Posted by Charlie (IP: 209.253.9.19) on November 06, 1999 at 14:58:13:
In Reply to: 302's and tranny's? posted by Michael Haertel on November 06, 1999 at 09:09:56:
Well, its hard to give such broad advice, but I've been there so I'll try. You didn't say whether the car had a V8 originally or not, but I'll assume it didn't.
I definitely would build an engine b/c of your free machine work. I spent about $250 on a rebuild kit and about $300 on machine work for my 1987 5.0L HO. I did not replace the pistons or bore because it was not needed (and the pistons were forged). You should assume that you'll need a bore and new pistons for whatever used motor you get. Pistons should add at least $100 to the price, likely closer to $200.
Here is what I would do. Buy a late model truck or Crown-Vic block (1987 or later). Rebuild it with aluminum heads or GT40 or GT40P cast heads. Use a Ford Motorsport roller camshaft (B303 or E303). You'll need a steel distributor gear, roller lifters, and a roller lifter retainer for this cam. Use a 1985 5.0L HO Mustang fuel pump eccentric (The only year the roller motor was used w/carb) because it is 2-piece and cuts down significantly on drag. Use a Boss 302 Windage tray and a Front Sump Oil pan (the late model motor pan won't work in the Maverick) This is basically what I have done except I have stock HO heads (ported) and started with an HO motor to begin with. Add a Holley 600 and Aluminum intake, and it is a good package.
Buy a 1990-up Crown Vic water pump, it has the right outlet for the Maverick and is aluminum instead of cast iron (Watch out, they look the same as Mustang units but Mustang WP's turn backwards.)
As for the rearend 3.50 TL, it'll be expensive to get a posi for the 8-inch, and if you are going to rebuild th 8-inch too, It might be about the same price to rebuild a Granada 9-inch and buy a 3.50 posi for it. Just a thought.
As far as the trans, a T5 is nice, an AOD is nice, and the C4 would work fine, too. I have no experience with these swaps, but it seems enough people are working on them that info will be available soon.
My car is a "completely streetable daily driver that can lay down some rubber when I want it to." I have driven it 30,000 miles in three years, and drove it to the Maverick Nationals (650 miles), so I hope my advice helps some. Good Luck -CP
: Next summer I hope to have a garage for the Mav. As soon as I have that garage, I want to put in a 302, Headers, dual exhaust, nice carb and intake, disk brakes all around, probably gonna go with a 3.5 Posi Rear, new suspension, ect...Basically the works, I'm gonna save up alot of cash in the next several month, pull the car apart, and spend a couple of weeks on installing stuff.
: My questions?
: What should I expect to spend on a 302. Should I just buy the block, and order a cam, pistons, rings, gaskets, water pump, oil pump, lifters, pushrods, ect....and build the engine from the ground up? I have the advantage of getting all my machine work done for free.
: Or should I buy a new engine, or get a rebuilt.
: What about Tranny's? I'd like to take out the C4, I have a bad felling that the current tranny is about dead. The pan leaks, and I'm gonna fix that before I start driving it, but I think it has been leaking for the 11 months the previous owner had it. I pured 2 quarts of tranny fluid in it just to get the stick wet. I've hurd AOD mentioned alot. I would definaly like a 5 speed if posible. Suggestions?
: My goal is to have a completely streetable daily driver that can lay down some rubber when I want it to. I'm going to try to participate in as many shows as posible, and I'll be willing to drive half way across the country for a Mav meet, once it's ready.
: I'm just trying to design the car now, from bumper to bumper. I want to put a detailed plan together, and make another plan when this coming summer, and compair the 2 and make a final out of the 2 plans, and see how much of the plan I change between now, and next summer.