Customs Shoebox Ford and SBF install question

I want to install a SBF in a 50 Ford sedan. I have seen installs with rear sump pans ans front sump pans with some cross member work.
Question is, what is the preferd way or your experiences with each?
Thanks

 

Go rear sump, it'll be much easier.... the only trick is the dipstick. If you're using a 289/302, the front sump motors don't have the block drilled for the rear sump dipstick and you'll need a early Bronco 4WD pan with it's matching dipstick and oil pickup (these are being reproduced). The later rear sump motor will be good to go with it's OEM pan etc. If it's a 351W, you'll need a 4WD truck or van pan or conversion pan; Summit, Jegs, etc have those.

 

Look at my build thread in my sig below. I have a 302 , double sump pan - fits fine. Interesting stuff to also look at in my thread is my rad setup for a fox body stang (hoses too) - cheap and easy, and available at any Auto Zone. I'm also running fox body headers and down pipes I got super cheap at a swap meet .

 

Edsel58a; Your getting some exceptionally good advice. The pan change is Way Better than cutting the front crossmember for front sump clearance.
The Wizzard

 

x2 ^^^^^^^^

Ray

 

Don't know how close but a good donor,roller cam right oil pan :http://columbus.craigslist.org/pts/5455172396.html

 

It seems the opinion is the late model or Bronco pan is the way to go. I have both late and early pans, timing covers and dipsticks, so either way could work for me.
Biggest reason I asked is I thought there was center link/tie rod interference issues with the rear sump. The work to the crossmember I saw did not look that bad, but was not sure how the engine would sit height-wise.

 

Just remember that there's two different 302 engine blocks; Ford revised the 302 block in '88 to allow the block-mounted dipstick for the rear sump pan. You can't modify the earlier blocks for this, you have to use the Bronco pan with it's dipstick tube for the earlier blocks. The '88-up rear-sump pans have no provision for a dipstick.

 

Luckily I have the early rear sump pan with the dipstick in the pan. Actually, my donor 255 has a rear sump pan already. Yes, you read correct, the lil 255. It is in my driver and runs really good, great MPG, and the Shoebox will be a cruiser, not a speed demon. Donor car weight 3,300 lbs, Shoebox at 3,000 All good.

 

Last year I did an early 289 into a '50 Ford and used the later 'double sump' pan and corresponding oil pump and pickup tube. I put a pipe plug in the front cover dipstick hole and brazed a tube into the rear sump for a dipstick. It was a little more than that, as I used a section of brass pipe up to pan rail height and fitted that with a compression fitting to attach the upper portion of the dipstick tube. Added a tab to the tube to secure the upper tube to a exh manifold bolt.

The motor mounts came from a Shoebox parts specialist, used the Ford tubular manifolds, and the engine bolts in place with no clearance issues.

Ray