What the largest engine I can get into a 61 Econoline pickup?

[EconoDan]

easy question - easy answer? Looks like perhaps a 300 I6? (or at least a 223?) Seems like I saw someone put in a 302 once.....can't remember. Would be great if I could get a 390 in there. I don't mind changin' a few things around to make it work. (already have a 390 + C6 sittin around...) Dan

[Jimbare]

royal pain to put anything bigger in a 61 than a 200. i sent you an email, reply and i can get you some more info, and a few econo owners in arkansas to get together with.

[EconoDan]

How about a 66?


Thanks for the email - reply sent.

[85e150six4mtod]

In the day they put 289's in them. A 302 will go also. I had a book that showed the whole swap...lost it to an Econoline owner in 1977.

For the bigger stuff, you are looking at cutting the floor out and makeing a custom dog house and and and....


Anyway, since you can stroke & poke a 302 out to 347, I'd say if you want the biggest thing that will fit, go stroker small block.

[99F150]

Are the dog houses larger on the 65-67's with the 240 six? I have a 63 with the 144 and wouldn't mind a 300.

[EconoDan]

exactly what I was thinking.....


I saw one on ebay with a 302 in it....got me thinking. since it's got a 6 in it already, wouldn't a bigger 6 make sense?

thanks for the email, Jim!

[Jimbare]

it is as much work to put a big six in a 61-64 as it is a v8. and yes the big six dog house is bigger, and there is a hump in the floor at the rear of the dog house for the bellhousing to clear.

[EconoDan]

My experience with the 300 I6 is what makes me really want to put one in there. I'll look for a 65-66 body if you think I could do it. I don't mind taking my time with this one - gone start from the ground up anyway....

Dan

[85e150six4mtod]

I've got a 300, and I used to have a 289. My advice: Got get some time behind a 289 or 302......

[EconoDan]

you've got a 300 in an Econo-truck?

Pics?

[85e150six4mtod]

No, My 300 is in an '85 E150, not the early model. My 289 was in a Mustang.


What I'm saying is the 289 or 302 with the right cam and carb will run real nice at low rpm. It won't have the off idle torque of the 300, but it will come to life at 2200 rpm or so.

In a vehicle the weight of the early Econoline, I would think you'd be very happy with a 289 or 302.

And you won't have to do some unsightly sheet metal mods to wedge it in there.

[99F150]

Couldn't one get a dog house from a 65-67 with big six and the cross members. Cut the floor to size and replace the crossmembers and drop the big six in?

You have to change crossmembers to put in a v8 and mod the dog house for width too.

Seems it should be a horse a piece if you have a Van. Does the dog house go to the rear of the cab in the PU?

I vote for the 300 or a Turbo 2.3 four from a TBird
Dan

[Jimbare]

65 ,66,and 67 can have a 300 put in with all stock parts. you have to do a lot of changeing to get it there, but it can be done.

if a 300 is what you want, then that is what you should puy in it.

[pendentive]

Jim - you're dangerous.....




"Sure...go ahead and pull the trigger if you really want to..."







I guess I am kinda bent on putting in a 300....my father-in-law loves 'em and has me convinced they're the best thing since buttered toast.....I figure if I give in and put one in.....then he should be available to help out when I need him......right?

[Jimbare]

he has no idea what he is getting both of you into! as i said, it can be done with all factory parts, it just aint easy!