3.8 to 5.0

February 25, 2013, 07:15:00 PM

I'm transplanting a 302 into my 87 cougar and looking for some tips. I have the 3.8 motor mounts which don't bolt up of course... what I need to know is if anyone knows where I could find the top halves to the mounts that will bolt to the 302 or if anyone knows where I could find a complete set for a reasonable price. Also the oil pan I have on the donor motor is a front sump and needs to be swapped to a rear sump which provides its own problems. The replacement shows a pan with low spots in the front and rear. Will this work with an existing throu the timing cover dipstick or will I have to find a pan that has the side hole for the dipstick since the motor is before the days of the dipstick hole in the side of the motor.

3.8 to 5.0

Reply #1 – February 25, 2013, 07:49:01 PM

Welcome to the forum! I would suggest checking out the search function as this has been hashed out quite a bit here. If you don't find the answers after some searches then post back up.

Darren

3.8 to 5.0

Reply #2 – February 25, 2013, 08:30:10 PM

To answer succinctly:
For mounts, email ChuckW here on the forum, he makes custom mounts that bypass the bracket that you need....that bracket is made of unobtanium, which is as rare as the common sense in all of the politicians in DC.
For an oil pan, anything from a Stang 5.0, or a 5.0 from a Mark VII, or basically any Fox car with a 5.0 will have the dual sump pan you need. They're also pretty cheap on ebay...a guy here picked one up the other day for less than 2 bills.
You'll also need to swap your EEC, as well as change the fuel lines, and some of your engine and headlight wiring.

As Darren stated, there's so much info available here, coolcats.net, and foxthundercats.net that you could read all week and still not see it all!

My opinion: find a wrecked but running '87 or 5.0 Bird or cat, and swap the fuel lines, engine wiring, eec, and other required parts to yours. Part out the rest, sell the shell for s unless some body panels are good, buy some GT40 heads, explorer intake, 65mm TB, and an EEC from a Mass Air Stang and get to moddin'.

The '87 3.8 cars were kind of an oddball with the CFI engine. All your engine bay stuff will need switched to the other side, battery tray, washer bottle, etc. Make sure you go with a V8 radiator too....I wouldn't imagine the 3.8's radiator would be up to task...some will disagree, but why chance it?

Happy hunting :)