I do not know anything about the truck but saw one for sale. It is a lighting series and I was wondering if the price is worth the motor and other parts. I am building a 55 F-100 and was looking to put the motor in it I also have a 302 out of a 85mustang gt. Needs gone through .All help is appreciated .

 

Do you have a link to the ad for the Lightning? The very first generation had a 351 in it with GT40 heads and intake which makes it quite a bit more powerful than 5.0 HO, after that the Lightning went to Triton motors with a supercharger which is a lot more powerful again but there are no non electronic transmissions that will work with it and the EFI system is much more complicated and integrated into the truck, so swapping one into an old truck would be a big job.

 

CHEAP FORD LIGHTNING lightning truck .

 

Really you'd be worlds ahead to buy a good low mile roller 351W out of a 95-97 pickup or van, then swap on a set of GT40 heads and augment the cam's lift with a set of full roller 1.7 rockers. That GT40 motor in that truck in the ad has likely been beaten on and flogged to death.

 

The only other additional plus in that Lightning would be the 8.8 rear under it. and only If it's got a traction loc unit inside that still functions.

 

If I owned a lightning I know how I'd drive it. By the time the body got that bad the motor would be about cooked and need a rebuild. Could probably pick up a roller 351 engine and a carbed intake for that price. Thrash until you get bored then swap to gt40 heads.

 

I bought a good roller 351 two years ago at a Pick-A-Part yard with the ZF 5 speed bolted to the rear for $325. You can buy this and a cherry set of aftermarket heads for less than the price of that truck

 

Isn't the special Lightning intake manifold highly desirable?
Ford Motorsport used to sell them as a Hop-up part, and they are expensive on eBay.

 

Unless he's swapping the whole efi system in his 55 then it probably wouldn't be worth it. I actually just picked up a 97 351 roller with 76000 miles for 350$ with a 60 day warranty.

 

Yes we need more information to make recommendations.

So a question for Artscott,

Is this engine going to be carbureted or fuel injected?

 

Thanks for the input guys but I think that I will let it go. I have a302 that I might use but then some of you talk like maybe I would be okay with a 351. I am not in a hurry right now as I have a running engine in it and not ready and yes I will put fuel injection on it.