engine swap
 

will a 302 boss fit in a 65 coupe that has a straight 6 in it.without making extreme modifications?

Depends on what you mean by extreme, from memory, a partial list to do it right:
engine wiring harness
front suspension and brakes
radiator
upgrade transmission
drive shaft
rear end and brakes
wheels & probably tires
motor mounts
exhaust manifold/headers
What do you mean by a 302 boss? New engine with fuel injection?
computer
fuel lines
fuel pump
some way to get the return fuel into the gas tank

The general wisdom is to keep the car a I6 and save until you can afford to replace it with a V8 car.

I know you have to do motor mounts and possibly a transmission depending on whta type you have but it has been my experience that you don't have to do a rear end tire and brake upgrade un less your putting a ton more of power behind it. I also don't agree with having to by a V-8 car just to have a V-8.

if your thinking about going to A 302BOSS then change the rear end. you will need it. or ellse your going to be replacing your 7.5 inch rear end every weekend. but I like the idea of changing to A V8 cuz cuz it's A stang. dont sell it unless you need to. I plan on doing the same except I will use A 289.


ford kid

I said the general wisdom is to buy a V8 car if you want a V8. It is doable to put a V8 in a I6 car, but in addition to the mechanical challanges of the project, there is an impact on the resale value of the car. In fact my car started life as a I6, but now has a 302. It was not cheap and many parts came from a V8 parts car.
I strongly encourage anyone swapping in a V8 to upgrade the rearend. The 7.5 rear was not designed for the torque of a V8, otherwise Ford would have used it in the cars originally.

I'm working on building up a 302 block and the rest of the parts to swap out to V8, but I'm going to run the I6 200cid until that time. I assume I'll be working on the engine for a year or so, but I'm not giving up or anything. I know I'll have to change the motor mounts, radiator, computer, carb, everything else, but hey, thats what a project car is all about.

Do what you want. Someone may think the car is worth less to a collector, but there will always be someone who will want it, BAD.