Welcome to CHR!

As has been previously eluded to, this will not be a simple drop-in transplant. I love engineering and technical challenges so I would be inclined to tell you, “Go for it!” that said, I’m also a planner and before you actually start buying a bunch of parts or cut anything, draw the project out on paper. Take tons of measurements and sketch the engine bay in detail. Decide how far you want to go in terms of sheet metal or frame surgery.

There seems to be a lot of interest in transplanting Coyote engine/drivetrains into vintage Fords and some kits are showing up on the retail market. Favorite is one I just read about for a ’55 T-Bird: BangShift.com Coyote Den: This Harmless Looking T-Bird Is One Of The Coolest Sleepers We Have Ever Seen - BangShift.com

The major considerations are: how much money do you want to spend, how much of the work are you comfortable (and qualified) to perform and how long will you keep this car?

If your budget is unlimited, you can build about anything you can imagine. Billy Gibbons sold Cadzilla for north of $350K!! Granted some of that value was the association with Billy and ZZ Top but if you have money, you can graft any engine into any car.

If you’re a talented body and paint whiz guy – again, you have a lot more options to do (or barter for) high quality work. And if you intend on keeping this car forever, you can spend as much as you want as it’s not so much a quick turnaround investment as it is a project you’ll enjoy for a good long time.

All that said, if you do decide to go for it – know that it will cost a lot more than you’re thinking right now and it will take a long time to get it done. If this is your first hot rod, I’d advise you to rethink this one as it’s difficult to maintain enthusiasm for the build unless you have unlimited time and money to devote to the process. I’ve spent hours that turn to days fabricating a bracket just to rip it out and start again because I wasn’t happy with the way it looks. I’ve tried to use aluminum where stainless steel would have been a better fit and ended talking the aluminum out and having the stainless piece fabricated by someone who does CNC on stainless. I love to hot rod and have never worked under a time or money constraint (by that I mean I can wait until I have the money). I’ve built a good number of engines but I’ve also decline a lot of builds because the individual wanting the build wasn’t realistic about the time and money required.

Again welcome! Bit of a rant but know that others far more knowledgeable than I am will chime in soon!

Glenn