Hi, I've got a '75 250, and I want to swap a 302 into it. Now, being a high school student with a very limited budget, I am looking to get the most bang for my buck. I want to swap some V8 into my car, either an early 302 or a late model 5.0, whichever I can do the most budget friendly. Smog is not an issue. I was looking at perhaps getting an AOD or a T-5, but I have a friend with a C-4 (from a 302) that I can have to rebuild and use for free. I am wondering what direction I should take with this. I have power steering, which I would like to keep, but other than that, I am about open to anything. I can drive stick, but it seems like the T-5 swap would be too much work in implanting the clutch pedal assembly. My main question is how I should go about this swap while spending the least amount of money, and since I am not mechanically inclined, a mechanic will be doing almost all the work. Thanks Very Much
well it will be a diffrence of where u can find a 302, ive heard the later model 5.0s have nice advantages, if u check out the search function there are many threads about this. look in the tech articles section, some great info there
yeah ive read and searched probably half of the archives on the forum, i was hoping a few people could reiterate some points because i haven't really seen anything on here about being as inexpensive as possible. thanks
ah i understand, i was attemptin to be helpful with my limited knowledge haha but i think the biggest diffrence in price is going to be finding the engine at the cheapest price. a 302 is a 302 and minus the few changes u have already read about many of the accesories are the same. if u have access to a roller block cheaper go with that, if u can find an older 302 then go with that, thats just my thoughts
The most inexpensive way to do a V8 swap, it to buy a cheap V8 Maverick or Comet parts car, then you'll have everything you'll need, and in the end...it's never cheap.
If you got time to learn and make it a project... 87-93 Stang donor cars are not terribly hard to find. Get one with a 5.0/AOD. Swap all the wiring harness over into your car along with the engine/tranny. That way you have a reasonably priced powertrain with modern features like EFI and overdrive. When 5.0s pop up in my favorite yard, the engine/tranny combo, with all the little stuff thrown in, costs about a grand. That's running with a 90 day warranty.
The C4 can be made to take the same HP as an AOD for about one third the cost. In my experience the C4 is not only cheaper but a better transmission for performance. As for an engine, a late model from a wrecking yard is a great starting point if you can get it cheap. If you get the roller motor you can use either the EFI and computer or a manifold and carb with just the purchase of a manifold and carb. Buying used parts is going to be the cheap way to go but you need to buy parts that will fit together to make power. You also need the cross bar and mounting pads. You will have to buy new mounts. The 250 and 302 use the same radiators so what you have is good unless you are going to make lots of power. The cheapest way is to keep everything fairly stock. That way if your C4 is running good all you need is a $75 TransGo reprogramming kit (40-2) to make it perform. The engine can be left alone if it is in good condition or refreshed if it needs it - short of a full fledged rebuild or performance build-up. It all depends on how much you want to spend.
you'll have to get the swap parts to change the 6 to an 8. motor mounts, belly bar etc. sometimes you can find them on here. if you find a donor v-8 maverick you got it made. c-4 or an aod is the way to go for an automatic. stick with the c-4 if you can get it for free. Parts for this are going to be the cheapest thing if you are paying a mechanic to do the work.
Nothing about these cars has been "cheap" since that damn Comet GT appeared on Barrett-Jackson a few years ago. Now every idiot with a rust bucket in their yard or scrap parts in their shed thinks they can retire off of them.
Like others have said, it isn't going to be cheap. Especially if you are having a mechanic do all the work. I originally took a 302 out of a 78 Cougar and put it into my 74 Maverick. You'll have to find maverick chassis mounts, convert to electronic igniton (which you should do anyway) and numerous others. I agree with going with the C4. It is a good tranny and can handle a 302 easily. Part of the problem in getting a motor out of an old car is that it will probably need a rebuild. So you are looking at rebuilding a tranny and motor. Otherwise you are going to be constantly breaking down. Good luck. If I can be of any other help.....just ask.
$200, until you calculate shipping that hulk out to California:16suspect But, that is really the best way to do it. Junk yards in CA should have a couple laying around...
