MG Sports Cars

The other project... :D

JD

There are a few of us running an EFI Ford 302 under the stock hood.

I would take a look at your exhaust manifold-header situation.

Just my opinion but I would (and did) raise the motor as high as you can under the stock hood to give more oil pan clearance and so your exhaust manifold will clear the frame rails.

Good to see your working on it again. Good luck

Joe

Hahaha! Well crap. I thought I was special.... :-( I thought I had looked extensively and didn't come across another that did. I plan on lifting it as high as I can. Makes my life easier. I plan on running a turbo so a manifold inverted may be an easy install with it that high. I had planned for that to be a later addition but hey when in Rome...I bought a set of hugger headers just in case I want to run the exhaust back first and run an aft mount turbo. Hope to get back on it sometime soon...

WOW!!!! I just realized I started this thread almost 2 years ago. :-( At least I knew in the beginning that this was long term. I have finally gotten some time to work on the chassis and surprise surprise lovely rust damage. What do you guys think? Is there a preferred way to fix the rails? Replace them, brace around them, or buy a new car?

James,

Looking good! You're not the first to fit a 302 without hood mods, but it still feels damn good to be able to close a stock hood over that motor! One thing you've discovered is by moving the engine way back, you have a lot more room to play with. My 5.0 with the '94-'95 intake (which is shorter than yours) fits under a stock hood and keeps the heater shelf intact, but I decided to use an mgc hood because I like the way it looks and it allows me to use the factory alternator mount. If I ever get around to finishing the project I might look into an aftermarket accessory drive because everything up front is really tight with the radiator/ac condenser etc. You also have a nice benefit of having more room for the headers! I just had to keep the heater here in Nebraska!

Thanks for the input mgbreis! I haven't gotten to the final design of the engine but I am definitely weighing the options you mentioned. The more room/performance the better!!!

Anyone have a good link or insight into the frame reinforcement? I plan to run a decent amount of power and want to make sure it is up to it. Also looking to pick up a Hobart 140 to finish out the resto. My crappy mig isn't keeping up. Any pointers or links would be much appreciated!!!