Im going tomorrow to buy a 62 fairlane for my daughters first car. It currently has a 200 six and a 2 speed. Im good with the six but it has a thrown rod. What I need to know is what V8 would make the easiest swap. Before anyone says FE I know that would be correct but I no longer have any FE's. I have many clevelands, one 429, one 460. I could also come up with a 302 and auto as they are a dime a dozen. This is a really slick car new paint and interior, new suspension and steering system. As far as the 200 six and fordomatic 2 speed would it be worth rebuilding, or would that be a bad move. I'd love to put the 429CJ in there but then I would never let her drive it unless I could put a 1200 rpm rev limiter in it.

Also what front end mods would need to be done to handle the weight of a V8?

It kinda worked, here a link to the pic.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii281/chrisb161972/62fairlane.jpg

The 302 is the engine of choice as it will bolt in with the least amount of work. Mustang engine mounts and any small block transmission will work behind the 302 with the appropriate flexplate, bellhousing and starter. Manual transmissions included. If you go bigger on the engine you will have to modify the towers for clearance as this car is based on the early Falcon platform. You can shoehorn in a 351W or Cleveland however, the shock tower clearance is tight and headers are a must and kinda expensive. If you use the 302 early Mustang headers or manifolds will fit and clear everything. Approach it as an early Mustang or Falcon with a small V-8 and you'll have no troubles, it will all bolt together with little effort.

Front end is the same story, early Mustang V-8 parts fit and you can even use disc brakes however, don't neglect the rear end and brakes as well. The 6 cyl. rear end will do all right for a while behind the 302 but eventually you'll hook up that V-8 and blow the spiders out of the case. Oh yeah, the rear brakes for the 6 will get more than a workout; change them to the V-8 drums or better yet, discs. Happy wrenchin', nice looking car!!

The original motor mounts for the 221 or 260 had a 6 inch distance on the block. However, it's pretty easy to make it into a 7 inch mount. That said, any 221, 260, or early 289 will bolt in. The 302 will fit, but needs 7 inch mounts. The 351W fits and there are aftermarket headers for this swap. The 351C will fit as well, but that involves more mods than you probably want to do right now....IE daughter's car. Otherwise you can cut out the shock towers, and install Mustang II suspension., then sky's the limit. I have a '62 fairlane and meteor myself, waiting out back for builds.

As mentioned above, the mounting bosses and holes where the motor mount bolts to the block are 1" closer on the early blocks (221, 260 & early 289)compared to the later blocks. In the past, I have just welded an extension ear on the mount and drilled a new hole when using a later 289/302. This is usually the simplest approach as the frame attachment portion of the motor mounts for the early Fairlane are different than the Mustang/Falcon. You will also need to modify the transmission crossmember if you use an AOD transmission.

Another thing to consider, the small 6 cylinder was used up through the Fox body cars so you could easily locate a later 6 cylinder with transmission for an even easier swap.

Then after she has gained some driving experience, you might do a Father/Daughter 302 swap.

James

I started on mine, and thought I'd add a couple things. 1: the lower half of the original mounts are not reproduced. These are sought after. (me included)2: Crites Restorations make a mount kit for the later Windsor series to fit. Old news, maybe, but just in case.