Does anyone have experience swapping a 2.5 liter four cylinder into a 52 pickup? I can get a good deal on a LRG-425 EFI crate engine. This is the gasoline industrial version. What AOD transmission would be a good choice to go with this engine? Can I keep the stock steering box? Pictures? It is hard to believe that I am considering a engine with less hp than the stock flathead.

 

Which 2.5 are you referring to? Is it a variation of Pontiac's Iron Duke? If so, I can't see any problems with clearance with anything. You'll have to check with some GM junkies elsewhere for ideas on what transmission will work. I do have to say that I don't think this is a good idea at all. Sure, the engine may be a bargain, but that thing didn't make enough power to get out of it's own way in an S-10. let alone a big, heavy full size truck.

 

Joe, Joe, Joe. Use your imagination. What could be more original that a little four-banger winding up in one of these old trucks? If you can find a six-speed manual tranny with OD and a 4.xx rear end, you can wind that baby up in all six gears. Remember the old Starsky and Hutch scenes when they shifted up eight, or even nine, times? Maybe you could get one of those special eight-speed transmissions from the movie folks.

Vick,

Sorry for the aside to Joe. Sometimes he just needs to remember how well the "little" engine works in his very nice motorcycle.

Having said that, I suspect you might have some issues in matching the power and torque curve of the 2.5L to the needs of a 1950's Ford pickup. It all depends on what you are looking for when you're done. I have to admit, I didn't see very many four-cylinder engines at PF. Maybe none at all. Although it may not be very practical, it sure would be unusual.

 

"Sorry for the aside to Joe. Sometimes he just needs to remember how well the "little" engine works in his very nice motorcycle."

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? We're always griping about everythings already been done to an Effie. Could we swap in a vintage Harley Motor. Excuse my ignorance, is Panhead the right terminology? There are tons of donor 1940s HDs laying around for 20 or 30 grand. What could possibly be more nostalgic.

Back to reality. A free 2.5L would not be a deal. It just isn't a practical swap for this much truck. If you want a hundred HP mill, stay with a stock engine.

 

OK, you two clowns! For your information, the bone stock Twin Cam 88 in my bike weighs in at 1450 cc's. Some compact cars have smaller engines and get worse mileage. Then of course, the price tag is about half, too. Theoretically, yes, it is quite possible to use a 2.5 L in one of these old trucks. That doesn't change the fact that it is in no way practical. Why go from a stock flatty that, while slightly lacking in the get-up-and-go department, worked quite well to an anemic four popper that will get way worse fuel mileage moving this much weight and will be essentially useless for much beyond pulling the truck out of the garage for a wash?!?

 

"OK, you two clowns! For your information, the bone stock Twin Cam 88 in my bike weighs in at 1450 cc's."

So how's it feel 'rage? My 302 is 5000CC, and I get dogged for it here every day.

 

Well my lawn mower is 650 cc.

 

Hey Fenders you must have done your math wrong. Our '87 Mazda B2200 has 2500cc 133 cu. That thing has about 80 hp. So you must only 160 hp. No wonder they call it girly.

 

Nathan

Check your cipherin and then say your sorry. Don't make me call in George on this. Not believin this. Givin metric lessons to a Canadian.

 

Hmmm... Last I checked CC's and HP did not always go hand and hand.
I'm sure you could add another 100hp to fenders motor!

 

Why thank you Shane, that's as close as my engine has ever come to receiving a compliment here.

 

Are ya gonna put one of those 4" exhaust tips on it?

 

Nathan,
I was thinking… (Now, that’s unusual!)
In case you get an answer saying the Mazda technology is newer, and that’s why it makes 80hp, here is another answer for you:
The GM 151 4cyl. 2500cc make around 82hp, and it’s an older engine.

I’ve used 2 sets of pistons from that engine, but for the alcohol version, to get a higher compression ratio on my 302… I spent a lot less by doing that. It was half the price. It costs a fortune to import pistons, you know…

Lobo

 

Sheesh I was only trying to sike Fenders out. A fart can probally could be used as a potato gun. Just FYI that puny 1.8L could do 300 hp if you had money. Isn't CC cubic centimetres? If not I don't know what it is.

 

I know this will show my age, but back in 73 during the Arab oil embargo (you guys remember that, right?), I put a 2000 cc Pinto four banger into a 32 Ford coupe. Hey, gas was hard to get then (for a while anyway). That engine was woefully underpowered. If you wanted to make a pass on a two lane road at 60 mph, you had to drop back and floorboard it hoping that by the time you got to the car you were passing, the oncoming lane would be clear. When I had my doors blown off by a Subaru Brat, I yanked it and replaced it with a 400. Perhaps the newer engines have more horses, but I'd never try to power an old Ford pickup with a four banger.