56 f100. Hate me if you must! For a number of reasons I have decided to install a 350 crate motor and 700r4 trans. If there was a ford 302 or 351w next to a chevy 350 I would choose those first. If I should go somewhere else for advise please let me know. Anyone install that combo here? Going to stay with original front axle steering and brakes for now. No current plans for a/c right now but would like to have that option in the future. Really need to know if I am going to have enough room for the distributor without having to cut the firewall and at the same time have room for the pulleys up front. Can I use the stock oil pan or modify? What modification will be required to the floorboard or firewall for the 700r4. Anything else I should be mindful of? I have never done this and will be relying on a friend who has the experience and talent to help. He's a ford guy and will be p!@@ed that he has to do this but he hasn't found a donor motor either.Thanks

 

If there was a ford 302 or 351w next to a chevy 350 I would choose those first. If I should go somewhere else for advise please let me know. He's a ford guy and will be p!@@ed that he has to do this but he hasn't found a donor motor either.

When you hint that a 302 -351 ford does not rate against the 350 sbc that is when you will get flamed. When ya say ya can't find a ford 351, I would say you are not looking that hard, they are as common as the chevy 350, last time I checked, I found them at Pep Boys, O'reilly's (not the best quality but they are there). Pick and Pull 50% off this week-end, I am sure you can find a 351 and a AOD trans there.
I think you will find there are quite a few people here who have that combo, after all that motor is one of chevies all time best, and the trans is a proven one.
So back to your question. You can do this swap with no modifications to your firewall. Lower the motor down a bit. This normally will require the use of an electric fan. Stock front suspension won't effect the oil pan.
My 56 pick-up and my 55 panel both have the sbc and 700r-4. I chose this motor because sbc is what I grew up with, and the 53-56 ford truck is my favorite truck.
You will find alot of good and knowledgeable people here who are more that willing to help

 

I'm kinda the same way. I grew up working on sbc engines, but I love the looks of Monkey Faced Fords. there are lots of folks on here that are running sbc engines and they haven't been crusified yet.

 

my '54 has an old tired out '77 sbc 350 with a 700r4 and a '99 ford explorer 8.8 3.73 posi rear end and 235/65R17s. Some don't like the 700R4 because the range from 1st to 2nd is too wide but my truck pulls pretty good even in OD (ratio = 0.7)

 

It's your truck so it's your engine decision. I've had two Bonus Built trucks and used a 350/350 Chevy in one and a 302/FMX in the other. I can't say either engine was difficult to install. I made no firewall or floor changes in either installation. I used a mechanical clutch fan with the Chevy and an electric fan with the Ford since it was a little longer engine. There is little difference size wise in the 700-R4 and TH350 so you should be golden.

 

Yeah, I'll weigh in on this since I am running a SBC 700R4 in Blue, my '49 F4. Pulling 4:10 gears and 32 inch tires, it does extremely well. There was no Ford sheetmetal or steel cut, except the transmission cover, to install this combination. Pretty straight forward. With my '56 parked beside the '49, I see no problems of the same engine and transmission going into it.

 

I am in the middle of doing exactly what you are doing. '98 Vortec 350, 700R4, 8.8 3.73 Rear. One thing to remember is with these old Ford trucks you have enough room to put two engines under the hood. (LOL) I have installed and taken out the engine a couple times and found I have a couple of inches of room to move forward and reverse. Take your time and measure twice and weld once.
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BTW, I have been in love with these old Fords since I was a kid. When I got mine it had a Ford engine in it and I tried to make it run good but at the end of the day, I am a Chevy engine guy. Sorry guys :}

 

If you are going with a GM drive train then OWN it! I am so tired of reading posts from people who say that "if I had a choice I would go Ford"...it's all BS. It's a crock saying that you can't find a Ford engine/trans, CL is full of them. big shott has the right idea, if you are a GM guy then admit and move on. The Vortec engine has some of the best flowing heads available in a production configuration...if you are going to run a SBC then the Vortec is a great choice.
I just bought a 1940 Ford coupe that came with a new TCI chassis setup for a GM driveline...guess what, I cut out all the mounts and installed a proper Ford 351W/AOD in it. When I pop the hood at a show or run I don't want to have to make excuses to people about why I put a chevy in a Ford. Is the SBC smaller and easier to install; yes. Is the SBC cheaper to find parts for; yes. Is a SBC any more powerful or durable than a SBF; hell no.

 

The deciding factor for me would be the trans. I don't trust the AOD further than I can throw it off the tailgate at the junkyard. With mods, and a super-careful adjustment, they can last, but the 700R4 is just about bulletproof out of the box.

 

700R4 will also self destruct with out the proper TV cable adjustment. A very straight forward adjustment, I'll say. The higher first gear ratio of the 700R4 was a big factor in my choice for the F4.

 

Good point Ray...I use 4R70W internals in my AOD builds, it lowers the 1st gear ratio from 2.4 to 2.84. The 700R4 is still a bit lower than that however at 3.0. I guess that I always looked to the OD transmissions for what I gained in the top end, the bottom end I can fix with rearend gears.

 

The 700R4 is a good transmission but the detent cable needs to be properly adjusted.

Wally

 

Thanks to all who answered with their experience and insight. I know some of this stuff is repetitive and boring to a lot of you but so valuable to those of us who just have one foot in this world. Twenty years ago I saw a 56 f100 at a car show. Being a chevy guy I didn't know what it was or why I loved it. Many years later I found out what it was and many years after that, when my family obligations had been satisfied , I finally got one. I retired and quickly realized when you have the money you don't have the time and when you have the time you don't have the money. Only because of this forum I feel like I will be driving this truck.......some day. Thanks again!