I am soon going to start a project car. It is a 1982 Mustang L with an old 6 banger in it. My mechanic has found a 351C, tranny and rear end for the L and I was wondering how much re-inforcing may be needed on the front end to get this puppy to hold the 351. I plan on making it a show car.
Thanks
Jim

 

Maybe a new K-member (I'm not too familiar with Fox's) New suspension for sure - springs and shocks to handle the extra weight.

 

Thanks for the tip. The mechanic feels that he can weld some steel to the front k member to help stabilize it, I will probably go with heavy duty shocks and springs, hopefully I wont have to change too much in the steering end of it.
Jim

 

^^^sounds like a good plan. Maybe some sub-frame connectors to strengthen the car

 

Your in luck cause the Cleveland will basically drop right in, you just need the V8 K member.
Another thing too is that it shares the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the 5.0L, so if you want to go with a more modern trans, you can.
What you will need though is to find the engine swap headers for the Cleveland foxbody swap.
Extra bracing, a set of subframe connectors will do the job. The Cleveland in all reality is a small block,only the heads will add the weight due to there size as compared to a 5.0L heads...... well maybe the intake too if yours still has the cast iron intake on it. If you want to go the extra mile, Edelbrock does make a set of nice aluminum heads, and intake for the Cleveland in which will aid in the weight shavings department.....
Suspension, any aftermarket foxbody springs, and shocks will do.
What rear end are you going with?
This is a very cool project. Many guys have done this swap i t he past.
Make sure to keep updates, and stuff on this.

 

you da man +1^^^^ Off topic but the guy that was going to buy my car ended up buying a one owner (from Iowa) 73 Mustang vert with a 351. He asked if I would let him off the hook and I thought ah what the hell. Oh part of the reason for the fluid change and detailing lol

 

I am not sure on the rear end. I think my mechanic said it was a 9inch, don't quote me on this though. I will pop in and see him myself today as I would like to know myself. My mechanic found the whole drive train, engine transmission, and rear end for $500 bucks, he will be doing most of the work as I have two left hands when it comes to stuff like this.He is going to make an electrical generator out of the old 6 banger that is coming out of the 82. So far I have $500 for the car and $500 for the drive train invested in this car. You can see a few pics in my album of the project. Thanks for the tips, they will come in handy.
Jim