Drive Train Choices Choices Choices
#16
02-25-2015, 11:03 PM
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I like an engine that might not be the most popular engine. It's nice and simple, nearly bullet proof. It can make decent power and great torque. But it won't make 350-400HP with out spending a lot of money or doing a lot of fab/machine work. My engine choice is a 300 inline 6. It's simple, reliable, can make decent power and it's different. With the 300 when you pop the hood it's not going to be the same belly button engine that every one else is running. Here's one that has been modified some. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLJboVy4lcc You will be spending a lot of money on the Y-block to make 350+ HP too. For the best bang for the $$ or HP per $ the choice would have to be either the 302 or 351W. They are the most common Ford engines so the parts are going to be the cheapest. For the transmission I guess it really depends on what you want and what kind of budget. I personally like to shift my own gears so I always choose the manual transmission over the auto's. For manuals it could be anything from a T10 4spd on up through a Tremec 6spd if you want a car type transmission. Or if you want a truck transmission you've got the NP435, BW T18 or T19 on up throught the ZF 5spd. If you want an automatic then you need to decide if you want an OD or not. If you don't need an OD gear the two best choices would be a C4 or C6. If you need an OD gear then your only real choice without needing a computer to run it would be an AOD.
#17
02-26-2015, 04:07 PM
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Ok, Ben, Fred, Walt... and others.. Thank you!
You have me second guessing my 350-400 HP criteria. You've given me some good options to consider.... For those still engaged let me ask this...
Does the fact that I would eventually like to add power steering (toyota conversion) and after market A/C change anything?
BTW, for those of you recommending the 300 six. I honestly would consider it... but I have always just loved the way the v8 symbol sits there in the "V" of the 55 grill. I can't see myself ever replacing that with the star replacement.
You have me second guessing my 350-400 HP criteria. You've given me some good options to consider.... For those still engaged let me ask this...
Does the fact that I would eventually like to add power steering (toyota conversion) and after market A/C change anything?
BTW, for those of you recommending the 300 six. I honestly would consider it... but I have always just loved the way the v8 symbol sits there in the "V" of the 55 grill. I can't see myself ever replacing that with the star replacement.
#18
02-26-2015, 04:20 PM
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Six in a row makes 'er go! Btw a v8 may sound nice, but ever since the beginning the v8 has been nothing but a compromise of design. Not saying it's necessarily a bad compromise lol. All I'm saying is that no other engine design to my knowledge besides a v12 has a perfect balance due to its design. I don't know enough to really get into specifics though. Btw, if you build a six you'll never outlive it if you put it in a cruiser.
#19
02-26-2015, 05:49 PM
Ok, Ben, Fred, Walt... and others.. Thank you!
You have me second guessing my 350-400 HP criteria. You've given me some good options to consider.... For those still engaged let me ask this...
Does the fact that I would eventually like to add power steering (toyota conversion) and after market A/C change anything?
BTW, for those of you recommending the 300 six. I honestly would consider it... but I have always just loved the way the v8 symbol sits there in the "V" of the 55 grill. I can't see myself ever replacing that with the star replacement.
You have me second guessing my 350-400 HP criteria. You've given me some good options to consider.... For those still engaged let me ask this...
Does the fact that I would eventually like to add power steering (toyota conversion) and after market A/C change anything?
BTW, for those of you recommending the 300 six. I honestly would consider it... but I have always just loved the way the v8 symbol sits there in the "V" of the 55 grill. I can't see myself ever replacing that with the star replacement.
To me the HP # is just a number that you can brag to your buddy's about. Anything in the 200-300 hp range would be more then enough to throw you back in the seat and be a blast to drive. Plus you don't have to deal with all the negative stuff you can run into with the higher hp engines.
It's your truck so you have to go with which ever engine is going to make you happy. I just like to mention the 300 to people when they ask about engines because it's a great engine. Most people think it's a dog of an engine. But with a few simple bolt on parts they can become a beast.
The PS and A/C really isn't an issue if you are going with a SBF V8. There are plenty of stock accessory brackets out there. Along with all the aftermarket stuff. So no issues there.
If you are sticking with the Y-block it's still doable but you might have to fabricate or modify some mounting brackets. The Y-blocks are cool but they don't have any where near the aftermarket support the SBF V8's do.
I understand wanting to keep the V8 emblem. My 54 grille is a V8 grille. I'm trying to decide if I want to swap to the star or just shave the emblem and fill the holes and keep people guessing!!
#20
02-26-2015, 07:19 PM
Hey Jeff,
Sorry about that - I didn't mean to be negative. I like the choice of any of the Windsor family of engines 289/302/351W - just stay stockish - no real need to go for high HP. You'll be happy with the engines as they are - plus there is tremendous support & parts for them due to the Mustang crowd.
We have both power steering and A/C with our 351W. That after market A/C is expensive - $2K - we went with a company out of San Antonio - Vintage Air. (Maybe they have some refurbished units locally that are more reasonable). We kept the cowl & vent windows so we rarely use the A/C - hard to believe in Texas.
We went with the AOD transmission - gives you overdrive - you can do 65mph - 75mph all day long. I'd let a professional help you set that one up - the cable is hard to get right.
Good luck up there.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Sorry about that - I didn't mean to be negative. I like the choice of any of the Windsor family of engines 289/302/351W - just stay stockish - no real need to go for high HP. You'll be happy with the engines as they are - plus there is tremendous support & parts for them due to the Mustang crowd.
We have both power steering and A/C with our 351W. That after market A/C is expensive - $2K - we went with a company out of San Antonio - Vintage Air. (Maybe they have some refurbished units locally that are more reasonable). We kept the cowl & vent windows so we rarely use the A/C - hard to believe in Texas.
We went with the AOD transmission - gives you overdrive - you can do 65mph - 75mph all day long. I'd let a professional help you set that one up - the cable is hard to get right.
Good luck up there.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
#21
02-26-2015, 08:03 PM
More Turbo
#22
02-27-2015, 07:18 AM
You can get power steering and A/C brackets for a Y block, but they are aftermarket. If you decide to use a 289 / 302 / 351W, try to get a complete engine with brackets and pumps. Basically a good drive-able truck can be built with either the Y or the later V8. The Y is much less common and more interesting, the later V8 is easier to bolt to a good transmission and is less expensive to build. Your engine choice may be determined by your budget for time and money.
#24
02-27-2015, 09:57 AM
Laughing Gas
My .02 cents.......
I have and am building a 300 inline 6. Everything Fordman said is correct. Having now "learned" this engine up one side and down the other, I will build another.
Having said that, knowing what I do now, I wouldn't have went with the 300 or any other ******* engine if you are after numbers........ It is expensive and time consuming. I literally have hundreds of hours into this engine, and the block hasn't been to the machine shop. Proabably have over 2500.00 invested in it so far, again no machine shop (this includes the head). So I am looking at a 5k investment just to be different.......
If you want easy performance, off the shelf bolt ons, and plenty of technical support go with a 5.0, 302 stroked to a 331/347 and enjoy it. Spend the money on the good parts (headers, intake, carb). I would be tempted to run something like the atomic efi on one of these just for the simplicity.
I plan to have 4 vehicles in my life for fun..........The 56 F100 with the 300, a 32 coupe with a 300 or 2.3 Lima, 65 fastback and a bronco both of which will have plug and play parts.
I have and am building a 300 inline 6. Everything Fordman said is correct. Having now "learned" this engine up one side and down the other, I will build another.
Having said that, knowing what I do now, I wouldn't have went with the 300 or any other ******* engine if you are after numbers........ It is expensive and time consuming. I literally have hundreds of hours into this engine, and the block hasn't been to the machine shop. Proabably have over 2500.00 invested in it so far, again no machine shop (this includes the head). So I am looking at a 5k investment just to be different.......
If you want easy performance, off the shelf bolt ons, and plenty of technical support go with a 5.0, 302 stroked to a 331/347 and enjoy it. Spend the money on the good parts (headers, intake, carb). I would be tempted to run something like the atomic efi on one of these just for the simplicity.
I plan to have 4 vehicles in my life for fun..........The 56 F100 with the 300, a 32 coupe with a 300 or 2.3 Lima, 65 fastback and a bronco both of which will have plug and play parts.
#25
02-27-2015, 06:20 PM
I have to agree with many of the others. If you insist on newer style engine and tranny, the 289/303 arena is the best choice. It doesn't take much to build up a 289. Ford did it with the 289 HiPo. 271 hp and it was very, very street friendly. Every part used is still readily available to bolt onto any 221/260/289/302. You won't get Mustang performance as the truck is twice the weight, but just being able to say, "It's a 289 HiPo", has some value! 
From the save your money arena, I happen to like the 272/292/312 Y blocks. They started in 54 and it is the stock engine for your 55. As shown in the photo, the Y block can be made to look exceptionally good. I love the "inverted" headers. And, with this engine, the bragging strength is, of course, "it's all stock"!
I have to agree the AOD auto is the best way to go with either engine family. You could use an older Ford 2 speed auto with either block, but the highway performance will suffer. If it's a manual, look to the early Mustangs and similar vehicles again. Lots of them around, fairly easy to repair and simple adaptor mating to most any engine/shaft/rear axle combo.
From the save your money arena, I happen to like the 272/292/312 Y blocks. They started in 54 and it is the stock engine for your 55. As shown in the photo, the Y block can be made to look exceptionally good. I love the "inverted" headers. And, with this engine, the bragging strength is, of course, "it's all stock"!
I have to agree the AOD auto is the best way to go with either engine family. You could use an older Ford 2 speed auto with either block, but the highway performance will suffer. If it's a manual, look to the early Mustangs and similar vehicles again. Lots of them around, fairly easy to repair and simple adaptor mating to most any engine/shaft/rear axle combo.
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