First post here! I have a 56 F100, and am trying to put an 89 F150, 5.0, 302 engine and 5 speed manual transmission. What problems may I occur? How hard is it to set up the new motor mounts? Thank you.

 

lots to consider... your ability, condition of truck, $$$$$ this might help you make some decisions

http://jniolon.classicpickup.com/eng...e_mounting.htm

welcome to FTE
john

 

I put a 5.0 and 5 speed T10 in my 49. Hardest part was making the exhaust clear the steering column. More info on your plans would help- what are you doing with the front end -stock or???? Brakes stock or disk? Post picks
Welcome to the best site for info and help I am sure guys with 56s that have done this will come along soon with more info.
If you post pics you will get more responses! We love to see these old rigs
You also may want to put your location in upper right corner so guys in your area will usually respond also. Have fun

 

Like Dave said, Watch for steering box clearance. I used a 289 and a Toyota ps box. Wish I had offset the engine to the passenger side an inch or so for extra exhaust clearance. Also watch for fan to rad clearance , which varies based on fan spacer, elec vs mechanical, etc.

 

Hi 56F100 & welcome aboard! If you post pics of your '56
you'll get more folks looking & responding to your build thoughts.

At (20) years old you might find Budget to be the biggest challenge
to doing an engine swap. Does your '56 have a working engine in it?
It would probably be more cost effective to get that engine/trans combo
running vs. swapping over to a more modern drive train.

The biggest issue with swapping out an engine is project creep. Replacing
all the wiring ($400), replacing the Radiator ($400), Pulley's & brackets, (1)
wire alternator, Solid state ignition, Nice Edelbrock Carb, Power Steering, Front Disc Brakes,
Steering Column, Upgrading the Master Cylinder, Lokar Linkage, Transmission, Trans Cooler, etc.

I wish it was just the motor mounts but all this other stuff comes up as you tear into it. The
Mounts are pretty straight forward but will require mocking up your engine & transmission
to make sure everything will fit & you need someone with some good welding skills.

As Dmack (Dave) pointed out - you want to scoot the engine an inch or two to the passenger side as
you will need the room to get your steering column linkage routed around headers to the front end.
Normally the engine mounts are set to get a 3 degree tilt to them. The Windsor series engines will fit
in the space but you may have to tunnel your cab floor or the fire wall just a bit to ensure you have room for the Fan up front.

Good luck over there. Our truck has a 351W in it with an AOD transmission. The 289/302/351 Windsor engines are a common swap
& a lot of fun if you are patient & take your time. It's a good winter project.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1 (351W/AOD)

 

I put a 302/FMX in my 49 which is narrower than your 56. I fabricated the engine and transmission mounts which were relatively easy. I offset the engine two inches to the passenger side to accommodate a Volare power steering box which is quite large and used 65/66 Mustang 289 exhaust manifolds. I did use an electrical fan, however, due the to length of the engine since I did not want to alter the firewall. It is a fairly straightforward swap.

 

Do you have a floor or column mounted shifter for the FMX ?
I looks like when using a Lokar, or American Shifter, floor shifter for the FMX, you need to drop the trans pan and change the shifter rod.

 

I used a GM column with column shift and fabricated the linkage to the transmission using mostly GM parts.

 

I used the Lokar shifter, on my 1990 AOD and did not have to rotate linkage 180 degrees as it was on top.

This is in my '50 so like already stated watvh for steerin clearance with ex header, electric over mechanical fan, and shifted install 2" to passenger side.

 

I used the Lokar shifter, on my 1990 AOD and did not have to rotate linkage 180 degrees as it was on top. Fabbed cross member to support trans.

This is in my '50 so like already stated watch for steering clearance with ex header, electric over mechanical fan, and shift install 2" to passenger side.

 

BB Ford in the hot rod truck . Custom fabbed the heavy duty motor mounts . Lokar shifetr w/ one off carbon fiber trans cover . Mover the steering box down 2 " and out 1" to use the cast iron exhaust headers .