Yep trying to find what you need quickly on these forums can be troubling. Sometimes you get the snotty people telling you to look its been posted on here before (duh). Now, I am one to actually look before I post, and I have to tell you I haven't found much. SO this is what Im facing. I would like to put a 351 W in my 86 Thunderbird (that had a V8) but Im not sure what I would need to change to do so. The engine is an 80's 351 HO (so I was told) out of a truck and it is carbureted. I may back it with the C6 that it was originally connected to. So, if someone has done it or knows how to do it, any help would be greatly appreciated. :punchballs:
it's no different than it is with a mustang. tons of info on the net pertaining to 351W mustang swaps.
yeah Im finding out that. Most concerns the hood but I believe the thunderbird's hood is higher. Other than that Im seeing discrepencies on motor mounts and headers. Ill keep digging
That depends on which intake/motor mounts/k-member you use.
I just posted these on Craigslist but I think shipping would be close to $100. But if you need this or anybody else on the forum I will sell it for $300 shipped (lower 48).
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/pts/1651680723.html
TED
You will need the oil pan and pickup from a 351W panther chassis car (full size LTD grand marquis etc) aswell to fit the cross member.
Scott
There's approximately an extra inch of room to play with under a T-bird/Cougar hood FWIW
And it's TOO
Not TO......
I don't think I'm snotty! but do you plan to keep it carbed?
If you go FI you will probably have hood clearance problems.You may have that also with the carb setup depending on the intake you use. Every swap from what's not normal will have pitfalls, you either plan for them or make it happen.
You can make it fit carbed. I've seen it done.
Just a FYI but FRPP makes a 351W fox swap oil pan and pickup tube. I think it costs ~ $100-150.
LOL@kitz. Yeah Im finding the same concerns you guys did. I plan to keep it carbed
FTLSCI71 and his son put one in a Tbird, and it fit without hood problems. Your '86 is the crossover year on motor mounts, but if you still have the 5.0 mounts, or buy the proper set from ChuckW, you'll be ok there. Plus the oil pan issue. Headers not sure, but I would think Mustang style would work. C6 would require some trans mount adjustments, and maybe even tunnel clearance via BFH. I have a C4 w/bigblock bellhousing, and it fit, so any interference will be on the back half.
Ford racing oilpan $130 bbk headers $230 from summit get motor mounts from chuck a c6 has clearance issues i put a 351 in a 88 tc not easy or cheap but its fast.go to cool cats .com eric was alot of help
Your 86 came from the factory with a V-8. That makes this swap easy. Use your same motor mounts, timing cover, water pump and fan. Accessory mounts might be a slight problem because the 351W heads sit further away from the crank than the 5.0.
C-6 trans fits fine. You can also use the factory issue 5.0 AOD trans mount....bolts right up. Floor shifter is a must if you use long tube 351W headers.
I have a 460 BB C-6 trans in the Gray 83 T-Bird and it fits o.k., so I have some first hand experience there. Small block C-6 is smaller than the BB C-6 in the bellhousing area.
A carbed 351W should be easy.
If you have an in tank 40 psi EFI pump you can try this for a easy and quick fix to get 6.5 psi to your carb:
I bought some brass fittings and built a "T" where fuel comes in and shoots across the T and returns back to the tank. Since the return line is smaller than the feedline, it produces a natural restriction and it comes out the side of the T at a perfect 6.5 psi. to the carb :D
These 2 pics are from my 84 Bird that was converted from EFI to carb.
My hand is touching the feed line from the tank.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/Fuellog2.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/fuellog1.jpg)