carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap September 15, 2007, 11:24:12 AM Let me start by telling you what car this 302 will being going in.Its a 1983 T-Bird with a carbed 3.8 engine and a c5 tranny.I would like to know what some of the [COLOR="Red"]major problems[/COLOR] I should expect to run into, while doing this swap.these are the things I can think of that would be a problem and I need the solution to them.1) moving the motor mounts2) using the wire harness that is currently in the car.3) will the k-member work with this swap?4) drive shaft length after swap.5) header clearance issues?6) hood clearance issues ?These are the things that I am aware of that need done.1) oil pan needs changed2) c5 tranny will not handle abuse (will be changed in the future)3) 7.5 rear end will not handle abuse (will change in the future)4) radiator swapthis will not be a high HP engine (220 to 250 HP) so I am not to concerned about the rear end or tranny rite now.I would really like to hear from the ones that have done this type of swap or that are really knowledgable about this. (not the ones that "THINK" they know what needs to be done.I have the will and capability to do this, but I dont want to get to deep into it, if it is going to be more headaches than its worth.Thanks for the input. Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #1 – September 15, 2007, 12:02:59 PM Going down your list of things I know:#2. If you go a simple duraspark box, you can use the stock harness. You have to do alittle splicing but it's not bad. Me and Carl have both done this. #5. It depends on the headers. I have a wild set of Mac equal legnth shorties and they clear, but bearly. If your going stock stang shorties or the like you will have no problems but you MUST use an H pipe #6. Depends on the intake and carb combo. With you HP level you want, I don't see any reason for a huge intake and a 2" spacer. You'll be fine For the stuff I'm not %100 on, #1. I don't think you have to move the motormounts, but just buy the V8 ones. #3. A big I duno #4. I'd assume you just get one from a V8 car Hope I helped in some way Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #2 – September 15, 2007, 12:14:55 PM what model of car are you getting the 302 from? if you find a bird that originally had a 302 you should be able to use its driveshaft. I'd think that you would be swapping engine and tranny at once or during the swap k-member should be the same for the 302. Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #3 – September 15, 2007, 12:30:32 PM Quote from: 88turbo;176435what model of car are you getting the 302 from? if you find a bird that originally had a 302 you should be able to use its driveshaft. I'd think that you would be swapping engine and tranny at once or during the swap k-member should be the same for the 302.the motor originally came out of a 1969. when I purchased the motor,it was pulled out of a 1977 car. Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #4 – September 16, 2007, 05:39:42 AM v-6 v-8 i 4 k member are the same. i-6 k member is a beast all to its own. the driveshaft should work the trans doesn't move at all from the swap. if you have your orignal k-member in the car and not an 85-88 use mustang motor mounts. in all actuality this swap is on the easy side of the scale. if you already have a duraspark ignition in the car use your box and coil and hook it up to the v-8 distributor. good luck dude. Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #5 – September 16, 2007, 07:43:56 PM Thanks Dude,this may not be as bad as I thought.One more ? .is it possible to use the alternator,power steering pump and the pulleys with the swap? Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #6 – September 16, 2007, 07:46:39 PM If not, I have an alternater bracket, power sterring pump, water pump pulley and I think an AC compresser for ya if you want. Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #7 – September 17, 2007, 02:17:46 PM Quote from: Chooglin;176433Let me start by telling you what car this 302 will being going in.Its a 1983 T-Bird with a carbed 3.8 engine and a c5 tranny.I would like to know what some of the [COLOR="Red"]major problems[/COLOR] I should expect to run into, while doing this swap.these are the things I can think of that would be a problem and I need the solution to them.1) moving the motor mounts2) using the wire harness that is currently in the car.3) will the k-member work with this swap?4) drive shaft length after swap.5) header clearance issues?6) hood clearance issues ?These are the things that I am aware of that need done.1) oil pan needs changed2) c5 tranny will not handle abuse (will be changed in the future)3) 7.5 rear end will not handle abuse (will change in the future)4) radiator swapthis will not be a high HP engine (220 to 250 HP) so I am not to concerned about the rear end or tranny rite now.I would really like to hear from the ones that have done this type of swap or that are really knowledgable about this. (not the ones that "THINK" they know what needs to be done.I have the will and capability to do this, but I dont want to get to deep into it, if it is going to be more headaches than its worth.Thanks for the input.Even though I have a V8 car I can answer a few things.You should be able to use mounts for a Fox Mustang that has a 302. The K members in the Birds were the same as the Mustang up to 85.Headers will be a beast all their own. Most of them should clear the Mustang style mounts. The problem will be you shifter. If you have a column shift it could get trickey. I have FMS stainless shorties and a Summit 2.5" H-pipe and they barely fit around the column shift linkage. You can pretty much get anything to fit as long as you're willing to play with it a little bit. You should have no hood clearance issues as long as you don't use a huge tunnel ram intake or something similar:hick: .Just wondering but what are your plans for the engine? What heads/cam are you planning on using? If you don't plan on going crazy the 7.5 might hold up fine for awhile. Me and V8Demon (who runs a TrickFlow top end kit) are running 3.73 Traction-Lok 7.5s behind our engines with no problems (so far:hick: ). If you're going to use slicks on the 7.5 you more than likely will break it but for street driving you should be ok. Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #8 – September 17, 2007, 04:14:12 PM Thanks for the info Thunder !!!!!the engine will be pretty close to stock.I would like to have a cam with a slight lope (nothing crazy).I really appreciate the help guys. As I get closer to doing this, I will have plenty more questions.just trying to get a idea what is going to be involved in this swap. Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #9 – September 17, 2007, 09:24:41 PM all you need to to is ask. remember the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked. Quote Selected
here you go...i just finished my exact swap Reply #10 – September 28, 2007, 08:43:40 AM i got an 84 t-bird that was t.b.i. v-6 with a.o.d. i bought for $40.00 a parts car from local junk yard. and rewired from bumper to bumper with an 83 wiring harness that was carb. v-6 and c-5. i put in my t-bird a 302 (0.30 over) and a c-4 trans. holley 600 , -8 fuel line from tank to reg, then carb. take a look at cardomain look for an 1984 thunderbird with about 70 pics or so from grand bay alabama. i would be more than happy to help you with whatever info you need. Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #11 – September 30, 2007, 02:43:43 PM Quote from: screaming306;179360i got an 84 t-bird that was t.b.i. v-6 with a.o.d. i bought for $40.00 a parts car from local junk yard. and rewired from bumper to bumper with an 83 wiring harness that was carb. v-6 and c-5. i put in my t-bird a 302 (0.30 over) and a c-4 trans. holley 600 , -8 fuel line from tank to reg, then carb. take a look at cardomain look for an 1984 thunderbird with about 70 pics or so from grand bay alabama. i would be more than happy to help you with whatever info you need. Thanks for the Info Scream..........PM sent Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #12 – October 01, 2007, 11:13:35 PM Just wondering but what do you plan as far as H/C/I? I'm just currious that's all:D Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #13 – October 02, 2007, 04:08:34 PM H/C/I?.................. Head/cam/intake?If this is what your asking.It will pretty much be stock.I will change the intake (four barrel carb).stock heads,mild cam.I talked to a guy that I know, who has a shop down in Tennessee.I will be taking the motor down there on October 28.these guys know alot more about what I want and need,more than I do,so I will let them handle it.I will bring it back to Ohio and finish it up here. Quote Selected
carbed 3.8 to carbed 302 swap Reply #14 – October 02, 2007, 10:20:10 PM Quote from: Chooglin;180292H/C/I?.................. Head/cam/intake?If this is what your asking.It will pretty much be stock.I will change the intake (four barrel carb).stock heads,mild cam.I talked to a guy that I know, who has a shop down in Tennessee.I will be taking the motor down there on October 28.these guys know alot more about what I want and need,more than I do,so I will let them handle it.I will bring it back to Ohio and finish it up here.Yep H/C/I = heads/cam/intake :D Sounds like a plan. It should be reliable with stockish parts. Probably run much better than the 3.8 it has now:D Quote Selected
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