I have a Chevy 350/700R4 engine trans combo, and a Ford (302 based) 347/AOD combo. The Ford is lighter, but as I understand, it will need to be mounted more forward in the engine compartment than the Chevy (due it's front mounted oil pump which requires an oil pan with a front sump as well a rear), which would seem to somewhat negate the benefit of it's lighter weight.

The Ford is a considerably more compact package and the front mount distributor seemed like an advantage when I saw my how my friend's 350 distributor is touching the firewall, but if you have to move the engine forward for the oil pan to clear the rack and pinion, then that too would seem to negate the advantage of the Ford's front mount distributor.

Does anyone have any close up pictures of the firewall area, or the oil pan to rack and pinion area with a small block Ford in a 2nd gen RX-7?

Thoughts? Ideas? opinions?

 

yeah, the fords sit forward AND higher then the chevy's but it's not enough to negate the weight advantage of the ford. I've never driven a SBC powered rex but I've seen one next to a ford powered rex, and the chevy looked a little nose heavy compared to the ford.
The biggest problem you'll have with the ford is hood clearence (or lack there of). you'll have to be tricky about finding ways to get an sbf under a stock hood. I've seen guys use the TII hood with good results. Otherwise, you'll have to cut a hole in your hood.

 

The Ford is 75 pounds lighter, all things being equal. You can read some of my comments here:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...3&page=4&pp=15 ( Reply number 55 )

Grannies website has some pictures and lots of helpful info on a 5.0/302 into either first or 2nd gen RX-7s

If hood clearance is a problem you can always do what I did, shown here:

www.cardomain.com/memberpage/646433