OT engine swap

Tony S. · Sep 16, 2011

I've been wondering about the possibility of putting a newer Ford 5.0 fuel injected engine in an older vehicle, computer and all. Has anybody done it?

ShadetreeRet · Sep 17, 2011

Haven't done it myself, but I know it has been done. If there is a performance or speed shop in your area, might want to consult them. There is stuff available to simplify the job. One thing to keep in mind, if you install an FI engine you will need to change out the fuel system to one with an electric in-tank fuel pump. If done correctly, you should see improved performance as well as fuel mileage. Good luck.

sixtyninegmc · Sep 17, 2011

There are aftermarket high-pressure (50-60 PSI) fuel pumps for injection systems you can mount outside the tank. That said, I would prefer the in-tank, because the fuel cools the pump better.

Mike (WA) · Sep 17, 2011

My brother-in-law put one in a '68 Cougar. He said figuring out the electronics was difficult, and he's a very smart guy. But as said, there is aftermarket stuff available, depending on what vehicle you're swapping it into.

oldtanker · Sep 17, 2011

Tony, I've seen conversion kits for wiring to make that conversion.
Check out this link

http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/largeview.php?SearchField=60510&SearchAll=Trucks

Don't know the cost or what project you are considering but that handles the wiring end of it. You would still have to have a fuel pump that makes enough pressure and maybe a fuel return line. So it's doable, you just have to decide if it's worth the effort. IMO the bennies would make it worth while.

Rick

cole in mo. · Sep 17, 2011

Last year at the local car show a guy had a 1956 ford 2 dr hard top with a later mustang engine. looked like henry had put it there, said he got an aftermarket wiring harness and had no problems hooking things up.

Fordfarmer · Sep 17, 2011

If you mean an '80's-'90's 5.0, it's been done many times. Many articles in past issues of Mustang Monthly and other magazines. If you mean the current 5.0, it's new enough that I haven't heard of anyone doing it... but I'm sure it will happen.

k6zrx · Sep 17, 2011

We put a 1992 Ford 5.0 with AOD transmission into a "48 F1 truck that has Jag running gear. Made for a really nice truck that surprisingly can still haul a pretty good size load. The wiring harness was very expensive. It was however easy, but never again. We gave up the stock Ford computer and I built a "MegaSquirt" EFI controller. Runs much stronger now, and everything is tunable yourself. It even corrects timing and fueling for altitude on the fly since the truck will be driven from sea level to 8000", then to 4000" in one non stop run. No more crappy idle and dying when getting into Reno like the stock computers do. We would, no matter if using MegaSquirt or a stock computer, make our own wiring harness from salvaged parts from the donor car. There are good Ford wiring diagrams out there, so it takes some time, but saves lots of $$$.

That is my friends truck. I still drive around in cars with 6 volt systems and flatehead engines and intend to keep doing so. It is simpler.

I have no connection to the vendor and info link provided other than that is where I learned a lot and got my kit.

Josh
Where I got the computer kit and lots of EFI info...

jose bagge · Sep 17, 2011

Single most common breakdown on mid-nineties Ford 460 powered motorhomes ( I towed with a 96) was tank mounted fuel pumps going south from heat- you start up a long incline ( AFton Muntain outside of Charlottesville was famous for this), uncover the pump and they'd get hot and quit. Pulling the tank out of a motor home is a pain the rear, so a pile of folks jerry-rigged external frame mounted pumps and pulled right through the old tank pump. Later versions of the in tank pumps must have gotten it square, because they seem bomb proof now.

Kentb of SWMO · Sep 17, 2011

I would like to get the group of engineers and Bean Counters that decided to put the fuel pump in the tank. Then make them pull about 20 fuel tank from farm trucks that were covered with mud and cow manure. THEN see if they could think of something better. That said, Ford Heavy Duty trucks that used the 401, 477, and 534 engine had the pumps in the fuel tanks in the late 50's/ 60's.

Kent

OT engine swap

Tony S.

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ShadetreeRet

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sixtyninegmc

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Mike (WA)

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oldtanker

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cole in mo.

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Fordfarmer

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k6zrx

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jose bagge

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Kentb of SWMO

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