Need help 68 ford 302 swap

[jmorgan_68]

Im working with a 68 ford ranger swb with a 3 speed transmission. This truck originally came with a 360 however i decided to swap out for a 302 that we completely rebuilt. Everything has went pretty smoothly until we stabbed the engine today. After getting the engine onto the mounts the transmission was about 4 inches to far forward for the crossmember, is it ok to move the crossmember and drill new holes? But will this make my driveshaft too short and is there a driveshaft that will swap out? Also the ball that mounts on the engine for the clutch linkage is not lining up, im using the one off of the 360, should i find one for a 302 engine or is there a difference? Im 19 years old and this is my first real project any advice here would be appreciated.

[Dragon]

You did not use the 302 engine perches. The engine is lower and not in the right place front and back.

http://fordification.com/tech/engine-perches.htm

[jmorgan_68]

I couldn't get the 302 perches to line up with the mounting holes on the frame. Should i be using the front or rear holes?

[hot_roder09]

put in some engine perches from a later truck 73-76 asre easiest to find and the motor will sit right and yes you can move the transmission mount forward and the drive shaft should fit just fine, when i did my swap which has only been done for about a month, anyway the whole swap only moved everything forward about an inch or so after it was all said and done, and my truck was the same as yours except the year, mine is a little older but that doesn't matter everything is still the same and i can send pics if needed.

[jmorgan_68]

Any pictures you could send would help

[Dragon]

There are no holes in the older trucks for the small block lower perch holes. Read the link I sent it explains it.

[basketcase0302]

Here's another picture of what your SBF frame mounts should look like:

[Dragon]

When done right the clutch linkage lines right up there is no SMF BBF linkage in our years. Ah life was simple then.

[jmorgan_68]

Thanks to everyone for all of your advice. I switched out the mounts earlier and everything lined up perfectly. Just for everyones information i used flowtech headers and they fit with no clearance issues

[hot_roder09]

same here i know flowtech are sometimes said to not be that good but for the money and the ease of installation they worked out great and jmorgan we need to see some pics

[jmorgan_68]

as soon as i can figure out how to put pics on here i will put a few up of the finished engine