Craig,Yes indeed. I just swapped the fuel line on my I6 with the lines from a donor V8. If anyone has an I6 car they will notice an unused hole just in front of the drivers side shock tower with (maybe) a plug in it. My original I6 250 '76 Maverick did not have anything routed through this hole (it was open). My "old" fuel line ran though the frame rail just behind the shock tower.
It appears that Ford, in an attempt to keep parts count low, cut the metal fuel line about 6 inches short just behind the drivers door and spliced a rubber fuel line there. I think this was done to allow either the I6 fuel line or the V8 line (longer). All that I needed to do was un-clamp the origional (I6) line at this point and clamp in the longer V8 line that exits in front of the shock tower.
My problems with vapor lock are gone, the fuel pressure reads between 6.5 and 7 no matter how hot the engine gets (was 1.5 hot and 7.5psi cold before!).
Without a doubt, this is an issue that needs to be addressed for anyone considering an I6 to V8 swap. Throw it in the FAQ if necessary because it will cause tons of grief if that person doesn't have a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel line (I do).
Hoping this helps someone!
Tracy
:I don't seem to recall that 6 cyl cars had a different fule line location that the V-8 cars. All the ones I had have the fuel line routed in front of the shock tower. Can anybody else confer?
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::Funny you should mention this because this is just what I've completed!
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::I bought the Heddman Headers ($96) from Summit Racing and they are a good fit on my '76 Maverick (they say they fit 69-1/2 to 77 Mavericks). The only "glitch" I ran into is that I can't see any way to put them on the engine first, then tip it into the engine compartment. I didn't try so I don't know if it can be done.
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::In addition, if you run the Heddman Headers and have power steering, you WILL need the power cylinder relocation bracket ($13). This will replace the stock bracket and drop the power cylinder rod down about 2 inches so it can clear the headers on the drivers side. I had to search all of Houston to find this *&($#&*($ bracket and was stuck with a car I couldn't steer until I did! (I found it that day at a Hi-Po shop).
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::Also, be very aware of this (because I think I have a problem with it): The fuel supply line for the inline six comes out of the body BEHIND the driver's side shock tower. On the V8 cars they come out in FRONT of the same shock tower. I think this is because of vapor-lock issues with the fuel line being close to the headers (believe me, they get VERY hot indeed! ;) I will be relocating mine this afternoon and will let every know how it works.
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::In addition, if you have power steering on your "keeper car", you will need the power steering lines from the V8 donor car since they are routed differently to keep them away from the driver's side exhaust manifold. You could also have these hoses made up.
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::Motor mounts: NO! The V8 mounts DO NOT have to be welded in but there was (at least on my I6-engined '76) a little metal flange on top of the frame rail where the mounts bolt up that I had to chisel/hack/bang/wrench/tear off (about 10 minutes per side). Be advised that you will have to have these mounts, they are non-optional. There is no way for the old ones to work.
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::You will need the throttle cable from a V8 donor.
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::You will also need the chassis crossbar from a V8 donor although I'm not sure if its absolutely required. It appears to be a torque equaliser to keep the frame from twisting into a pretzel with the V8 power.
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::I have both of the V8 engine mounts and frame crossmember, sandblasted, primed and painted gloss black if you want to buy them. I bought these before I came across a '73 four-door LDO V8 donor car that already had everything I needed.
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::Hope this info helps, let us know how it turns out!
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::Regards,
::Tracy
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:::I was a previous owner of a `71 Maverick with a 200,and a `73 Comet with a 302. The Comet had stock manifolds,and it looked like an impossible fit for headers. I`m in the market for a 70-74 2-door Maverick,and would like to install headers,what fits?,and I`m guessing the "drop them in place" before the engine goes in would be easier. Also I plan on an engine swap if I end up buying a six,to a 302. It`s been quite a few years,but if I recall correctly new engine mounts have to be WELDED in,yes,no? Any other problems I might encounter with the swap. I`m interested in a trade for my `70 Nova,details in classified under Wanted 70-74 2 door
