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Tech | Engine ID
Back in the beginning of our classic Ford madness we used to wonder, “How can you tell the difference between a Ford 427, 428, and 429?” Also lurking in our mind was some confusion about the 351 Ford engine because there were two types, the Windsor and the Cleveland. When you’re walking the rows at a swap meet how is it possible to tell them apart? When it came to big-blocks there was also some confusion because there were really two varieties, the FE and the 385-series. The FE was introduced to replace the Y-block, and began at 352 cubic inches. However, the FE also came in 390, 406, 410, 427, and 428 cubic-inch displacements. Is it possible to tell a 427 from a 428 just by looking at it? The 385-series 429 and 460 engines were certainly big-blocks from the beginning, and, as you will see, it is possible to distinguish them from the earlier FE series at a glance.inline_mediumwraptextrightLet’s begin our discussion with the Fairlane V-8 series, sometimes called the short-deck engines. Originally offered in a 221 displacement and then in the 260 size, these two early displacements of the engine are fine in original applications, but the smaller bore size make most modern equipment not transferable. These two early displacements of the Fairlane V-8 have a five-bolt bellhousing pattern. The more popular 289-302 engines have a six-bolt bellhousing pattern. The engine in this photo, while it has a non-stock distributor from Davis Unified Ignition, shows a six-bolt valve cover pattern and horizontal orientation of the water outlet, which is part of the intake manifold. These characteristics are also shared by the 351 Windsor engine. The valve covers used are identical and the exterior architecture is very similar. The dimensions of an assembled 289 or 302 engine are 29Lx24Wx27 1/2H.26854781/techarticles/engine/mdmp_1004_how_to_identify_classic_ford_v8_enginesmdmp_1004_02_+classic_ford_engines+fairlane_v8.jpgTrue

Photo Gallery: How To Identify Classic Ford V-8 Engines – Modified Mustangs & Fords

Photo Gallery: How To Identify Classic Ford V-8 Engines – Modified Mustangs & Fords

Tech | Conversion Wiring Install
For those of us who’ve been around the block a few times I’m sure you remember hearing about the first 5.0L EFI Mustang engine swap into a classic Mustang. Maybe it was in your favorite magazine, or perhaps you walked by a nice Mustang at a show and had to do a double take when you looked to see what was under the hood. Regardless of where or when you first saw this swap, probably the first question you had in your mind was “how hard was it to do?”, followed quickly by “I wonder how much it cost?” Well, depending upon when you saw your first 5.0L EFI engine swap the answers could be “it was a pain in the butt” or “it was as simple as plugging in a few wires.” Reason being, early adopters always have it rougher. These fanatics go on a fact-finding mission, tearing into the project with abandon, buying up wiring diagrams and learning how every little subsystem works. So if you saw your first 5.0 EFI swap 15 years ago, it meant it took that owner a lot of trial and error, custom wiring, and fabrication of parts. Today it’s mostly a matter of which company do you want to buy your conversion wiring harness from (there are at least four that we know of) and how you’ll setup your fuel system. Yes, it has become that easy to install a 5.0L EFI engine into your Mustang or other classic Ford. Hell, there are whole companies that survive off of manufacturing swap parts and doing the conversions.inline_mediumwraptextrightThe 4.6L Three-Valve Control Pack, shown here, includes a custom-calibrated PCM, a chassis side harness (you reuse your engine side harness), Ford Racing cold air induction kit, ETC throttle pedal, Ford Racing mini power distribution block (PDB), a mass-air meter, and new oxygen sensors. The 5.4L Four-Valve kit also adds supercharger-specific cooling hoses and fittings as well.28089916/techarticles/mdmp_1004_modular_engine_swap_wiringmdmp_1004_01_+control_pack_chassis_harness+three_valve_control_pack.jpgTrue

Photo Gallery: Modular Engine Swap Wiring – Modified Mustangs & Fords

Photo Gallery: Modular Engine Swap Wiring – Modified Mustangs & Fords