I'm trying to get some idea of how reasonable (or unreasonable) it might be to swap a 390/428 into a 1970 Maverick. So have any of you done this swap or am I just looking for a huge headache? Thanks, Jim M
There have been some on here that have swapped in a 460. It only costs money. You would need to swap out the front end for a Mustang ll or an aftermarket.
It's been done. There are pics around. IMO, you are looking at a headache. Better off with a 351w or 351c IMO... Your opinion may vary.
Huge headache. the only motors to fit without changing the front end are windsor 302sand 351s. Anything else requires a complete Mii front end or some after market front end. You must get rid of the shock towers for the big motors.There is all kinds of info on this subject. TTFN RON
How about a nice 408 Cleveland or 427 Windsor? All the money you save on the big engine, and mods to fit it can go to a nice stroker kit. Then the weight savings will help with brakes and handling. You can use a Maverick friendly tranny this way too. C6 is a whole other ball of wax getting into a Mav.
there was a comet at carlisle last summer with an FE in it and a tower shave,All be it a healthy tower shave but not an MII swap.I tok a pic lemme see if I can find it.
Back in the day, they put 390s in Mavericks all the time. They practically bolt right in. A Cleveland will go right in the hole, too. Everything involved with major modification is a headache. It depends if you're willing to be in it for the long haul. If you get a gameplan & stick with it, you can accomplish anything. I mean c'mon, it's a car. It's not like you're trying to get the in-laws to like you or something!
Thanks for posting that! They did a great job there. I have seen many pics of FEs in our cars, however that is the first I have ever seen where they just had a simple tower shave. All the ones I have seen had the towers sectioned. I have never seen an M2 and FE combo, but to section the towers is quite a bit of work too. As a side note, both Hooker and Hedman made swap headers for FE Mavericks, but they both discontinued them 10 or 15 years ago. So headers might be an issue. I still hold the opinion though, that the added weight and mods to install a C6 make the FE an ill advised option. Also, why do a 390 when a 393w is dirt cheap and light weight. You'd have to do a 427 MR (or HR), or better yet 454 HR (427 block/428 crank) to make all the work, weight, and expense worthwhile.
Very true Ratio...but the cool factor is still well...cool.Wont be a corner carver though let alone a stop on a dime ride.
Yeah, I personally hate FEs myself. We always use to call them "an elephant on a treadmill." A stroked Windsor would definitely be the better choice. They can make 5-600hp & still be pretty comfortable on the street! Parts are a whole lot cheaper, too.
The SBF valve covers that are based on the FEs look very impressive on a 351w... Here they are on a 302:
That pic of the 390 in the Comet is badass! .... look how close the valve covers are to the shock tower braces ... It looks like my towers are cut enough already to get this done ... not going to do it though ... I like my 351W ...
Dyno Don had a FE in his Maverick IIRC Ive seen lots of pics of FEs in there w/ just tower mods. As much as I like FE's I wouldnt bother putting one in a maverick/comet The one I built for a F-100 ran great however. Also, those valve covers that are supposed to be "FE" covers on a SBF don't look that great to me
