You can shorten up the 302 by about 3 1/2" by using the 1966-69 289 "short" water pump and harmonic balancer. Here is what is involved in detail. ( Read Post #5)
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ulleys.303600/ In 1952-56 Fords the 6 cylinder cars had the radiator further forward because of a difference in the lower sheet metal panels, since Mercury did not use the Six you have to get creative to move it forward which involves cutting the splash panel.