428 FE drop into 302 Torino??

Im planning on dropping in a 428 into my Torino next summer. Now it has a 302 with a C4. Im also planning on putting an AOD behind it. I know I need an adaptor plate so the AOD will bolt up to the big block. Anybody have any suggestions or advice on the process. Also if anybody knows where to get a good price on an AOD that will handle 500+hp. I looked at TCI and ebay . I know I need to get the older version of the AOD that works on a linkage rather than on vacuum.


Anybody think it would easier to stroke out a 351 to 427 and drop that in?
428 seems to make more power on a budget. 351 would need some wicked heads.

Thanks

What year Torino? 68 or 69 The FE (428) would bolt right in with no mods just the right motor mounts and headers. Bigger radiator and I think the same crossmember just moved back. Lentech Automatics-AOD Home Sells an AOD with new housing and matching converter that will hold up to 500+ hp.

If the Torino is a 70 or newer then the 385 series (429/460) motor would be an easy bolt in since those years came with that motor.

Now I love the old FE motors. I have two. I like the nostagia of them. That being said either the 385 series or stroked Windsors are cheaper to build. If you already have a 428 the blocks are worth some $$ (depending on condition and date code maybe a lot of money). The heads, if they are CJ, are worth a bunch. If they are standard 428 FE they are cheap to find. The cranks are still worth some money to some purists but Scat sells some nice stroker cranks for the FE motors. If you don't have a 428 then the best bang for the buck FE build would be a 390 block with a 4.25 stoke for a 444 + depending on bore. Edelbrock heads are just a little more than building the stock FE heads to really flow. A 444 with properly prepped edelbrock heads can get you 500 hp or pretty close maybe even more.

Back on the stroker windsor front there are a host of high flowing windsor aluminum heads that will support big hp for a pretty reasonable price. There are also a bunch of strocker kits or even shortblock and longblocks that can be bought at reasonable prices. The cheapest way to get hp is the Windsor combo. The cheapest way to get huge hp is probably the stoked 385 combo.

The FE can get you great hp and huge torque in a vintage format but it will cost you more if you are starting from scratch. Especially since the AOD is a special piece that adds a lot to the cost. You could also go C6 with a gearvendor but again that is a bunch of $$.

Its a bolt in for a 68.

You can use stock FE mounts, but I recommend you call Crites and buy their aftermarket mounts, MUCH cheaper and they work great, I did one on a 68 Droptop Montego, same body as the Torino.

You'll need unibody CJ exhaust manifolds or FPA or Hooker Headers. I used the FPA, and they worked well, but remember that depending on the head design (standard 428 or CJ) they have different exhaust port locations and bolt pattern so you HAVE to tell FPA which heads you have

Hookers will only work with early 428, CJ heads or aftermarket with the high port exhaust

Only other thing is that its very tight to the power brake booster if you have one. Not an issue, just dont buy valve covers unless you know they have the rear notch for the booster

Needless to say you need a different tranny as well

WHo says the brake booster is tight in a 68/69 Torino?

If you are serious, then try a set of pentroofs in that car, they wont fit

Or try a set of Edelbrock signature sries, or Shelby style aftermarket finned, all the same deal

You have the proper valve covers, my point is make sure you do before you waste some dough

Yankee, look close at what he has, you need similar, there are other solutions out there too though

It gets a little more serious when you run some aftermarket valvetrain, although Ersons are pretty forgiving

Actually I posted the picture to make your point. Mine has some CJ aluminum finned repop factory covers. For a 68 Branda sells a really nice set of repop chrome powered by Ford covers for about $150. Several vendors sell the repop CJ covers but they are more $$. For aftermarket valvetrain Comp, Doveor Harland sharp rockers will fit under either the PBF valve covers or the finned aluminum ones. I run some percision Oil pumps end stands and they fit under both sets also. So I guess we know now that you have a 68. Valve covers and booster may be an issue but first things first. If you want an overdrive tranny you are going to spend a bunch of $$ to put a 4speed auto behind an FE. IF your budget isn't that tight cool.

Back to the real question. Do you already have the 428?

Sorry FEfairlane, appreciate it. I misunderstood you and I thought you were saying I was full of it.

I'll try to not be so defensive next time

No worries I was being a smarta$$ but twords Ford and thier shoehorning of the FE into the intermidiates and Mustangs. Of course that tight fit of a big motor in a smaller car is what we love about them. Looks like we've scared Yankee off with a flood of information. Maybe he'll check back in and make use of all the info.

Thanks alot for all the info. My torino is a 68 and I was aiming for the FE series. However I was rethinking this the other day. My torino is a 4 door and was a freebie thru family. I sorta feel like its a waste spending big bucks on a 428 beefed up AOD and the 600 700 adaptor and to throw it all in a grandma car. I was looking thru ebay the other day and saw some sharp lookin 70-71 torinos that wouldnt rip a hole in my pocket. If I could find a 70-71 torino in decent condition for about 4500 or less and then throw a stroked 460 in with a toploader I think it would be more worth my money. You guys have great input... what do you think? I know it costs more but I would much rather have a 2 door with a toploader than a 4 door spending big bucks on an AOD swap.

I think I've seen a lot of 68/69 and 70/71 Torinos out there for cheap. Just keep looking and you will come across a good deal on a two door.