Any personal opinions on how well a 223 straight 6 will do at highway speeds with a standard 3 speed and 3.00 rear? As far as driveability, would I be better rebuilding a small V-8 for a transplant? I am trying to decide whether to rebuild my stock motor or find an old V-8 to rebuild from a donor (and change transmissions?
Any opinions will be appreciated to help with my decision.

 

Depends on what you call hiway speed. We have a 60 with 223c.i. and 3 speed and anything much over 50mph is kinda pushing it hard.It will run at 60 or 65 but my speedo is off due to running 31" tires on the rear. With the 3.00 gears you might do better than me.

 

I had a 59 that had a 223. I put a 3spd toploader in it after breaking 1st in the original 3spd overdrive. the original gear ratio was 3.89 I believe. I installed a third member from a 66 Galaxy with 3.00 gears it worked great. I did have to use the galaxy axles too.

 

Thanks. Does this mean you can drive 65 MPH with a reasonable RPM? I would hate to rebuild this 223 and then find out I couldn't drive it easily on the Interstate.( I live 20 minutes from town along I-95.

 

My 59 was a daily driver. I commuted 25 miles each way on San Diego freeways, mostly in the right lane but stil at 65mph. I had 235/15 LTs on it. Drivability was nice moderate grades did require downshifting however. My only promlem was that this setup made the 223 work very hard and it cost me $5 a day to get to work at $1.25 per gallon in 1992. For better economy I would recomend an EFI 5.0 swap but only if your thinking of dong a lot of work. Consider getting a complete donor car I'd recommend a Crown Vic over a Mustang. You'll get alot more usable parts for your truck this way.

 

 

My 1960 F100 with its 223 and three on the tree does fine at 60. 65 is getting a bit loud tho.

 

What rear are you running in your 60? How is it on hills? Thanks

 

I would look for a 300 c.I. motor for that truck. If you are
going to rebuild anyway I think you will be much happier with
the 300.

 

The 300 sounds good except I can't find an adapter for the original 3 speed tranny to mount to a 300. I guess that means change out transmission and get a custom drive shaft in order to go with the 300?