I have a 1970 Torino that I am thinking about putting a 4.6 dtrivetrain out of a 1995 Couger into it and I am old school and I don't know a lot about the newer electronics. What wiring and components doI need to salvage from the Couger and does anyone make an aftermarket harness for the 4.6 Ford engeine? Has anyone out there already performed this surgery? Any advise would be welcome.

 

I'd just get an old289 (4.7). It's bound to be more hassle in the long run for you when the electronic junk on the new motors gets outdated anyhow. It could be done though (if you insist on being depressed) but you'll need to take the other engines whole wiring harness and adapt it for your car (that's the easy way). That includes every single wire. You must check wire thicknesses and know about the electrical requirements of every bulb, etc. if you don't want to end up in flames. Pay strict attention to wire guage (thickness and strand count) and color changes, etc.between harnesses and use common sense and you should be OK.

 

P.S. you may want to draw up your own wiring diagram reflecting the changes so you can diagnose any problems later.

 

Ford racing and others have a stand alone harness for doing these swaps.

 

Stand alone harnesses are standardized. Need I repeat myself? Obviously like I said if you have ever wired a car you are bound to run into trouble with rewiring. Plus unless you know personally how to take apart and remake the whole computer (in case it gets outdated and fries) you will always be safe in the past (you can make all that old stuff from scratch and not need a degree in electronic diagnosis and repair). Duesenberg had traction controls in the 1920's or 30's - the suspension greased itself at intervals too. You seem to be a little ignorant of all you missed. Don't knock Henry Ford's older stuff. Learn what's better - cheaper and runs longer with no major hangups and you have to agree that money you waste on new stuff is often just that - a waste. But you don't have to take my word for it - you'll learn it if you plan to keep your car. My dad's '35 Ford had 500,000 miles on the original engine before he restored the car. If you can't see you're losing ground - don't say I hadn't said something at least.

 

yes. i agree. keep car as original as possible.

 

goinstrong brings up some very valid points and one needs to think these things out very carefully and not go helter-skelter into something llike this.

I too would suggest that you find the engine of choice from the like era and transplant that into your Torino. Much less hassle and and headache.

I would be interested to know why you would want a late model drivetrain? Unless you got the Cougar for free.

Ron

 

If you really want to do this swap, I would call painless wires and talk to a rep. They may already have something made up,but they'er not cheap.

 

You know - if you want to go update - I would consider a dual fuel motor (or amping up an older one) that runs/handles E85 ethanol.