project 302 snag

[keithm]

I've been collecting parts for awhile, and will soon be ready to start the install. I'm trying to make sure I have all my resources ready, the plan is to complete the swap in the shortest period of time as possible. Ideally less then a week.
I called James Duff to get some general information and all seemed good till I explained I am planning on installing an AOD, at that point they explained that their long tube header would not work because the AOD bell housing is deeper then the c-4. they recommended a body lift of 2". The problem I have with that is I just installed a bell tech drop kit and have the ride and look I want. So if I raise the body I lose the look. They also mentioned the mustang convertible motor mounts, wont work either, throws the motor alignment off.
Which had me questioning the radiator. Theres will fit up in the core support but they said you will not be able to run a/c. I'm not to worried about a/c I do that for a living, I can make that work.

If I use the sledge and fold the lip at the body seam will it give me the
clearance I need? Has anybody used an AOD and mustang motor mounts without a body lift and made it work. Looks like I'll have to go with the bronco manifolds no problem there but that bell housing has me concerned. AOD can only use the 164 flexplate as the bell housing is part of the trans.

Suffice it to say I really dont want to lift the body. Any ideas or experiences.

Thanks
Keith

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The AOD is tight but there is a bunch of them running around without a bodylift.

I would like to see how someone could keep A/C. I bucked the tradition and left the radiator in the stock location and ran a pusher fan. Most people move the rad ahead and run a puller. In either location the condenser space is eaten up by either the fan or raditor not to mention tranny coolers.

And then we run into valve cover and heater box friction too...

People do it, I just wonder how.

I have a 164t C5, Hedman 88400 headers fit nice. Might need to continue your seem folding for the left side but otherwise I have no complaints. I also have a bodylift, there are pics of different headers in the helpful links sticky at the top of the v8 swap forum. People have tweaked the Shelby style tri-y's to fit with the better 164t on 2wd's too.

 

[morse johnson]

i dont know if this will help you out any at all but i have a 1990 xlt ranger tho..but i used mustang motor mounts. i did make my own mount plate out of 1/4 flat steel plate and the motor sats pretty good. You will get alot of peeps telling you this and that but until you lower the motor in and get your marks you will never know what really works on your setup. I have a c4 behind mines.

 

[RangerSVT]

JD says you cant use stang mounts cause they want you to buy theirs....use a set of 2.9L/4.0L mounts with a flat 1/4" plate, re-shape the heater box, and set the engine far back as possible. The AOD will fit, and you can keep your AC. I kept mine along with overdrive trans, CC, and was 99% bolt in swap with very few custom mods. I set out to do this swap as easily as possible and with as limited special tools required to do the job. I succeeded. I should have made my own motor plates, but I used the explorer plates just to prove it could be done. Now I'm getting ready to redesign my engine bay as my 1-ton SAS is in progress...
SVT

 

[fordmike1]

I have a 94 Ranger and I have the 4R70W (Electronic AOD) in mine with out a body lift and it fits fine. As far as my A/C, its all in there and all I did was heated up my A/C box and used a glove and push the softened plastic back untill I had the clearence that I wanted. I lowered my rad down and moved it foward and had to trim very little to make the A/C condensor to fit in front of it. I am running a stock Explorer clutch fan on mine with a stock 3.0 V6 fan shroud and it all fits great with no fear of the fan hitting the rad. It all can be done if you just use your head a little and spend a little extra time doing it. I have pics if you would like to see all of this. I am heading out to SEMA in about 5 hrs. so I wont be able to send any pics untill I get back.

 

[keithm]

302 snag

I'd like to see the pictures, especially the exhaust clearances around the frame.

Thanks
Keith

 

[RangerSVT]

I too have the 4R70W (new school AOD), check out my build thread, first post for all the pics you need...
SVT

 

[keithm]

does anybody have any pics of the mustang convertible motor mounts and explorer headers, installed

 

[Teddyzee]

Here are Explorer headers. The pics are of an Explorer I was parting, 4r70w trans, you can get an idea of the shape of the (tiny!) manifolds.

 

[89Ranger5.0]

I had headmann swap headers (yuck. keyword had.) But they worked with the aod when I had it and they worked with no body lift. Had to notch frame for fitment on passanger side

 

[keithm]

pictures worth a thousand words. what do you think about the explorer headers are they power robbing? will that explorer radiator fit in a 90 ranger? hmm.
Thanks for the pictures they really do help. The thread on build pics help alot also.

Keith

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They are generally not that highly thought of. They are pinched and puckered and twisted... just not that great for performance.

Just looking at them, it would be tight with that bulb on the rear of the PS and the frame rail in my truck.

The regular 5.0 Ex radiator could be made to fit, it won't bolt in though. The 91-94 4.0 A/C automatic 2 core Explorer radiator will bolt right in. Works great for my 302.