Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Hey all,
I've heard of several members who've dropped in 460's into their Foxes.  Well, I may have access to a 428 (so the owner claims it is, but I have to confirm).  I doubt it's a CJ, but hey, you never know.  I have to confess, before I was a Fox-car fan, I was a '67/'70 Mustang fan.  I would like to buy the 428 from him, but I don't know exactly what I'd like to do with it.  I'd really like to drop it in a late-'60's Stang (since I've still not gotten over having to sell my R-code '69 Mach 1 a few years ago).  But, if I'm unable to find such a car at an affordable price, how difficult would it be to drop it in my '83 Cougar, and/or is it even practical?  I'm not sure how much a 460 weighs, but I remember that my 428CJ complete weighed 900+ lbs, I think.  What other factors would have to be considered?  Is there a prayer of shoehorning a C6 in a Fox?  Or a toploader 4-speed?  What about exhaust issues?  Cooling?  Anything else?  Thanks for any tips.

Fordman3

i've always wanted to put a big block in a fox.  there's a member (sleeper t-bird 87) who has a 429, i'm sure he'll speak up.  so you had a '69 mach, huh?  go here (http://"http://www.cardomain.com/id/kewlbird08") to see my '69 428 SCJ.

First i would not put an FE engine in a fox. JMO

they are i belive close to 175 pnds heavier then a 385 series (370-460)

you will need heavier front springs

Second i belive moroso makes an oil pan for the FE in fox chassis

ive not seen any FE swap headers (they would have to be custom fabbed)

You will have to run a motor plate or fabricate mounts.

tubular k member is a have to have for room

You will need a 31x19 aluminum radiator and a fan capable of 2,600+ cfm of airflow.

C-6 will fit fine but is tight around the tunnel

top loader you will have to split/add material to the trans tunnel for the linkage.
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It would be tons easier to swap in a 429/460

headers,mounts,oil pans, etc are avalible. mustang tubular k member makes it a drop in swap.

a set of v-8 springs should provide a decent ride height



I am interested in selling my swap stuff, motor trans radiator etc..
p/m me if interested.

kewlbird08 and sleeper,
Thanks for the advice.  In some ways I think it would be sacrilege to put an FE in a Fox car, even if everything else was simple.  I just think a 428 belongs in a Mustang (sorry guys, like I said, I was a Mustang lover first).  If the motor is a 428, and if I can afford it, I want it, even if I have nothing to put it in.  Heck, I'll even try to find a late-70's F150 and drop it in.  I've gotta make sure that's even what it is.  I've got several books around that will probably tell me exactly how to recognize the block, but in case I don't, what am I looking for to know if it's a 428.  The owner says it "looks like a 390, but has more exhaust manifold bolts than a 390".  That's all I have to go on at this time until I see it.

kewlbird08,
Man, your SCJ is sweet!  Mine wasn't an SCJ, just the standard R-code CJ.  It was a 4-speed with 3.50 Trac-Lok rear, Shaker scoop, power brakes (no power steering!!), 14" Magnum 500's, factory tach, F/R spoilers, and rear window louvers.  I was supposed to have the staggered shocks, but that was missing.  It was originally Silver Jade, but had been re-painted white, with '70 Boss 302 striping.  At a glance it looked like a white '70 Boss 302.  I've actually got a picture of it somewhere in the Lounge section from a couple months back, in a thread where members were posting their personal photos.  Did you do the restoration?  If so, wow!  My car wasn't a complete bomb, but it was a LONG way from being restored.  It was my long-term project, but after a layoff, when the money ran out, I had to let her go.  I hope somebody is doing her right somewhere.  I did have the motor rebuilt, to basically stock specs, and it wasn't cheap.  I didn't have the original 735cfm Holley, so I put on a Holley 750 double-pumper with mechanical secondaries.  I never could get the floats set right.

Anyway, thanks again for the help.  I somehow knew that it would be a major undertaking to put it in a Fox, but just wanted a second opinion.

Fordman3

the fe is actually LIGHTER than a 385. look up mario428 over on fordmuscle. he runs a 428cj in a 79 fairmont

here's his car
http://www.fordmuscle.com/readerscars/viewcars.php?uzer=Mario428

A FE weighs in the neighborhood of 675 lbs.... The 460s are definatly heavier...

ive been wrong before.. im just not a FE person

fordman: Just to clear things up... the car is not actually mine, it belongs to my father, but whats the difference? She sleeps with my bird:) Anyway yes, we did the whole restoration by ourselves (excluding bodywork, of course).  We finished it up last summer.  It's too bad about your car... I love this thing to death but my 'bird is my first choice, always.  Especially after I drop my 351 in there!  T-Bird is to my wife, as Mach 1 is to my girlfriend.  You do the math...