Addo is absolutely correct. This is still not a real running engine yet, though I am very close.
Why do this at all? It's very easy to get Aussie blocks and just rebuild those and avoild all this to begin with. But I have two good reasons (and one shaky one) for attempting this.
First are the packaging issues.
- The Aussie Crossflow is a tall deck block like our 250. That makes it harder to get under the hood of a Mustang. Even thought the EFI was very compact, there were some minor clearance issues getting that thing into the coupe. The Crossflow head is light and on top of a short deck 200 block, is very compact. This whole powerplant weighs in at just over 300 lbs. Imagine taking another 50-60 lbs off the front end of an early Mustang. The F/R weight distribution would be very good.
- Part of the packaging problem is accessories. US brackets are close, but not quite the same, so pulleys and brackets have to be modified to use existing AC, Alternator, pumps, etc.
- Then the biggie, the drivetrain interface. The Oz engines have entirely different bellhousing patterns which means you have to do a simultaneous transmission swap or rework. The blocks also lack a clutch pivot boss in the proper location so none of the manual linkage works. You'll have to do a cable, or hydraulic, or do some signficant rework of the existing linkage to include some custom fabrication.
By using the US block, after you get the mods done it's a drop in for an existing engine with no changes to the drivetrain or clutch required.
Second is logistics.
- They are easy to get, cheap (often free), and are not hard to ship, but Oz is 10000 miles from here. It doesn't pay to ship one engine at a time. I think that Ausheads attempt at stuffing a container is the best route, but there are shipping, stuffing, stripping, customs, documentation and other fees which could add several hundreds of dollars to a "free" engine.
- The Oz blocks have very few components in common with the US engines. Lifters and rod bearings is about all, although the US water and oil pumps can be modified to fit. All other parts and gaskets have to be shipped over. It is very frustrating to wait on a small part to arrive from Oz.
Finally, I just want to do it. Everyone told me two years ago it couldn't be done. The guys in Australia have no reason to do this swap so i doubt it's been attempted. This is new ground and it may not work.
And as Addo mentions, there are many variations on the alloy head, some better than others, I'm sure. The three that I have are all different, but we'll have to see how they work out.
Stand by, we're getting there!