hello Folks new to the forums have been lurking for a long time, finally getting to start on my 64 HT so naturally I have a few ? I have search the forums for some one that has installed a late model 4.6 DOHC in a 64 of 65 falcon but have not found and info. If I have missed it could you post the link. or if you have done this and are willing to give me some insight that would be great.

Thanks Don

It can absolutely be done, but it's not cheap or easy. That's probably why you're not finding much on it. The engine bay in these cars isn't wide enough to fit a 4.6L with the shock towers in place. Stuffing one in there requires removing the towers and installing a Mustang II type IFS front suspension kit. A member here whose name and handle is Mike Schnur did a Mustang II install into a '64 HT a few years back and did an excellent job of documenting the whole process in photos and text. It's all in a thread. You should be able to find it with the search feature. After you take that plunge, it's not really any different than any other engine install except for the EFI wiring. I'd suggest finding a '92-'94 Crown Vic or Grand Marquis to scavenge the engine management system from. They still used EEC-IV computers and are much easier to retrofit to an older vehicle.

Don,

Welcome to TFFN!

I was at the Falcon Regionals in 2001 that was sponsored by the Somoma and River City chapters. There was a square body Falcon with a 4.6 in it at that show. I can't locate my pictures from that one though. It was a tight fit though.

The reason many choose not to install that engine is varied. Partly the cost and amount of fabrication need to get it to fit and work properly. Another reason is that a 302 is a better prformer then a 281 engine. To get a Triton to perform, the cost is high and the parts are not readily available. The weight is a factor with earlier engines, but the aluminum versions are better weight wise.

The 302 is available from stock to a stoked 347. Parts are quite easy to locate and are affordable for most budgets. The 302 is also a small package that produces good power in the light Falcon. Physical dimension did not change from the intro of the 221, 260, and 289. The engine remained a nice compact package and was originally installed in Falcons as a plus.

There are many engine choices a person could make. For simplicity the I6 and small block V8 are almost a given. Everything needed to swap them in and find performance parts are available. The 281 (4.6) is but one choice a person can make. It is not a performance engine, but does have good lifespan and reliability as originally installed in the late models. Economy is not any better or worse then a small block V8. There are not any parts to swap them in currently, that are easily found. The engine bay and the tranny tunnel will have to be modified.

The Sonoma and River City chapters may have info on the one that I saw. Ron Wilson that owns Falcon Enterprises, may know who the individual is as a starting point.

Terry L. Rahn

After my 1960 Ranchero project, I was thinking of getting a wrecked Lincoln Mark VIII and pillaging everything I can. Then stuff it all into a 1960-65 Falcon, preferably a convertible.

I am currently swapping a 4.6l dohc into a 69 ford truck. Fortunately there isn't the space issue that you would have with a Falcon. Televorkian makes a wiring harness for this motor that that will make this swap alot easier. They are expensive though about $900. What is this engine out of? I think it would be a great swap this motor is very light compared to a smallblock. Fortunately there is a vast improvement with this motor over a 302. A stock 4.6l has about 300 horsepower and runs real smooth across the RPM range. The only downfall is the torque is not developed until a higher rpm, but that can be played with. All this and 26-28 mph on the hiway. no way a sbf will do this. I say go for it.

Don

last week i was at a guys garage in scottsdale he was one of the original founders of baer brake now he does front ends for performance mustangs mostly thats why i was there...anyway he said come out to the garage and take a look at my most recent project 67 mustang hardtop and he was putting in a v10 ford engine into it fuel injection and all he was having problems but i could see it was going to happen...

My '93 Cobra with a 500HP supercharged aluminum headed 5.0, T5, and 3.27 gears recently got a 27 MPG average on an 1,800 mile road trip with lots of big hills pulled at 80+ MPH. How is that possible? Mild cam, very good heads, and stay out of the boost until you need it to pass a semi while going up an 8% grade within the distance of two phone poles. Have your cake and eat it too. Mmmm. Cake.

-Mike S.

500 Supercharged HP on a 5.0 block? You are either crazy or lucky you have not split the block down the middle.

4.6 prices are coming way down and power potential is significantly higher. It IS a performance engine with a stock block capable of well in excess of 1,000 hp.

Stock 5.0 blocks with 500 blown HP are done all the time. The split blocks that I've seen happen at the 550-600 HP mark, but on a street car that rarely cracks max HP and only for a few seconds at a time, they can last a long time.

-MJS

Mike- my good friend has a garaged '93 supercharged with about 500 as well. His big problem is spitting intake gaskets under the boost pressure. Great cars!

Here's a gorgeous- I mean as nice as it gets '63 convertible I saw at the 05 national convention.





Andy

Yup, I've seen that car too.





He used the strut towers and the whole K member from the Cobra, with drastic fab work to the Falcon subframe (raised 6") to get everything to fit right. Not a job for the meek! Super clean, and five years ago it was about as cutting-edge as a street machine got. Still impressive.

-MJS

now thats a full engine bay, looks great i still like the old stuff because i can still work on it.

Amen to that.

I'm looking at a 98 Cobra tomorrow with a rebuilt 4.6 4 valve/T45 with the expressed interest in stuffing it in my 63 1/2 convertible. Might be too good a deal to pass up!