Beginning project truck soon. Have plans for installing one of 289 engines but have heard I need to plan on installing a new firewall to allow room. Anyone "been there & done that"? Also plan on a Mustang II IFS. Have heard that oil pan space is limited here as well. Concerned with amount of crossmember drop for engine / trans. Plan on using original frame with some patient boxing before I start experimenting with geometry of engine & trans. What do you think?

 

If you ever hear a flathead V8 with headers, dual Smitty's and a couple of deuces open up, you won't have to ask questions like this...IMHO

 

Sorry gbork, just had to poke a little fun. Actually the 289 is a sweet thing and I'm especially glad your keeping it in the family! (blue oval) I've never done the 289 swap so I'll get out of here and let someone talk that knows what they're doing. Good luck with the project - even tho I own a 48 F1, the 40/41 is my favorite body style. Keep us updated.....tim

 

Hi, this is going to be long!!!!! I have a 40, the fire wall has to be moved back 3" to accommodate the new V8 My truck is not on the original frame. I would reccomend changing the frame as the one it came with is not very rigid. My truck is on a che*y Luv chassis it has to be stretched out about 2" then the body falls on the luv chassis is boxed all the way back and has rack and pinion steering in it with torsion bar suspension so height is adjustable. my truck also has an 8.8 turbo t-bird rear so it has disc brakes on all four corners you will need a rear sump oil pan to clear all the frame work and suspension I have pictures of all of this if you want to see them. My truck came with a 454 in it so I know I have room for a 5.0 ford engine. I just finished my mustang project so this is the next one on the list.Let me know what you decide and I will try to help in anyway I can. This should work out good with two of us building the same truck we should be able to help with problems as they arise. John

 

Thanks Tim, appreciate response. Thought about going back to flathead city but nothing like a monster project like rebuilding the whole thing. Actually won't pick it up till Fri and still gathering info. Ambition is to box the existing frame, use a Heidt's air ride F & R w/ 4 bar, and mod the firewall to make a small block fit. All blue oval parts of course!
Glenn

 

Hi John. Thanks for info. Your likely a lot further along as I won't pick up the project till Fri. Really just a rolling chassis & cab w/ front hood & fenders. What made the decision easier is that cab was already chopped 4" long ago before the owner lost interest. Plan on boxing the frame & ready for a slow tedious process. Haven't looked into another chassis, heard Ranger frames are quite similar in size. Plan is to tackle a Heidt's IFS w/ air and similar 4 bar rear with air.
Found a little info on the firewall problem. Believe there just isn't enough room from rad to bellhousing to shoe horn it in.
What have you found on steering & headers & such. Using an IFS w/ front rack?
Plan on keeping mine simple,(right)and avoid to many more ambitious rebuilds. Keep you updated on any progress.
Glenn

 

Hi, haven't done much with it yet, I have been finishing up the 67 mustang coupe(2 1/2 Years WHEW) now thats done I can get to work on the 40 mine has a three inch chop so going stock was out the window. It's a shame because I got the truck with an "A" title I'm the second registered owner!!!! send me an email with your email address and I will send you pictures of what is done and you can use them for reference on the firewall and possible frame swap also have a t-bird rear goes in nice and easy. John

 

We're in the process of changing out the old and putting in the new in our 1941 Ford Truck. We are putting a 1986 Mustang 5.0 in it and planning on using the tranny, headers & all from this 1986 Mustang. We are using the original '41 frame with ours and the outer body will be original.

Just ordered almost everything we need from Chassis Engineering and are awaiting delivery. We are getting everything from motor mounts to front & rear shocks. I'm not exactly sure what all my Husband has ordered but do know that YES you do have to move the firewall back about 3".

We are going with the Chassis Engineering parts because they bolt on to the Original Frame. Also, a guy we met in Daytona has a '41 that he's already done. I don't recall what motor he put in it, but it was from a newer FORD. He's the one that turned us on to this company. He also showed us all of the suspension & mounting parts he used and how easy it was to do. We figure, seeing is believing.

My husband Steve could give you more detail on what all he ordered, but we seem to be having a problem with his Username and Password. I even tried to e-mail Ken Payne or John (Fatforty)from home and also from work but got the messages returned as undeliverable.

Once I can figure out how to get back into the loop on this site at home, he should be able to answer any questions you might have.

Carlene

 

Carlene, you can email me anytime at i967mustang(No Email Addresses In Posts!) if you can't get a message to me through the board if we have to I will relay the message to the board until you get it straightened out. John

 

Hi John, can e-mail me at gbork849(No Email Addresses In Posts!). Like to see the pix of the mods so I know what to expect. I am also an old Mustang fan. Currently wrapping up a '68 Shelby GT350 convert. Original w/ fresh paint in '95. Selling to put kids thru school. Will become the car "I never should have sold" but that's the comprimise.
Glenn

 

Sounds like you did all the right research. Found the Chassis Engineering info last week and began to start budgeting the mod parts. Will find out how good a welder I am when begin to tackle the firewall & floor steel work. Thanks for the info.
Glenn

 

Hi,I'm trying to find the best frame route for my 1940 truck.I would like to see the pics of your truck(Fatforty). And any pics anyone has of frame swaps for a forty truck. Thanks

cbw130ife(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

 

 

Just a follow up, what engine did you decide to go with.

 

I have a 47 half ton and i have a 302 with a c-4 tranny setting in it at this time, i see no need to move the firewall back 3" like the rest are talking about, yes there is some concern with the oil pan but a rear sump pan out of a fprd 4X4 with rear sump works and yes i do have an IFS installed , built my own motor mounts and engine stands.