Potential engine swap donor

So, my 71 Maverick already has a 302. That said I have always considered swapping in a 5.0 EFI and possibly an AOD transmission for fuel efficiency. My first question is would this swap be worth the effort being that I already have a 302? The reason I am wondering at the moment is that people are moving out of town here, (college town), and this is for sale here. So my next question... does this seem like a suitable donor? I haven't gone to look at it yet, but it sounds right.

http://pennstate.craigslist.org/cto/1746460200.html

 

Well, if you are going to use the AOD then you will need a set of gears to bring you stock gears to 3.89 - 4.20. That will give you better acceleration in the lower gears and a slightly lower RPM at freeway speeds for better mileage. If you keep the stock gears your engine rpm will be at a high idle at freeway speeds. Even with computer controlled fuel injection that will not improve your economy. It would be even worse with a carburetor.

 

Don't use the MN12 intake or exhaust manifolds, they suck. Pick up a stock ho upper intake ($20.00 on eBay) and throttle body. The good thing about that particular ECM is it suports data streaming. For the EVP and AIR selonoids just solder a 150 ohm resister across the leads for each to avoid a code. There more to know here and there. The factory ratio for the thunderbird was 3.08 and the car weighs 3,800 lbs.

 

Is my assumption correct that this car would have an AOD? Should I assume I am shooting for 2000 to 2200 RPM at cruising speed?

 

Yes and yes.
The 91 T-bird had an AOD and the best RPM at freeway speeds is about 2200.

 

Some interesting info here. My current rear is 3.00 ratio. Which I think I could get by on until I get a chance to upgrade.

I was wondering if anyone could elaborate a bit on what data streaming allows exactly. I assume it has to do with being able to update the ECM, but I didn't think any OEM setup would allow that. I'll do some google searches too.

 

The A9P and A9L EECIV computers from 87-93 mustangs is the most common for a efi swap. But if you plug in a scanner (snap-on md2500 or MODIS ect ect) all you can get is beep codes and a cylinder balance test. The EECIV computers from the 91-93 MN12 will let you watch the engine paramters like throtle position, O2 voltages RPM and vehicle speed to name a few. If you end up with a electrical gremlin, this makes it easier to find.

 

That does sound extremely useful.

 

If you don't snatch it up, it'll make a perfoect Ranger swap donor with the short FEAD setup.

 

Did I read correctly that the stock C4 floor shifter will work with the AOD because the AOD only has 3 forward shifter positions?

 

Man i'd just buy that thunderbird and drive it!

 

I almost missed this comment. What does FEAD stand for and is this something I need to worry about for the Maverick?

 

yup, You will have to learn the 1-2 shuffle for manual second gear.

 

I just went and took a look at the car. It has 95k miles on it. It sputtered a bit on startup, but seemed to accelerate ok. Trans is supposed to have been rebuilt about 20k ago and seemed to shift ok. The kbb is $1060 for fair condition. Ad says $1000 OBO. Any suggestions on a good starting point? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do with the rest of the car once I've stripped it? Looks like the IRS chunk is an 8.8 with 3.08 and limited slip.

 

FEAD = Front End Accessory Drive. This is a term Ford uses for the accesory setup on their engines (P/S, A/C, W/P, Alternator, etc)