my attempt to put a 302 ford in a 69 spider - Page 2

**alfavulcan** · #16 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tifosi

@ alfavulcan:

Silly rabbit, Pintos are meant to have 351C Boss powerplants.

Just remove the bodywork around the front end, cut the radiator frame out of the car, slip in the engine and trans through the now really big hole the front of the car, then weld the frame back on and replace the tin.

Easy as pie, other than getting a driveshaft for it and fiddling the exhaust.

Oh, and hoping the starter motor lasts a really long time and that you've got some spare windshields for all of them that'll crack due to torque stress on the chassis if it's not properly reinforced

v8spiderman · #17 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 08:59 PM

I looked at those headers..the ones w/ the front dumps didnt keep the exits against the block tight enough. The headers that do stick tight against the block dump approx in the middle of the block, not foreward enough to clear the mounts in the alfa.

Today I mounted the stock manifolds and started bending the pipes. They will run from passenger side across under in front of the motor and turn back on the drivers side, then the driverside will be doing a 180 to meld into the pipe that wraps around from the front..all pipes are 2 inch dia...

Also today I re-installed the front swaybar. (was removed thinking front radiator lower mounts would need the room) I moved the radiator foreward .

And I think FRY is putting it lightly...remember its only a 175/65r14 we are throwing that torque at...

Good thig the owner/driver is a sane driver...no jackrabbit starts...

oh!..and that suspected "stress crack"..yep!..it was a crack..and the big bogger weld that it started from, Had been rotten on the other side...
That has been ground out ,metal fitted in, and rewelded properly..

THANKS.

v8spiderman · #18 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 09:21 PM

The "stress crack" was spotted in my pics by VeloceOne.
the crack is now repaired.
thanks to VeloceOne for the keen eye.

that notch in the crossmember is for starter clearance. And YES. you can change the starter w/o removing the exhaust. (but you do need to take a small bit off the starter. and use a style starter.)

**Tifosi** · #19 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v8spiderman

The headers that do stick tight against the block dump approx in the middle of the block, not foreward enough to clear the mounts in the alfa.

v8spiderman · #20 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 10:25 PM

the stock manifolds are opposite side that they were intended for stock.
and I did try aftermarket headers..4 differant tube style headers....block huggers (2 differant manufactures) 2 differant ones from Sanderson, and a chopped up set (to see what options I could come up w/.
trying to keep cost down where possible.

pics of the exhaust comming soon.

thanks

Dan Walker · #21 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 01:10 PM

Interesting concept- true, a lot of purists would prefer to see a later less rare spider (a series 2-4 Kamm tail) used, or no non alfa v-8 conversion at all on ANY Spider, but I like the fact that the owner wants to keep the original lines and stock exterior appearance- should be a blast to drive with the extra horsepower as long as the balance isn't upset too much- I'd go along with more robust brakes and beefed up suspension for any extra weight and power. Keep us posted on the progress- always good to see such an ambitious endeavor, especially if it actually gets finished and on the road!

tomgtv6 · #22 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 03:02 PM

This section of the BB is for the heretic. As rare as a round tail is to an Alfa lover, I know of Cobras, 250GT Ferraris, and a D type Jag that received way more hurt. I just saw a Jenson 541 that the guy put a chevy truck 6 in.

v8spiderman · #23 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 05:15 PM

here's a few latest pics.
origionally we had the alt mounted on the driver side..that was too much in the way of the upper radiator hose.
SO..
today the alt got moved to the passenger side.
and I completed the exhaust Y pipe.

Next will be to work the steering through its motion and fit the exhaust pipe past it to the muffler.
the stock exhaust manifold on the driverside of the block, intew/ mounting the oil filter..So that will be remote mounted. and possibly an engine oil cooler as well.

**Tifosi** · #24 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 06:52 PM

Damn.

Getting right after it ain'tcha.

**alfavulcan** · #25 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 06:52 AM

how are you fitting a radiator? the ford small block has a long water pump. ford motorsport sells [ or sold] a short water pump and pulley setup that is 1 1/2" shorter. you really should talk to you customer about a t5 manual box instead of the aod. much lighter and a little more in character with the car. still has a deep overdrive in 5th gear

Alfajay · #26 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfavulcan

.... and a little more in character with the car. still has a deep overdrive in 5th gear

**alfavulcan** · #27 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfajay

In CHARACTER for a Duetto fitted with a Ford V8 engine???

IN CHARACTER????????

Heck, keeping this monstrosity in character would involve painting it pink, putting flames on the sides, and installing a purple velour interior. Oh, and don't forget the 20" wheels and neon underneath.

Do you get the impression that I am offended by this thing? Not by the quality of work being done, or the effort going into it, but just by the concept of trying to make a roundtail into something that it isn't.

**velocewhippet** · #28 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 05:00 PM

No, thats not a wrong choice of words. Putting "...a t5 manual box instead of the aod. much lighter and a little more in character with the car." IS a little more in character with the car.

In the end, it isn't going to be something it isn't, it's going to be what it is.

And if you or I don't like it, let's not do the same to our cars (not that I'm considering anything like this). But I'm glad v8spiderman is documenting this conversion for us.

v8spiderman · #29 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 08:05 PM

the radiator is custom sized for the car.Fits infront of the water pump about 1 inch.
there will be no fan on the waterpump. mostly cause of no room, being so close to the hood the fan would be maybe 8 inch dia...WAY too small.

There will be an electric fan mounted infront of the radiator.

The hood hindge mounting structure has been modified to allow the radiator to be pushed foreward of the stock location..and wider than stock as well.
this is a 4 core unit.

THIS CAR IS TO LOOK STOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE.
w/ a flat stock hood, and single exhaust pipe out the back.
except for the large trans tunnel w/ B&M shifter, the interior is going to be re-done in stock reproduction trim.

v8spiderman · #30 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 09:41 PM

hi there again.
Finally I have pics of what I came up with to mount the radiator.

A stud on the lower support connected to the radiator, That stud goes into a hole in the radiator lower support mount.. a simple rubber ring pads it.

The top is held in by a wedge clamp that bolts in under the hood hinges.

The lower radiator hose is a standard off the shelf hose.. ( good thing I had over a hundred to look through)

The upper radiator is 2 rubber elbows and a 1.75" tube .

There will be a sealed catch can w/ radiator cap installed.