Thread: 302 in a chevy nova

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I have everything on the car completely done, but the engine and tranny. Dont get mad im just asking for advice. I have a 97 explorer with a 302 and I was wondering how hard would it be to switch it over to the nova. but I really want to drive the nova. The truck only has 100,000 miles on it. I was wanting to trade the truck for a engine and trany, but no luck yet.

Thanks,
Chad

I'm not mad. I'm just going to give you the advice NOT to do it. Nova's are worth good money and it will be very hard to sell it with a ford motor when the time comes.

alot of people use chevys in fords, but hardly anyone puts a ford in a chevy. thats only because there are a gazillion chevys available. as long as you have a grinder and a welder anything can be done. i am sure you cant buy an installation kit for it so you will have to fab it in. then you will need a ford drive shaft and a chevy driveshaft to get a shaft made for it. not to mention all that computer stuff you will have to fight with. it sounds like a pain in the axx to do, but if it is your only alternative to get on the road then go for it. i would personally look for a good running pre 1980 chevy truck to trade the explorer for, and use it as a donar for your nova. that way you will be looking at probably only needing an oil pan to switch it over. is this a chevy2 or the larger 1968 and up model?

Going to be a bit of work and expense to switch it over, but you should have the majority of the parts on hand with the two vehicles. I'd say go for it if you don't mind a bit of work and fabricating....

and i thought i was nuts wanting to stuff a pontiac 389-400 into a 62-64 pontiac acadian

they called me nuts too for putting a 455 olds in a 78 camaro but it came out great.

Well, anything besides an sbc in everything is fine with me!!!!!

looks like ill be working on stuffing a 400 pontiac into a nova soon then !

All this time I thought scooter was a high winder kind of guy.....

Originally Posted by nitrowarrior

All this time I thought scooter was a high winder kind of guy.....

He won't know what to do with all that torque!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Well, anything besides an sbc in everything is fine with me!!!!!

well your right that why i use the bbc fly weight ones

Go for it as I am thinking about putting a 460/C-6 in a chevy II if I can find a decent one.

hey now, im not ALL about high revs, i still wanna build a beefed 343 or 390 amc to ya know

What do you want for the 302? If I wasn't moving I'd buy it, I do know that the Mustang guys are always looking for the '96 - later Explorer gt40 & gtp40heads & intake.
I'm a chevy guy, and I drive Fords and Chevy's & Chrysler's, but I would never put a Ford in a Nova, and I would'nt put a Chevy in my Mustang either, I feel theres some cars you leave the same brand motor in.
I've had 5 Nova's, a '62 with a built 283, 4sp, a '63 convert with a built 327, auto, a '64 SS with a straight axle, 2X4 tunnel on a built 283, 4sp, a '64 2dr hardtop with a 350 auto, a '67 2dr, with stock 327 4sp

Pat

The biggest challenge will be oil pan clearance..........and mounts of course......I think the Ford PU truck pans had a rear sump, not sure about Explorer.

I'd trade the Explorer for a Chevy engine..........but, I am a Chevy guy.