71 project swb mark viii motor and rear irs

[Thriller]

I have been reading and saving for a while now and have a few questions in regards to doing a Lincoln motor and rear suspension swap. Could use all the help and advice I can get. Like to start out saying I will be using crown vic front end. With the 93-98 Mark VIII motor, can I also use the Mark VIII tranny? Will this fit without frame modifications? What driveshaft to use? With the IRS from the Mark VIII, I know I can't use the rear end but most people use the Ford 8.8 from explorer or f150 but which one and what gear ratios for decent mpg? I will be driving almost daily and want to be able to afford the gas. Any way to get close to 20 mpg? Brother in law said I should rebuild the factory 390 but if I was to do this I would still use the crown vic front end and Mark VIII irs. But same question comes to play, what rear end and gearing to get good mpg? I can get a complete Mark VIII for close to $1300 and want to know what and everything I can use out of the donor car if I can go that way. I know it's all the small things that add up so that's why I was thinking of getting donor car and then selling it for scrap after I use everything. Thanks for input!

[390fastback]

Sounds like your going where I want to go with my 62 unibody sb. BUT, I've already got the CV front end in, with a CV 4.6/auto, exploere rear,, and a shortened CVPI aluminum drive shaft. I did it over a winter. I now also have a 93 Mark Viii that will donate the engine, tranny, rear (yes it can work) and electrical to run. the Mark engine will bolt to the CV front end, you'll need to make a tranny x-member, but it can be done. And honestly, gas milage will be better than the lincoln as the truck will likely weigh in less than the loaded lincoln when you're done. lots of guys have done this, search it, research it, you'll find lots!

[dailyf100]

The 32v 4.6's are great engines. The aluminum blocks that came in the mark 8's is a VERY stout block. The block and head castings are capable of supporting up to 1500 hp in stock form. Turbos and pressure in short. Downfall is the cast crank and rods; they can only support 500 hp safely. Anyway, get the donor car and take everything out; engine, tranny, driveshaft, IRS and especially............ALL the wiring and computers. Then source the wire diagrams. You can get rid of a lot of wiring you don't need but be prepared; the marks have more wiring then a 737.

[rumblin46]

I have been averaging 17 mpg's with my EFI 5.0/AOD/3.73 combo. I am not necessarily easy on the throttle either. I have noted that the 4.6's can do better on fuel vs the old 5.0 at least stock vs stock. I have a long bed with the CV front and it weighs in at 3800 lbs. I set the engine back so I was able to reuse the stock trans crossmember.

[derbydad276]

I am also hanging a mark IRS under my 67 already have the vic clip in I used a 1971 400 and a c6 I used a 4x4 oil pan and set the engine low and 3/4 of it behind the axle centerline I need to start a project thread on mine here

[HIO Silver]

I have been reading and saving for a while now and have a few questions in regards to doing a Lincoln motor and rear suspension swap. Could use all the help and advice I can get. Like to start out saying I will be using crown vic front end. With the 93-98 Mark VIII motor, can I also use the Mark VIII tranny? Will this fit without frame modifications? What driveshaft to use? With the IRS from the Mark VIII, I know I can't use the rear end but most people use the Ford 8.8 from explorer or f150 but which one and what gear ratios for decent mpg? I will be driving almost daily and want to be able to afford the gas. Any way to get close to 20 mpg? Brother in law said I should rebuild the factory 390 but if I was to do this I would still use the crown vic front end and Mark VIII irs. But same question comes to play, what rear end and gearing to get good mpg? I can get a complete Mark VIII for close to $1300 and want to know what and everything I can use out of the donor car if I can go that way. I know it's all the small things that add up so that's why I was thinking of getting donor car and then selling it for scrap after I use everything. Thanks for input!

You really need to read thru these links:

Team 321's 89-97 Cougar/T-bird'Lincoln MN-12 Independent Rear Suspension Kit
Team 321's 89-97 Cougar/T-bird/Lincoln IRS Installation Article
Classic Trucks Magazine Thread: MN-12 IRS Retrofit

[SATURN5]

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=70690

Pretty much what my build is.