Crate Motor Install

[J&MStang]

Originally posted by diablopony
Thanks for the advice on the fuel pump eccentric and timing cover. This is exactly what I need to know. My goal is to make the new 5.0 look a lot like the 289 in the engine compartment.

Along thoese lines, I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on distributors. Mine is the stock one with Pertronix electronic ignition. I like the look, but I'm not sure it is up to the task on the new motor. All the others I've seen on Mustangs (Mallory, MSD, etc.) don't look anything like the stock one.

Thanks again for all your help.

The shaft lenght is longer on 5.0's, so I took no chances and installed a Mallory built for the 5.0L HO. The Mallory numbers you can choose from are basically 2770401 (Dual Points) and 4770401 (Unilite). If you wish to buy the Dual Points first, it is upgradeable to the Unilite electronic configuration. Also if you wish a capacitive discharge box, the Mallory Hyfire is a good choice. Realize if you go to capacitive discharge ignition, the cap, rotor and wires need to be upgraded to take the really hot ignition voltages. I'm using the Dual Points because it was relatively cheap ($149).

You can also use the Duraspark II but theres a lot of wiring I didn't fully understand, so I skipped it. The MSD distributor has a bigger head and I was concerned about manifold clearance with my Weiand. The Mallory DP fits fine in that respect but is very close to my monte carlo bar. To service the distributor and points I have to take the monte carlo bar off first. Perhaps the curved kind would work better; I've been considering it.

I had the same idea about making the -a52 Motorsport a 289 clone. The Motorsport has GT40 heads/valves and hence the early Hi-Po valve covers I planned to use didn't fit. I also tried some Scott Drake "Cobras" and they too did not fit. I understand the Ford Racing version of these will fit. I tried the Ford Racing polished aluminum next and they fit so that's what I kept. The others were returned to the Mustang parts vendor.

With T5-Z, I had to shorten the driveshaft 1" even though I used a T5 conversion yoke. 7/8" would have been ideal.

I also used a '64 Galaxie upper radiator hose as it fit much better than the '65 Mustang 289 hose. Galaxie hose fit like it was made for the swap. Note: the Weiand manifold I chose may have impacted the fit of the classic Mustang hose. The It fit like crap which caused me to search for another. I thought a Falcon hose might work and in stopping by Obsolete Ford Parts, I found the Galaxie. Note: my problem was the Mustang hose flattened out when I tried to make it fit. I tried it both ways just in case the marking "RAD" was incorrect.