Ideal classic (carb) V8 for restomod falcon

[BPVan]

I wanted to wake this one back up as I am getting back to the van. My other projects are at a reasonable place and I can get back to the van at hand. Short story is I am done fighting the heat issues I am having with an inline 6. Moving to a 302 puts the exhaust headers outside my doghouse and the intake wont be bolted to the exhaust anymore.

The setup I am going for is a 302/AOD combo. Before I go crazy on internet research, is there a particular year range roller 302 to look for? EFI wont fit in my doghouse so is there anything to know when changing an EFI to a carb intake? I have to get an AOD from a Fox body mustang because it has the shorter tail shaft, perhaps this is a good era motor as well.

Larry mentioned heads, recommendation there? Im not looking for a race car, but a somewhat built street motor. I will be towing a small teardrop with it at some point but also want it to be fun.

Many opinions out there on all of this but I trust those here much better

[pbrown]

The 5.0 was made all the way up to 2001 in the V8 Explorer. They were introduced starting in 1985 with the HO engine. Any of these engines can be made to work for you. You just need to change the oil pan, intake manifold, timing cover, and water pump to standard early 302 stuff.

Consider looking for a complete 5.0/AOD combo and then swapping the engine components to get it to fit.

[Luva65wagon]

I had partly considered building a roller motor for the Ranchero a few (long) months back after I had the pushrod/guide infringement issue and wasn't sure how it would survive after that. I found most motors already pulled to be double the cost of a complete car with the same setup. So don't discount the idea of getting a complete running vehicle and stripping it of what you need.

I don't have a lot of experience with the roller version of the SBF, but I think they may all have had fuel injection. That crazy-big EFI setup. As Patrick said you can just bolt on the carb bits from a regular 302... or 351w. The latter might fit your van as easily and you can find those in a lot of pickups and vans as opposed to focusing on a car version 302/5.0. Transmission options may be similar as well.

Bottom-line... sounds like fun!

[BPVan]

Points noted, and agreed. The swap I just got done with for the band RV required a donor vehicle and cost about 1/3 of piecing it out. We just had to buy a Jasper 4R100 for it: $$$$$$$$$$

The AOD had 2 tail shaft lengths and I need the shorter one since my engine is closer to the rear diff than most vehicles. There were only so many passenger cars with short shaft AOD (Non -E). Add to that a 5.0 and I think I am limited to fox body mustangs for a full setup that will fit. The crown vics and the marquis had long shafts from what I can find.

I am not in a hurry as my van is running well as is, just have the carb boiling issue that is tolerable. I can hunt without pressure

[pbrown]

Keep the L6 and convert to EFI. There are several kits that bolt on like a carb and would eliminate the float bowl issue.

https://www.msdperformance.com/produ...tbi/parts/2900