Agree on a ZF, or make your life easier and go with an automatic. The adapter will be the tough part with any of them.

I thought a 300 was significantly bigger than a 223? Mostly length as I recall, but it looks like you have plenty of room.

 

I think the 300 is a great choice.

Advance Adapters makes an OD gear box that mounts between the transmission and the bell housing. This adds a second shifter and moves the transmission back around 7". So you might have to get a little creative with the shifters but I think it would be cool. They sell for around $1300. It's spendy but a lot cheaper and stronger then a new gear vendors unit.

Another option would be a Spicer/Brownie box 3 spd auxiliary transmission out of a medium duty truck. This would give you an underdrive and overdrive gear. It might take some searching but you should be able to find one of these cheaper then the advance adapters unit.

Run either one of the above with a NP435 or T18 grany low 4spd and you'd have a sweet set up in your COE.

 

The 300 is a great engine, not exactly fuel efficient but a great workhorse overall.

When you went down and bought the cheapo Krylon paint to spray the cab what color did you use? I think that would match most of whats on my truck now.

The truck is looking great, keep at it
Bobby

 

A 300 can get better mileage then most V8's of the same age. It really depends on the modifications you do to it. With a aftermarket intake, 2V or 4V carb and the freer flowing EFI dual exhaust manifolds a 300 could get 18-22 mpg. I don't think Tinman would get that much in his COE but he should be able to get decent mileage with one.

 

I used Krylon Flat Hunter Green.....then I lightly fogged some black and white over it to make it look weathered.

 

Scott,

Thanks for the info. That might be just the info I need to work my truck back to one color.

Earlier this year I bought my son a 1990 F-150 with a 300 EFI and automatic for his high school graduation. So far its a great truck and the kid loves it.

Bobby

 

Although I had never investigated it, it seemed logical that an inline 6 would be a much easier fit in a cabover than a V8 engine strictly from a floor space standpoint. Looking at your pics, Scott, I can see that's definitely on the right track. The 300-6 has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the SBF V8's so finding a trans that would work shouldn't be too difficult. Unless you're set on grabbing gears, the E4OD automatic would be a good option for a working truck.

 

Just to add to what Wayne said, which I agree... would be that the 300's flywheel/flexplate is zero balanced, which is different than the SBF.

Grab the E4OD's computer box and any wiring you can at the same time, too.

 

An automatic is my 2nd choice......I really want a manual trans. A ZF would be great, I'm on the hunt locally. The big old clark 5 speed is an option, but real heavy and hard to find. An aux trans like mentioned above would be slick as well.

It all boils down to available $$$$$ and what I can find....

 

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That's pretty much exactly what I want to do to my coe eventually, way down the line. The extended cab looks amazing,...if I had welding skills I'd do that too. But I don't want it so low that I can't still haul stuff and tow stuff like a normal pickup truck.

 

Do you still have the Y-Block in it.

 

yes still has the 239 y block.

 

Couple of small updates......

Before winter set in I was able to get my steering box issues sorted out and mounted, Ended up going with a chevy van box, had to fab some new mounts otherwise a bolt in. Will still need a couple U joints between the box and column. pics are in the wrong order, LOL

Also picked up a Clifford intake and dual exhaust manifolds for the 300 six.....



Lastly, I found a dash from a 49-50 Ford car and am thinking about grafting it into the cab for a different look. What do you think?

 

Love the dash, that hole in the middle looks like a good spot for a tach. Also like the engine choice, it'll make a nice driver.
Brian

 

Good choice for a dash. Here is what I did to my '50.