Is this worth considering?
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Is this worth considering?
Would a 302/AOD out of a 1985 Mercury Cougar be a good candidate to swap into my 53? This is the combination I believe I want, but I don't know if I should be looking for another year. What I could find on line says that year was only rated for 130 hp. Sounds kind of wimpy. This one is fuel injected, and that scares me. Any input would be much appreciated! I can pick up the whole car for about $500, and it seems to run pretty good.
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Glendale, AZ
I am putting an 89 5.0 & AOD out of a mustang in my 60. I am using a motorsports harness & directions to accomplish the task. I will check to see if it is strictly for one type of system. I believe the differences are mass air & speed density with one being better than the other. Although I don't know what mine is I just know it is a great conversion after helping a buddy do the same in a 74. As for your Cougar, I don't know. Is it throttle body or port fuel injection? Is there a harness available with instructions? If it were me I'd come have a look at mine and start looking for a mustang. Mine is currently running and if I get the brakes bled it could wander around the block.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
I would do it in a heartbeat. The fuel injection is a bit daunting because few of us oldies know anything about how to set it up. But, for mileage and overall performance (as a driver), you can't beat it. The 302 can be easily pepped up with a few mods, but even at 130 hp, if it runs nice, it's a winner for anyone except a drag racer.
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Ok good feedback! BEME, I don't know if its throttle body or port, I also don't know if its speed density or mass flow. Now you know why I'm skiddish about it! I'd love to come look at your truck, I'll PM you and maybe I can come up tomorrow.
Randy, If its good enough for you it tickles me plum silly! Your truck Rocks! Thanks for the feedback. That's what I want, just a nice cruiser like yours. It doesn't have to be a race horse.
Thanks guys!
Randy, If its good enough for you it tickles me plum silly! Your truck Rocks! Thanks for the feedback. That's what I want, just a nice cruiser like yours. It doesn't have to be a race horse.
Thanks guys!
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
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From: Northshore, MN
FWIW 85 302's w/efi were still new with bugs and all, as Ford hadn't perfected it yet. However on mustang and cougar websites, they mostly explain SEFI and CFI conversions to mass-air. So further power possibilities exist. For $500 it's worth it. Also consider the 85 sensors are 20 years old, and will likely crap out if not replaced already, since most have a life expectancy of 10 years.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Earth
Originally Posted by havi
FWIW 85 302's w/efi were still new with bugs and all, as Ford hadn't perfected it yet. However on mustang and cougar websites, they mostly explain SEFI and CFI conversions to mass-air. So further power possibilities exist. For $500 it's worth it. Also consider the 85 sensors are 20 years old, and will likely crap out if not replaced already, since most have a life expectancy of 10 years.
If you wanted, buy the combo, convert it over to a carb setup and go with an MSD setup or something similar.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Breckenridge, Minn.
My 89 T-bird has Fuel injectors and it has a mass air flow sensor. But then again it is a Super Coupe with a supercharged 3.8 under the hood. I have seen the 5.0 and to my recalection they were injected as well. I would be in favor of the swap but make sure you transfer the ECC with the engine and tranny. Good luck.
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Hey Branden, would converting over to carburation be as easy as intake, carb, and distributor?
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I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
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From: Northshore, MN
yeah, pretty much. Is the cougar an XR-7? What was the build date on the door? They changed the rear axles midway thru 85. So possibly you have a quad shocked rear with 3.45 gears and a traction lock diff. Perhaps you could give me the car after yer done, of course I'm wayyyyyyyyyy too far away....as usual.
Last edited by havi; Mar 17, 2006 at 09:36 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
My son had an 85 TBird with this same combo (CFI and AOD). My advice: pass on it. The engine was rated 140 HP, the CFI (throttle-body fuel injection) sucked to say the least; it had NO diagnostics, a bunch of relays that needed tubing and wiring. It's also low compression, so you can't even convert it to a carb with good results. The AOD was fairly new then, and they were upgraded TWO TIMES after 85 to try to improve the OD servo. Only V8 Mustangs, Lincolns, and police/taxi AOD's from the 80's got the HD OD servo, but all of them can be upgraded to it (a rebuilt AOD costs about $1000). The worst of it is, the 85's had a throttle linkage to the trans (later ones were cable) and if the rod is out of adjustment very much, you can burn up the trans in 20 miles. It happens!
A late-80's model with true EFI is a quantum leap better, and an early 90's Mustang 5.0 with roller cam is another big leap. There isn't enough difference in cost between the 85 Cougar drivetrain and a good 90's Mustang set-up to even bother, IMHO anyway...
A late-80's model with true EFI is a quantum leap better, and an early 90's Mustang 5.0 with roller cam is another big leap. There isn't enough difference in cost between the 85 Cougar drivetrain and a good 90's Mustang set-up to even bother, IMHO anyway...
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Earth
If it interested you, it would be worth checking into. Post up in the general automotive forum and even in the 302 forum. You might be surprised who has done it.
Also, if you went to summitracing.com, you can enter your make/model/year and do a search on what is available in its current condition. I bet there are things available that you could upgrade on the current system.
Also, if you went to summitracing.com, you can enter your make/model/year and do a search on what is available in its current condition. I bet there are things available that you could upgrade on the current system.
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