im swapping a 95 e250 5.8L motor into my 95 f150 which had a 5.0L with a manual transmission the van obviously had an automatic. im concerened about the manual transmission not matching to the vans 5.8L. looking for info b 4 i start this project and get stuck in the middle. any help is much appreciated. was also wondering if it would b worth it to take the rear end out of the van and put it in my truck van is 8 lug, truck is 5 lug. or is it to much trouble.

 

There would three major concerns. You would have to get a flywheel that goes with a 351, as the 302 and the 351 have different balance issues. The heads are about two inches farther apart on the 351, that brings the other two concerns. One is the the exhaust pipes, if you have a single exhaust(Y pipe) it would need to be modified or replaced, sometimes you can cut the single exhaust in the correct place and add a piece of pipe. The other concern with the heads being two inches farther apart is the mounting of the belt driven accessories on the front of the engine. This would probably involve finding some different mounting brackets.

The motor mounts and the back of the engine where the transmission bolts on is a direct swap, no problems there.

I'm assuming the engine and crankshaft of the van engine is the same as one that would be in a truck, you may want to check with your Ford dealer and cross reference some part numbers. One other concern may be with the computer. Actually shouldn't be too tough a swap if you just get on it.

 

Thanks for the info Massey! thats a great start.Im purchasing this van for $600.friends buying the seats and load rated tires for $100. Im planning on new trans mount and having the trans serviced, new motor mounts, changing out the whole exhaust including the cats and adding shorty headers, as the age of the truck and NJ salt air/water is brutal, after numerouse self welding repairs its time . everything looks similair parts wise on the fronts of the motors. starters are in the same spots, the 8th digit on my truck is N, the 8th digit on the van is H not sure the exact difference that will make. is a flywheel the only part i would need to purchase.

 

You will have to take it easy on that manual tranny - the M5OD is light duty and wasn't built for the torque of a 351. That's why the only manual available with the 351 was the ZF.