84 B2000 Mazda 302V8 Swap Project

I haven't ever seen someone complete a V8 swap in an 84 style Mazda. Slammed83 was working on a 350 swap but ended up with a v6, here is his thread.

Well, after much more analyzing and deliberation it is clear a 302 will not fit in an 84 model B2000. you can get the trans to clear and the oil pan and starter but you would never get exhaust manifolds of any kind to fit. the frame rails are too close and the steering box is right next to the head.
SO I'm stuck with a nice 84 body and a 302 and c4 and have to decide which one to get rid of. I don't want another 4banger in it and if I do V6 I have to get everything to do FI or conversion stuff for a carb set up. wish I had tried to do the motor before I did all the work on the rear frame and body.
no wonder I never found anyone talking about a v8 swap into a 302.

You can still do it but I understand, that's a lot of parts you would have to make from scratch.

You could be the first and probably the only one to ever do this swap.

You are right BaHa. I have never given up on anything....ever. If I could figure a way to cut the frame right where it passes under the firewall and box a section outward toward the rocker panels I could clear exhaust tubing through there. But as far as the steering box In would have to take it off the rail and mount it farther down extending the steering shaft. then that would of course put it into the upper A-arm. maybe I could do the two rope thing like we did in our old GoKarts.

I'm not really much help, all I can do is throw out ideas, have you looked at doing a rack and pinion swap? It may give you some more room.

that's fine Baha, that's why I am here. to get ideas.
I found PowerbyAce as a recommendation for swap parts. they do sell a set of special headers for this setup. Like I said there is no way you would get anything turned downward between then block and frame. so they have a set that all the tubes turn upward and then over the frame and steering box and through the fenderwell. about 400 per setup.
a little trimming and shaping of the firewall at the bellhousing and trimming the actual bellhousing itself and it might just work. I will apparently be the first guy to complete one of these on here.

real discouraging to not find one single photo of a 84 or earlier b2000 with a 302 in it. have you aver seen one?

One photo would be all the inspiration I need of a pre 84 b2000 or courier that had a 302 sitting in it and I would be saying "Yes I can" instead of "holy crap what did I get into".

How about a video? This one inspired me and I don't even have an 84, it's pretty much the same thing as a Ford Courier if you didn't already know.

Found this on another site, looks like he addresses a lot of your questions