I dropped a 289 into my 1976 Vega. We had to move some mounts and sheet metal, weld in mounts for a 3 speed gearbox from an old Mustang. Worked great until rust ate it alive by 1984. Right now I have a body perfect 1992 Ford Explorer. The engine and transmission are shot. I’m thinking of doing the same thing with a 351 Cleveland and a 4 speed. Perfect car / SUV / Truck for the next 20 years and I can pull my 1964 Airstream with it. It will run me around $8,500 plus new interior and paint. (Another $3000) so for around $13K I will have one solid on-frame all purpose vehicle.
A high school buddy dropped a V8 into a Vega wagon. That was a fun car.
Lose the yestertech 351. Just do an LS swap. Lighter and way more powerful by a mile
A 351C 4V have heads that massively outflow a SB Chevy. A cam swap will gain 100hp easy on that Cleveland an spank any LS Chevy that is no expensively modified.
That’s a sweet engine. Back in ‘89 I snagged a ‘70 Cougar XR7 with a 351 Cleveland engine from an old lady who bought when it when her husband died because she wanted something smaller...lol.
It was a great car for the year I had it, but then went off to Japan and sold it to a friend for more than I paid it, which was only $1k. Stiff, it was a lot of money for an E-2 back then.
Take off the doors and put in a 3 horse Briggs and Stratton engine from an old lawn mower. Now you are talking!