It fits and runs

SWAPPING IN A 305, 350 OR ANY OTHER SMALL BLOCK, POST THEM HERE.

Topic author
Pigiron
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:53 pm
Location: Montana

It fits and runs

Post by Pigiron »

It fits and runs hard. Good mileage, lotsa power!
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It fits.
It fits.
The older I get the faster I was.

Topic author
Pigiron
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:53 pm
Location: Montana

Re: It fits and runs

Post by Pigiron »

A little more info. My 89 Safari 4 cyl. decided to eat a valve at 257,000 miles. I really like my van and wanted to keep it. So I built a 302 Ford and used a c-4 auto trans. A 9" Ford rearend out of a 86 Econoline bolted in. Took the insturment panel out and used Stewart Warner gages in a home made panel. Fit is great and it runs.
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Inside view of 302 Ford.
Inside view of 302 Ford.
The older I get the faster I was.
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: It fits and runs

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Wow, I love it.
Looks like it it's carbed ?
A nice mustang 5 speed would fit well also I bet.
So, do you need 2 spares, or did ya change the ford bolt pattern to fit with your chevy rims?
I'd like to know more about your instruments too. Is yours a mechanical or elecrtric speedo cable.
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

Topic author
Pigiron
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:53 pm
Location: Montana

Re: It fits and runs

Post by Pigiron »

I redrilled the brake drums and axles for the GM wheels. I used a Ford Autolite carb 600 cfm. Fits on a early Edelbrock F4B manifold. Ported 351 heads with larger 1.94 1.60 valves. Early Shelby Tri-y headers. 9 to 1 KB pistons floated. Howards Cam (mild). Balanced. 3.00 to 1 rear gear. 2800 rpm at 75 mph. I use 1st and 2nd gear around town.
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#02 Ford rear view from inside.
#02 Ford rear view from inside.
The older I get the faster I was.

Topic author
Pigiron
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:53 pm
Location: Montana

Re: It fits and runs

Post by Pigiron »

opps! I use all mechanical SW gages.
The older I get the faster I was.

ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
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Location: Elgin, IL

Re: It fits and runs

Post by ihatemybike »

Well, that's different......**scratches head** Good job! =D>
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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mdmead
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Re: It fits and runs

Post by mdmead »

Being a Ford guy, and loyal Safari owner, I can't condone such a swap. Ford engines in GMs, (or the opposite), is just plain wrong! :muhaha:

Congrats though!
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: It fits and runs

Post by doyoulikeithere »

now it needs a cobra on the grille and some 'Boss' Logos on the sides, Lol.
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: It fits and runs

Post by ihatemybike »

doyoulikeithere wrote:now it needs a cobra on the grille and some 'Boss' Logos on the sides, Lol.
:muhaha:
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Location: New Haven, NY

Re: It fits and runs

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Nice install! Not sure about the Ford drivetrain though! :poke: :D You gotta post more pics too!!!!!! =D>
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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1Gary
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Re: It fits and runs

Post by 1Gary »

Am I mistaken we just had someone asking about this swap??. :-k Well another first on ASV. =D>
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY

Cobra
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Re: It fits and runs

Post by Cobra »

lol gary who do you think asked about it he decided to go against the grain and try some thing new good show :cheers:
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone

Topic author
Pigiron
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:53 pm
Location: Montana

Re: It fits and runs

Post by Pigiron »

I have wanted to put a Ford engine in a GM product for years after seeing so many drag cars and street rods using chevy engines I lurked here for a couple of years. Someone else asked if you could swap one in. The answer was no! It would be to hard. I love a dare! I did all the work in my own garage at home. I built my own Ford 302 flat tappet engine at home. The only thing I farmed out was the C-4 transmission. I also did the upholstey (not seats).
Attachments
Some pics of the Safari with Ford installed.
Some pics of the Safari with Ford installed.
The older I get the faster I was.

Topic author
Pigiron
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:53 pm
Location: Montana

Re: It fits and runs

Post by Pigiron »

Not very savie on posting more than one pic.
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Pics of 1989 Safari van.
Pics of 1989 Safari van.
The older I get the faster I was.

Topic author
Pigiron
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:53 pm
Location: Montana

Re: It fits and runs

Post by Pigiron »

More pics of my van.
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9" Ford econoline rearend.
9" Ford econoline rearend.
The older I get the faster I was.
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