December 14, 2010, 09:26:35 PM »

Quote from: 71pintoracer on December 14, 2010, 07:21:11 PM

Just a little concerned about your mechanical ability after reading your posts. Hate to see that fine looking ride you have get chopped up and abandoned..... a V8 swap takes a good deal of fabrication... ....ask me how I know.....or better yet, read my thread, "71 V8 Swap, Let the Fun Begin!"

Yep to do them cleanly and with limited cash (like i have been trying to do) they take alot of time. And yah its sad when i see a pinto with a "jammed in" V8 swap.They end up on ebay with no engine or trans for $200. Yah people have done it and they work for a while till they get tired of them cause they look as cheap as they are and drive like it. To do the car clean and right so that 5 years from now you will still be proud of your work!
GL!

dga57 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2010, 12:59:55 AM »

Quote from: 71pintoracer on December 14, 2010, 07:12:56 PM

Yea Dwayne, still around! Been busy with a new project, a Honda. Now don't get all bent!! It's a motorcycle!! Ha!
(BTW, 1000 posts! Yay!)

Since Ford doesn't build motorcycles, I'll let that pass! Hope you're having fun with it!

RICO2 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 13, 2015, 01:50:08 AM »

yep throwing one together is definitely a bad idea . if you wanna drive it , leave it alone . but if you must , take your time and definitely buy another car or youll be walking . imdoing the same thing and finding out its definitely different than the first one I did . but in the end when you do it right the first time , its awesome.good luck.

Wittsend · « **Reply #20 on:** November 13, 2015, 10:38:32 AM »

Strange that nearly 5 years later this post returns. So, what ever became of this??? Anyone know. Not trying to be too critical but virtually every, "when I get the money" post I read never results in a completed car. Not just here, but other sites too. Maybe this one has a happy ending???

dick1172762 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 13, 2015, 11:25:49 AM »

Maybe not, as his last post in 2011 was about going to a 2.3 turbo in place of the V-8.

Wittsend · « **Reply #22 on:** November 13, 2015, 07:57:19 PM »

Yea, I took a peek back in time (2011). Seems there was a:
80 Pinto - engine removed.
Mustang V8 - engine removed, not used.
Mustang SVO - engine removed.
67 Coronet 440 - chugging gas.

I'd assume after four years this went nowhere. Is it a generational thing? Seems like most of the completed swap project cars (at lest completed to running) are done by the over 50 "Old Farts" (like myself). Over in my Sunbeam Tiger world there was a 16 year old kid whose father GAVE him a Tiger. For about a year the kid was active on the Tiger Email Forum. Then suddenly he was selling the car to buy a mid 90's Mustang. The Mustang is probably worth no more than $2,000 today while the Tiger, even in marginal condition, has skyrocketed to $30,000-$40,000.

To bring this back home (so to speak ) in the mid 70's I knew a friend that had a Spearco Pinto. It had been George Spears personal car. 2.0 Turbo and loaded with lots of goodies. At some point the Turbo died, he swapped in a 289 and within a year or so the car was gone. That car would have been rather unique today.

Not sure if this was his car (it is attributed as a Spearco Pinto) but it was this color/strip scheme. Update: OK, I ask and it is not his car. But, he did say it was very similar to his.

dave1987 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 13, 2015, 09:32:16 PM »

I'm working towards a V8 (302) swap in my 78 Sedan as well, been working towards this for about five or six years now. Tons of research and reference information out there, and tons of prep work too! Everything that has been stated is true, it's a lot of work. I'm getting everything together, strengthening the sub-frame and rebuilding the Mustang II donor motor and matching C4 transmission before I start to remove anything. The motor was purchased in Washington and then transported and stored in Oregon, next year we will bring it to Idaho and I can start to rebuild it. In the mean time, I'm still finding time to weld up frame connectors, and eventually build up the traction bars. I already have the 8" rear in the car.

Building a V8 Pinto is like Tim Taylor from Home Improvement rebuilding his '55 Bel Air, it takes a lot of time an patience, and even with that, dedication and more so, many years of all of that.

entropy · « **Reply #24 on:** November 13, 2015, 09:47:26 PM »

Just a little aside based on something I saw earlier in the thread. While the Mustang II oil pan is *really* important, the pickup for it is no different than the one for any front sump SBF. When I swapped my pan last year, the MII pickup was identical to the one I already had in the engine. Which reminds me....anybody want a MII oil pickup?

79prostreet · « **Reply #25 on:** November 14, 2015, 06:08:56 AM »

I will second what Wittsend said, most of this generation has never had to wait very long for anything. That is one of the big reasons I chose to do my project with my son who at that time was 11( I'm 40 years older than him). He was good for about 3 hours and then turned his focus elseware ,after 4 years of cutting and chopping he could do an all day session . We had some very special times that we will talk about for years to come and also built a great Hot-Rod to boot.

78_starsky · « **Reply #26 on:** November 30, 2015, 08:20:10 AM »

Had to read this thread, had to comment....

its a week end project to "just drop in a V8" into anything.... LOL

the more i hear ppl say this the more I have to laugh... i have a friend who has been working on one for 5 years now...

Even when rebuilding a straight tear down rebuild of a car took us over 3 years on the red pinto... and now my v8 ranger frame off build is into the 3rd year.

oh its so easy to "just drop in a V8"

LOL Cheers

Srt · « **Reply #27 on:** November 30, 2015, 11:01:39 AM »

To bring this back home (so to speak ) in the mid 70's I knew a friend that had a Spearco Pinto. It had been George Spears personal car. 2.0 Turbo and loaded with lots of goodies. At some point the Turbo died, he swapped in a 289 and within a year or so the car was gone. That car would have been rather unique today.

Not sure if this was his car (it is attributed as a Spearco Pinto) but it was this color/strip scheme. Update: OK, I ask and it is not his car. But, he did say it was very similar to his.
[/quote]

yep that sure looks like a Spearco. George Spears & Gary Hall (Hall Pantera) ( he had a fast Pinto too) used to visit Ak Millers regularly back then and his car was very nice. I can't remember the color though. Used to ride/drive with them down Rosemead in Pico Rivera to the coffee shop.

What a hoot!

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 01, 2015, 02:27:49 PM »

Quote from: 78_starsky on November 30, 2015, 08:20:10 AM

Had to read this thread, had to comment....

its a week end project to "just drop in a V8" into anything.... LOL

It all depends on what car you are doing the swap on. Years ago I swapped my 86 Regal from a Buick V6/metric trans to a 403 Olds/Turbo 350 in 14 hours, start to finish. I drove the car for 2 years after that & never had to fix any mistakes from the rushed timeframe. I converted 6 G-body GM's from V6 to V8 over the years & never took more than 48 hours to pull it off. It just takes mechanical ability to pull most of this stuff off correctly which I think was the problem the OP faced in the 1st place....

78_starsky · « **Reply #29 on:** December 05, 2015, 11:34:57 AM »

"It all depends on what car you are doing the swap on."

How true, i didn't mean it was impossible, i was more that many think it is easy to just park it, pull it, drop it, then drive it....

So many oooops'es happen from ill informed or mechanically challenged. I talk to many guys at car shows who come up and say back in the day they "dropped a 8" into a pinto.... my next comment is, how did it drive... well "we never did it right and bent the front end" or some hack and slash story emerges. Too much power and wrapped it around .....

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Author Topic: 1985 302 mustang comatability questions (Read 8259 times)

RSM

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