It's a long one..... We have a '71 Maverick that we bracket race. We've run it with a TFS headed 302 for about 5 years now. Currently the car is apart for finishing (body, paint,etc...). We've been thinking of using the 302 in another car while this ones down. But that got me thinking... It just so happens that a friend of mine has a running 428 in an LTD (66 or 7? ). Now I'm dreaming of seeing that thing under the Mav's hood. I was wondering if anyone here has attempted this before? "On paper" it looks like I'll need a few things. Headers, motor mounts, and the many little things to hook it up. Major work like cutting the shock towers back won't be a problem. The only problem with using this motor the way it sits would be cyl. heads exhaust manifold bolt pattern. This motor has the two vertical bolts for each port, for a total of 8. I may have to switch to a set of 16 bolt heads. I guess it depends on which headers are used. The only other questions I have are: 1) Would the stock 302 frame mounts work with the 428's motor mounts? I assume I'll have to get a pair of FE motor mounts from a Mustang or Cougar. 2) Which headers would work? Hooker # 6114 which lists for '67-70 Mustang/Cougar -or- Hooker # 6376 which lists for '67-70 Mustang/Cougar, and '70-77 Maverick/Comet (ya right?) I hoping someone will have some info on the #6114's because they are about half the price of the other ones. 3) Which transmission should I use? If I go with the C6, what trans. tunnel or floorpan modifications would be needed? A manual transmission is definitly out. I'm also going to check the price of the bellhousings for using a C4 behind an FE. I'm seriously thinking about keeping the C4. Any opinions about that? 4) Which front coil springs should we use? I don't think the stock Mav. 6 cyl. springs would work. For now the motor is going to stay original (heavy). All I plan on doing is getting a gasket kit and a new timing chain. When it's rebuilt we'll go the aluminum route. 5) Also, I noticed on my friends '70 Cougar, that he has a cross brace between the frame rails on the bottom of the shock towers. It runs right underneath the oil pan to connect both sides. Would it be smart to fab up something like this? I'll bet that 428 weighs twice what my 302 weighs. I'm just thinking of the poor little Mav's frame. The rest of the car would be fine. We already have sub-frame connectors, heavy duty leaf springs, and a 9" rear. We're also planning on installing a roll bar to keep it legal. Any information or opinions anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks, Chris
Ahhhhhhh, the ole FE issue raises its ugly head again. For the record, anyone attempting to install an FE motor in a Maverick/Comet is going to blaze a trail of fabrication and frustration nothing short of NASA. Dan
Dan, Your problably right. I just can't get over the fact on how cool it would be. Like I said, "on paper" , except for those few questions I was asking, it looks like a straight forward case of parts swapping. Probably mostly Mustang parts. But, if this is attempted, I'm sure we are going to run into many (probably a million) problems. But, I think it's safe to assume it will be mostly from the physical size of the motor. After working on my freinds '70 Cougar, the engine bays look very similar in size. We did measure the width between the shock towers but I forgot what they were. I do remember they were farther apart then the Mav's (of coarse). We actually dropped his 351C into the Mav before we put it back in the Cougar. From the closest point, the motor was about an inch away from the shock tower in the Mav. In the Cougar, the motor is about 2" away from the shock tower. So like I said, the engine compartments are probably very similar in size. If Ford was able to squeeze the FE's in those cars, I'm sure with a little creative cutting, I'll be able to stuff it in the Mav. Chris
I think if you were to do it, it would be best to use a mustang II front end. Several reasons why: 1) finding a set of headers would be a pain even with the shock towers cut back the absolute maximum amount 2). If you managed to find headers, i don't think that the maverick shock towers could support an engine that heavy or torquey without some serious reinforcement There's always a way, it just depends on how much you want to spend in the process.
Saw a car this last sunday with a 429 in it. The car has be drag racing for a number of years and is now for sale. Sign said $4000. Location is in Pen Argle, Pa. Name is Barry Moyer. Another Mav at the show for $1000 but don't know who it is.
K.Merring, Did you happen to take a close look at it? I was wondering how the engine compartment looked? Was it just a modified stock one or was it the Mustang II/aftermarket? type CACollo was talking about. I still don't think I'll have to go as far as the Mustang II set-up. I know it would probly be easier, but I don't want to cut the car up that much. If that's the case then I'll probly just stick with a 351C 4V I was originally thinking about. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm going to work on getting the 428 next week. I'll also call Hooker to see if I can get any more info on the headers I listed. If I go through with this, I'm praying the Mustang #6114 headers will work. Even with some modifications, I think I'll make them work because they're about $400.00 cheaper then the other ones. I'm also not sure of the weight of the FE motors. I know there heavy. Heck, it wouldn't surprise me in stock form that they weigh twice as much as my 302 does now. Reinforcing the frame shouldn't be all that difficult. I've also decided to keep the C4. Then at least all I'll have to worry about is getting the engine in. Everything that's there now should still work. I'll let everyone know what I find out. Chris
I have never saw the car with the hood off. It has very large drag slick on with a narrow rear. Not a street car. Did see a early Mustang with a big block that had the spring towers in place but cut back on there lower halfs. The Mustang spring towers are also spaced wider than a Mav in there stock form. Sorry I can't provide all the info about the Mav unless I find the owner and take a look at it.
428 FE Swap Update (kind of) Well I haven't had the time to get ahold of the motor yet. I also e-mailed Hooker about their headers. I figured it would be much cheaper then calling them. It would have been one expensive phone call. But, I guess they are either busy or don't have an answer for me because it's been over a week. I'll wait until Monday and then I'll try giving them a call I guess. I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm very seriuosly looking into this. The only draw back is that even if I had everything I going to take awhile. But, I'll keep everyone updated with what I do or find out. I think the only thing that would keep me from doing this is if I can get ahold of a certain '58 Edsel Ranger that I've had my eye on. Then without a doubt, the 428 would go in there. Anyways, I'll keep you all posted. Chris
Chris I havn't seen this mentioned , but you could always use the stock manifolds or find some rarer? high flow stock manifolds. Or if you can do metal fabricating then you can buy a header kit to make your own headers that would probably fit better anyways. Willie
WillieSHOme, I've thought about the manifold route. A set of Cobra Jet exhaust manifolds would probably still make decent power, but they would cost more then headers. I also doubt the manifolds on the motor now will even come close to working. But, I'm going to check. I also got tired of waiting for Hooker to get back to me so I went ahead and called them. As I figured, all they could tell me is that I'll "probably" need to cut back the shock towers. As of right now, all three sets of headers that they list for the Maverick are obsolete. They are #'s 6374, 6375, & 6376. They did say that they have four sets of #6376's left. They are a straight 2" dia. primary tube with a 3.5" collectors. The big catch is that even though they list them to fit '67-70 Mustang's, Cougar's, and '70-77 Mav & Comets, they never verified the fitment on the Maverick chasis. Not that it surprises me. What I'll probably end up doing is either getting a set of their # 6114's or looking for a kit and make our own. The #6114's are just a regular set of Super Comps with 1.75" primaries. They are listed for '67-70 Mustang & Cougars with 390-428 motors. I'm also thinking that their smaller tubes will give us some breathing room. Chris
