I have a 48 F1, with the original six cyl.
Of low cost Ford V8 engines and trans combos (junk yard) what is the largest that will fit without major mods?
Goal is to have a drivable and dependable ride
Will a 289 fit or can I go larger?

 

I paid $600 for a running 1990 ford crown vic. 5.0L, AOD four-speed automatic and took a whole bunch of misc. stuff out of it. I rebuilt everything, but could've had it in the truck and running for about a grand if I'd wanted too. It'll be the little stuff like linkages, exhaust mods, u-joints, shifter, etc. that push up the cost.
Mike

 

Hey Ivan,
We've got a 1950 F1 - Started out with a 289 - lot's of room.
We upgraded to a 351W to get a bit more HP - it fits fine but it's a squeeze on the driver's side - exhaust, steering, pedals, brakes - a lot going on there. We put the battery in behind the seat as there wasn't much room left under the hood with the 351W - we also went with a very slim electric fan up front as we were running out of room between the water pump & the radiator. We also had to adjust the cabin floor a bit to put an AOD under there.

It's all doable - just get's a little tougher as you increase in size.

Welcome aboard!

Ben in Austin

 

The easy installation is a small block Chevy with a 350TH, but a 289/302 Ford with a C4 is right behind. I've done both. The Ford is a little longer so clearance at the radiator is closer. I don't know what you consider a major mod but engine and transmission mounts will have to be fabricated and a new driveshaft plus you will probably need a new radiator although some have used the original.

 

VERN ........ YOU SAID THE C WORD !!!!!!!!!!!!! you have become one of the knights who say NI !!!!!!!!!!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=QTQfGd3G6da

 

The 302/5.0 is the same width as the 289...the 351W is where the size grows a bit. The 351W is wider due to a taller deck.

 

Almost any V8 will fit, on the wider blocks, offset the engine to the pass side an inch or two for extra clearance. Header clearance on the driver side will depend on headers used.
The 2C mod motors are the most available/inexpensive/dependable, but be sure to buy an entire donor or get the entire wiring harness fuel tank and or pump and matching ecu at least. The mods respond to hop ups well, performance parts are available. If you plan on increasing HP shop for a PI model with the better heads, adds 50-60 HP over the small heads without making any changes.

 

Huh?