I was wondering what is involved with swapping out my I6 to a 351 V8. Also I would like to know what the best auto swap would be for it. Most important is the manual to auto conversion, then I would like to do the engine swap.
What auto tranny would be best for a 4wd?
What other mods will need to be done, like pedals & cables and such?
What 351 would be best?
What vehicles can I get them from?
Any mods to expect?

Thanks in advance for all your guys help.
Jett

 

The engine swap is pretty easy. Getting a 351w from a donor truck is the easiest way to go. You will need the complete motor with wiring harness and computer. Also you will need the radiator (and hoses), exhaust from the manifolds to the cat, and all the accessories (A/C, power steering pump, alternator AND all the brackets to mount this stuff) off of a V8. You will have to weld an adapter from the y-pipe of the V8 to the catback system from the 6. You will also need the power steering lines and A/C lines from a V8. You will need to buy frame mounts that bolt to the frame, I got mine from Ford, but you can find them in a salvage yard.

Air box is the same, and the tranny will bolt right up to the motor (351).

I would suggest swapping motors of similar years. In mine I swapped a 1995 351w for the stock 1995 straight 6. Make sure that you get the computer that matches your tranny/motor combo, a computer from a 351 w/5-speed will not work with a truck that has a 351 w/automatic. The tranny swap is not going to be easy. There are people who have done it here, but I can't help you with that. I would stick with the manual, better gas mileage.

You can get the 351w from any F150-F350. I spent about $2000 to swap my motor to a 351w, I recovered some of it by selling the 6 cylinder.
There are plenty of people on these pages who have done this swap, Hotwhlz85 and slikness are two who helped me with my swap.

Good luck and do a lot of research.