Posted by Dennis Martin (IP: 205.188.192.22) on September 12, 1999 at 18:22:02:
In Reply to: Formal introduction posted by Russsmav on September 10, 1999 at 21:49:02:
I have a 77 Mav that I put a 289 into & converted to small bumpers. The 289 is a drop in, identical to the 302 although timing marks are on the drivers side so you will have to live with it or change to a 302 timming cover & damper. Or you can modify your existing one like I did. The hardest part on the bumper conversion is removing the old plate & nuts for the front bumper. I cut an acess hole in the core support & torched out the old. They are in the way of where the old style need to be. Then you need a template of where the 2 nuts need to be located for the small bumpers. I can provide you with one if you dont have a way to get them. I then marked & drilled the frame. I welded nuts on a piece of steell & slid it into the frame & bolted them up to hold it in place. Then tack welded it. I talked to a guy who just welded the brackets to the frame . This is much easier but this makes the bumper nonadjustable. The rear is easier. Internal brackets are the same as a 67 mustang so you can buy them in a Mustang parts house. You have to weld up a bunch of holes in the tail light panel & quarter panel then drill new holes for the bumper brackets & valance panel. Also the gas tank is different & interferes with the valance but I just bolted it up & carefully bent the panel out for clearence. Looks great & unnoticable