289 swap in 79 fox

[fmansfield444]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and have just started messing with my 79 Mustang. It's a project me and dad are getting into.

Right now the car has a straight 6 that smokes, misses, etc. (its junk)

He has an old Hipo 289 that he once had in his old Fairlane

I have looked and cant find anything about swapping a 289 into a foxbody.

Has anyone had any experience with this swap? Would it be similar to a 302 swap?

We'd really like to get the Hipo into the car because he really likes his 289.

Also, we have transmissions for the 289 in case the automatic in the mustang wont bolt up


Thanks for any help!

[Ourobos]

Exact same swap as a 302 swap.

[fmansfield444]

Alright thats what we were thinking.

Just checkin

Thanks

[TWR2003]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and have just started messing with my 79 Mustang. It's a project me and dad are getting into.

Right now the car has a straight 6 that smokes, misses, etc. (its junk)

He has an old Hipo 289 that he once had in his old Fairlane

Welcome to FEP!

Your 79s front crossmember (aka 'K-member') is made specifically for the I6. Ideally for a 289/302/5.0L you should swap in a V8 K-member which positions the engine mount supports in the correct places for a V8.. The V8 K-member is also used on the I-4 cars. Any 79-93 I4/V8 K-member will work but the best are the 87-93 units. Keep in mind that the 90-93 units have a slightly wider track than the 79-89 units. Once the old engine is out the K-member unbolts from the unibody but you need top remove the front springs as well. Use V8 engine mounts that match the year of the K-member.

1978 I6 K-member (with steering rack and control arms) on right, 1990 I4/V8 K-member (white) on left


Good luck
T

[fmansfield444]

alright i guess ill be on the lookout for a i4/v8 crossmember

I know of an 85 with an i4 at a local junkyard right now.

Thanks for all the help

[TWR2003]

alright i guess ill be on the lookout for a i4/v8 crossmember

I know of an 85 with an i4 at a local junkyard right now.

Thanks for all the help

I guess I should have said that the V6 engine also used the I4/V8 crossmember. So any fox with a I4/V6/V8. Its just the I6 crossmemer that is unique. Some guys modify the I6 crossmember to use with a V8. I think its a PITA but I suppose removing/replacing the K can be a PITA too. Here is that info. Use at own risk:

http://fast-fairmonts.weebly.com/engine-swap-info.html

[86STANGCOUPE]

Where are you located, I have a 94 gt k member that should fit. Im located by Cleveland Ohio.

[TWR2003]

Where are you located, I have a 94 gt k member that should fit. Im located by Cleveland Ohio.

Deleted (wrong info)

[brianj]

You will also want to make sure you match the crank balance for the motor you are using. I THINK all 289's are 28oz balance, and the 5.0 are 50oz balance- you need to get the correct dampener and flywheel for your motor. Easy to do, just make sure you do it.

[Domino]

What year is the 289? If it is an early one with a 5 bolt bell housing it will seriously limit transmission options.

[Mustang-junky]

If you are going to do a K-member swap you might think about using an aftermarket one. The Qa-1 that I put in my '90 was only about $250, and it came with the upper spring perch's. I used factory control arms. The extra room around the the motor is wonderful when adding headers. It is also nice that when you drop something it falls to the ground, and does not get stuck on the ledge formed by the K-member. Just some food for thought.

Jess

[86STANGCOUPE]

If you are going to do a K-member swap you might think about using an aftermarket one. The Qa-1 that I put in my '90 was only about $250, and it came with the upper spring perch's. I used factory control arms. The extra room around the the motor is wonderful when adding headers. It is also nice that when you drop something it falls to the ground, and does not get stuck on the ledge formed by the K-member. Just some food for thought.

Jess

I dropped an allen wrench and found it a year later on the ledge, I was surprised it didn't fall off on the road.