'57 MOTOR SWAP

[mikes57]

i HAVE PURCHASED A 428 FE DRIVE TRAIN. THINKING ABOUT A SWAP INTO THE PREMIER? ANY IDEAS ON MOUNTS, WIRING, COOLING, ECT.

[TonyC]

Should prove interesting...

I have nothing to contribute, as I've never done that swap before. I can tell you that, if it turns out you venture down an untravelled road, it should be exciting and frustrating. But that is what adventure is all about.

I'm no advocate of swaps where the unibody cars are concerned, but since '57 was not a unibody year you have better flexibility in swapping in a different engine...which isn't really all that different. It isn't a twin to the OE 368, no; but it's not entirely alien like a 21st-Century Hemi or LS.

---Tony

[1Bad55Chevy]

Is this similar to a 58 Thunderbird? If so my buddy just installed a 427FE into one of those. It didn't take any modifications and actually dropped into where the old Y block was. If it's similar I could get pictures (if the car is still there) for you if you would like.

[frasern]

My concern would be the transmission, engine bay should be big enough.
Stock transmission may bolt up, I don't know, but the pilot on the torque converter will be different. A C6 is a much larger unit, and may not clear the floor without tunnel mods, that shouldn't be a deal breaker though. It sounds like an interesting project.
I know of a local complete 57 conv parts car, but it's a long way from... wherever!

[Lee]

I can’t help much, but I do know the FE and Y-block bellhousing patterns are different if you were considering using the 57’s tranny.

[TonyC]

Well, technically, the FE is a Y-block. The term applies to the shape of the block; it's not a reserved title for a specific group of engines. It can also apply to non-Ford engines that also went that route.

However, concerns of mating up to the transmission are valid. If the bolt patterns are different, then that's a no-go obstacle. Not even C-6s will bolt up to Y-blocks except for the 462 MEL Y-block...and even then, that model had a different bellhousing (among other differences) from other C-6 models. The first-gen automatics are particularly fussy, being compatible only with the engines that existed at the time.

On the other hand, being that the FE was eliminated well after the C-6 and other transmissions of the same generation came into being, maybe there's a newer transmission that can mate up, so I could be wrong. Maybe swapping the transmission on a non-unitized car is possible, but I can't say for certain. I would say, be prepared for a more-involved surgery; that's not to say ditch the idea, just be prepared for more work. Lincolns aren't like Chevys, especially the older Lincolns. But the job isn't impossible, just difficult and expensive. As long as the frame doesn't have to be compromised, the job should be practical.

---Tony

[Mike]

I think the C6 was the only automatic that came behind the 428. The biggest issue wouldn't be the frame it's if there's enough clearance at the firewall/trans tunnel/floor for it. I see they make adaoter plates for other transmissions but then space would become more of an issue.

[Dan Szwarc]

i HAVE PURCHASED A 428 FE DRIVE TRAIN. THINKING ABOUT A SWAP INTO THE PREMIER? ANY IDEAS ON MOUNTS, WIRING, COOLING, ECT.

Should be easy.