How to build a v8 XF (the proper way in my opinion) - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Ford Grunt · 01-27-2003, 22:50

You probably have heard the story that Ford Australia never built a v8 XF Falcon. The v8 ending in the XE and returning with the EB.

As Ford had decided to not have a v8 in the engine bay, they decided they would modify the heater box, add an extra speed to the fan, change the wiring a little etc.

The biggest problem is this modifying of the heater box which meant a change to the shape of the heater box leaving it to protrude into the engine bay.

This created a problem for us that want a v8 rather than a 6 in the bay. It means the right hand side of the firewall humps out leaving not enough room for you to put in the v8, mounted on standard XD or XE v8 mounts. So, if anyone tells you a v8 drops straight in with no mods there wrong.

I have experienced this problem first hand, and I have been building an XF v8 for a number of years now. I firstly entrusted who was a local engineer to do the job for me (he is now a bankrupt) who cost me money and did a bodgy job. Firstly he "modified" the standard mounts and moved the engine forward (to get around the hump prob) leaving no room (a space the size of your key) between the front pulley bolt and the thermo I fitted. I was p**sed off and got him to fix it.

He fixed it alright, he pulled the motor out and took to the heater box firewall hump with a hammer! meaning the heater hoses were crushed and not operative.

P**sed off again i took the car back (I was thinking of legal action later) and did the job properly with the help of my fiance's father who was once a mechanic, panel beater and painter by trade.

First of all we yanked the motor out (again!, which happened to be a 302 anyway). I then acquired a rusty XD 351 v8 as a donor. I then stripped out the carpet, seats, dash and heater box of the XD & XF.

We then cut out about half of the XF firewall (the right hand side with the hump) under the lip where the firewall welds with the rest of the body but left the indent in the firewall where the fan motor of the heater box goes. We then cut the same part of the firewall out of the XD (the XD firewalls dont have the XF heater box hump) and then welded it into place on the XF.

Next the XD heater box and fitted up to the XF, for memory all but one of the holes for the bolting in of the heater box lined up. The heater box in place I put in the put back all the XF dash in place which had no trouble fitting over the XD heater box.

The box in place now, I had to get it to work. The setup for the vacuum plugs and the plug for the heater box fan was different on the XD to the XF box, not majorily so I used bits and pieces of both boxs to adapt it to the XF switches in the center console controls. The main problem seemed to be the missing fan speed, while I could get all three speeds (not four like original XF) I have to fiddle with the fan speed and the air cond controls to get them all to work. This problem could probably be fixed by an auto electrician, but I was satisfied as I didnt have the air conditioner fitted and I was trying to save some money and my fan is locked on the windscreen anyway.

The finished job once repainted looks great, looks like standard like it should. Inside there is no difference to appearance as the XD box hides neatly away behind the dash.

With the heater box and firewall problem corrected, I fitted up the v8 on standard v8 mounts (no moving the motor forward this time), with the heater hoses connected everything was working.

I not sure of the requirements in other states but the XF was now classified as modified vehicle in NSW and therefore requires an engineers report and an RTA signatory to sign off to say its road worthy (which I believe includes a working heater, to demist the windscreen).

From experience this is not a job for the light hearted, if the above sounds to much to bear consider cheating by acquiring an XD or XE shell and bolting up (some mods required) the XF panels, lights & front, rear bar (& doors, dash, seats if your keen).

I'd be happy to expand on any of the above if required. Id also like to hear from those who have already modified and built a genuine XF fitted with v8.

Cheers.

ViGiLaNtE · 01-28-2003, 02:29

Mate,

Why did your so called mechanics muck round with the engine mounts??!!!

Ive had my 351 Cleveland in my XF for 8 years, all I had done was replumb the heater hoses in through the aircon holes in the firewall further to the left side of the car.

Too easy, now hassles, heater is toasty as when you want it, looks factory, plus I have all control of each vent as you normally should. Im baffled at why you had so much trouble. I converted 3 XFs all this way and didnt have one problem.

Another option is to drop in a Windsor and you dont have to change anything as they are a skinnier blocked motor and the hoses outlets make it past the passenger side head.

Sorry to hear about your experience. If you want to know more about correct fitments just ask as Im confident in helping anyone with this modification.

ViGiLaNtE

Chad_XF · 01-28-2003, 05:35

reading this makes it sound so easy! I have the car fully stripped geez i wish I could afford a E series XR8 motor or somthing! I was told the shock towers had 2 be modded and evevrything

psycho chicken · 01-28-2003, 06:54

I'm actually planning the same thing when I get off my P's in four years, with a 351 Cleveland. I've heard about the whole heathing box problem, but I'm still crazy enough to do it.

Just a few questions:

I plan on getting the interior redone before hand, as I really can't do much performance wise while I'm still on my P's. Is it worth it or will I need to rip it up?

That second method sounds a hell of a lot easier, but I was under the impression a Cleveland wouldn't fit on XF mounts.

If I do figure that second method out, will I still need the enginering report?

And another semi related question, can I pull a grill of an EB and put it right onto an XF with not too much hassle?

Martin · 01-28-2003, 09:24

Quote:

Originally posted by psycho chicken

And another semi related question, can I pull a grill of an EB and put it right onto an XF with not too much hassle?

Its the XG ute grill you want, not the EB one

damage181 · 01-28-2003, 13:46

Quote:

Originally posted by ViGiLaNtE
Mate,

Why did your so called mechanics muck round with the engine mounts??!!!

Ive had my 351 Cleveland in my XF for 8 years, all I had done was replumb the heater hoses in through the aircon holes in the firewall further to the left side of the car.

Too easy, now hassles, heater is toasty as when you want it, looks factory, plus I have all control of each vent as you normally should. Im baffled at why you had so much trouble. I converted 3 XFs all this way and didnt have one problem.

Another option is to drop in a Windsor and you dont have to change anything as they are a skinnier blocked motor and the hoses outlets make it past the passenger side head.

Sorry to hear about your experience. If you want to know more about correct fitments just ask as Im confident in helping anyone with this modification.

ViGiLaNtE

I too, dont understand the problem with fitting a cleveland to a XF, they bolt straight in, the biggest problem is you need to relocate the heater pipes, it's a pain but not that hard, if you have a series two XF and want to use a C4 auto you have to drill holes for the gearbox crossmember or make an adaptor.(they changed the gearbox mounts, why I dont know, a adaptor would be the wiser thing to do.)
There is very little room between the left side head and firewall so you have to choose wisely the tappet covers you use and you cant use the kick down rod.
302 windsors fit like treat using standard falcon mounts, no heater mods, the engine looks so small in the engine bay

SHHMIK · 01-28-2003, 14:29

I have a 302 windsor out of an EB. Slotted straight in the engine bay, the only thing that I couldn't keep was the Aircon as it hits on the passenger tower. It is easy enough to have a bracket made up on the other side to have it installed though.
I needed to get an engineers certificate, but didn't have any problems there.

psycho chicken
You're in Melbourne right? In that case what year is your XF? Series one, you will need to run straight gas on your car to meet emission standards.
Series two, not sure if you can meet emission standards even if you run straight gas. That was the main reason why i put a later model V8 in mine. Vic roads wanted me to do $2000 worth of emission testing (at my own cost). If i was to fail the emission tests, oh well too bad they said, can't drive your car on the road and just lost $2000. NO THANKS.
You will need an engineers report no matter what size V8 you put in.

ViGiLaNtE · 01-28-2003, 16:34

Just to add to my message b4, you do have to use XD/E engine mounts, the XF ones domnt work and arent designed for the extra weight of a V8. PLus I was running a 3 Core radiator with thermo fan also.

Ive had autos, and manuals in this car, and everything was fine. The extractors that I got off an XB was about the only minor problem I had. Had to bend a pipe to get enuff clearance from steering arm. No probs!

ViGiLaNtE

damage181 · 01-28-2003, 17:07

Quote:

Originally posted by ViGiLaNtE
Just to add to my message b4, you do have to use XD/E engine mounts, the XF ones domnt work and arent designed for the extra weight of a V8. PLus I was running a 3 Core radiator with thermo fan also.

Ive had autos, and manuals in this car, and everything was fine. The extractors that I got off an XB was about the only minor problem I had. Had to bend a pipe to get enuff clearance from steering arm. No probs!

ViGiLaNtE

You cant use the 6cylinder mounts anyway, they are heaps different, mounts and brackets right back to XA will fit, gearbox cross member has to be from a xe or xf and post 86 vehicles dont have the front mounting holes like pre 86 for the gearbox crossmember.

My old car was a 10/87 XF Fairmont Ghia Wagon, fitted with 351C, 302 heads, ported, 4V valves, chambers CC to about 72cc, original cam TQ20 (changed a few times), straight gas, shit Garison gas system,C4 and way to high 2.77LSD diff(it died

) and now car is in car heaven.

psycho chicken · 01-28-2003, 17:47

Quote:

Originally posted by SHHMIK
psycho chicken
You're in Melbourne right? In that case what year is your XF? Series one, you will need to run straight gas on your car to meet emission standards.
Series two, not sure if you can meet emission standards even if you run straight gas. That was the main reason why i put a later model V8 in mine. Vic roads wanted me to do $2000 worth of emission testing (at my own cost). If i was to fail the emission tests, oh well too bad they said, can't drive your car on the road and just lost $2000. NO THANKS.
You will need an engineers report no matter what size V8 you put in.

I don't have the car yet, still gotta get a bit more money. I'm hoping to get the XF update with 4.1 EFi and 5 speed manual.

I'd prefer the extra grunt of a 351c, but I guess I can work around that. What about a 351w, how would that go in? I know very little about Windsors, is the 302 a 351 with a smaller stroke like the Clevelands or are they different engines entirely?

And what price range would I be looking at to get a decent one out of a later model Falcon?

Engineers report is no hassle anyway, I've got connections lol.

[edit] I said extra grunt of a Cleveland, could someone set me straight here? My old man reckons a 302 Windsor he had in an XE would out do any of the 351c's they bunged in the other cop cars. [/edit]