This is the motor that came with the truck and if I remember right I was told its a 250cid. I believe its the original motor (56) but how do I ID it?

 

Looks like a early 223 I have sitting in my shop - which would be correct for '56.

 

How are they for reliability/gas/speed? I would like a rig I can comfortably drive on the freeway. I am not looking for a Fast 0 - 60 or anything. Just something to load the Fam in and go for a drive.

Is anyone currently running this motor? And if so what are your opinions/regrets?

Thanks for the input

 

Some things to consider.
The Ford six is a decent motor, it can be made to provide good power and torque.
With some mods your Panel will be much more enjoyable to drive.
1. A 9 inch ford rear with 3.50/3.25 gears. (see tech articles)
2. If you like to shift gears a T-5, Five speed overdrive tranny, or a C-6 or AOD Automatic Tranny.
These mods will give you good milage (for a Truck), good around town driveability, and good Highway speeds.

 

The 250 I-6 was the last of the 144/170/200/250 I-6 family & was Intro'd in the '70s. So unless someone really Buggered your truck up......

This looks to be a Later version of the 223 I-6 from the '61-'65 (215/223/262 I-6 family) not a '56, as it has the Spin-on oil filter as opposed the Bolt-on cartridge for the T.P. filter & the 8 Valve Cover Bolts instead of the 2 Nuts & Gromets in the top to hold it in place. Look for casting letters & numbers on the block, starting EP, then a 3rd letter w/ a - after & then numbers.

The 223 I-6 is an Extremely reliable engine, Father's clocked over 450,000 miles on the one in his '60 F-100 & Mother clocked over 350,000 miles on hers in her '60 Ranchwagon, before they gave up the ghost. That from just regular monthly maintanence & oil changes.

The weren't called the "Mileage Maker 6" (20-25mpg on the hwy) fore nothing, torque is excellent & we Cruised on the Hwy's averaging in between 65-75MPH.

The 223 I-6 is the engine I cut my teeth on while growing up & I would not trade it for a v-8 for anything.

 

I believe 48 means a C-4 & Not a C-6, as the 223 I-6 was fazed out & mated w/ the 1st of the C-4s in '64 in Mid-size cars of that year.
The C-6 is way to H.D. of a Trans & would take away to much umph from the venerable 223 I-6 if you attempted to mate one to it, where as the C-4 would be perfect.

 

Are you sure of its displacement being 223, there might be a chance its the 223's bigger sister the 300. It looks like the one I pulled out of a 79 F-100. You guys are right about it being a stout motor. I've loved the 2 trucks I've had with them.. close to 300,000 miles on them and they still ran strong.

 

No, I think the Colonel has it pinned down - the oil filter is on the wrong side for it to be a 300.

 

The Valve Guide Cover is on the correct side in the Upper-quadrent above the Petrol Pump on the passenger side for the 223 I-6 & it has that funky replacement Petrol Pump that was used on the '61-'65 year models. Where as the 300 I-6 Valve Guide Cover is in the Mid-quadrent below the spark plugs on the Drivers side.

Actually the 223 I-6's bigger sister is the 262 I-6, the 240/300 I-6 family would be considered 1st cousins to the 215/223/262 I-6 family.

Have a peak @ my "Gallery" for what my built 300 I-6 looks like mostly completed.