my first v8 ranger swap

[my89ranger]

i have a 89 ranger with 4 banger 5 speed. long wheel base single cab. this was my first truck and have always wanted to do the swap finaly getting around to doin it. i have found a running truck (around 92 or so) f150 with302 with an aod.. i am planning on doing away with all the fuel injecton and putting a carb on it. as like most people dont have a whole ton of money to put in it so doing a budget build. gonna do away with all the ac and heater stuff. basically a street strip truck. so heater case clearance will not be an issue. i have a ford explorier rad that i HOPE will be big enough to cool this thing. planing on putting a oil pan from a fox body stang. have a few questions about the swap. have set of fox body stock headers will these work for the swap with some modifications? and what should i do about motor mounts? will a aod bell housing clear the body without using a big hammer? and will i be able to use my stock drive shaft or will i have to have it cut down or extended? planning on using elec fuel pump and fuel cell in the back.. going to keep the 7.5 rear in there for now until i have the power to break it lol. any help with my questions will be appreciated thanks..

 

[Psychopete]

i have a ford explorier rad that i HOPE will be big enough to cool this thing. planing on putting a oil pan from a fox body stang. have a few questions about the swap. have set of fox body stock headers will these work for the swap with some modifications? and what should i do about motor mounts? will a aod bell housing clear the body without using a big hammer? and will i be able to use my stock drive shaft or will i have to have it cut down or extended? planning on using elec fuel pump and fuel cell in the back.. going to keep the 7.5 rear in there for now until i have the power to break it lol. any help with my questions will be appreciated thanks..

Heater is not bad to keep if you stick with stock valve covers. Sounds like you're going after the right pan. Headers might not work (I'd guess), you'll have have to see. Motor mounts, they have kits, make plates that mount to stock, or convertible Mustang mounts that are flipped (search).

The bell housing is dependent on how you put the trans in. Might as well bang in that seam so that it's out of the way. I installed my AOD from the bottom of the truck and it wouldn't have been possible with out a transmission jack. May have been about 1/8" of clearance messing around with the angles, the problem is the radium arm bracket and part of the trans tunnel. Once you get it past that point, there is plently of room. Using a big hammer (not necessary) but should be the least of your worries. I had to move the trans mount brackets forward to the next set of hole and spent a lot of time drilling and grinding the steel inserts(?) that keep it fastened to the frame.

My stock drive shaft is way too short ('88 single cab long bed). Just have to see. Stock yoke also didn't fit.

Pete

 

[my89ranger]

ok thanks. thought about doin a small body lift but dont want to unless i have too. thanks alot man