I have a '66 f100 with an inline 240 that is locked up. Looking at swapping in a 302 and a tranny. I want a 4 speed to go with it. I've been doing a ton of research but there is so much info that my head is spinning! I need recommendations: which year should I be hunting for and which tranny would be a good match with stock 3.73 gears? Don't need or want all the modern electronics! Thanks in advance!

 

Look for a '87-96 5.0/5-spd to swap in, after you strip the motor bare you can mount a carb and intake no problem, stab a DS2 or mechanical distributor and bolt it in.. with the right engine mounts n stuff of course. Of those the '94-96 motors will be the most potent but if you're really lucky you will find an Explorer 5.0.

 

Great info! Exactly what I was looking for!! Appreciate the help!

 

I wouldn't worry about getting an OD transmission too much. After all how much are you really going to drive it ? With those 3.73's and your typical pickup truck tire diameters, you really don't need an OD top gear to keep the revs down. What transmission was behind the 240 ? I don't recall if the 240 bell bolts up to a small block or not. I ran a carbed Explorer 5.0 in an 89 Ranger with a Toploader 4 speed and a 3.73 rear with 28" tires. It was a blast to drive around town and got decent fuel mileage out on the highway cruising at 70-75 (16 mpg)

 

The 240 and 300 sixes use the small block six bolt bellhousing.

Be careful of the different engine balance though, since flywheels from the sixes and V8s will physically interchange but are balanced differently.

You might also consider installing a 300 six instead.

 

Yea, the sixes were internally balanced. So the flywheel will be neutral with no counterweight for a V8, Main thing will be to figure if the engine mount brackets are different between the 240 and a V8.