Hoss, my 86 F-250HD, (4x4, 460, t-19, 4.10's) is killing me. I'm only getting 8mpg's at best with a warmed up 460 and $65/week for gas is murder. I've been toying with a crazy idea for the last couple of weeks though, and tonight I made up my mind. I'm going to swap out my warmed over 460 and put in a 300-6. And no, I'm not going to sell the truck so I can buy someone else's headache just to get the engine I want. I just got all the little bugs worked out of Hoss and I'm not about to start over!

Anywhoo, I know that everyone else does this the other way around, but I've had a 300-6 before and compared to what I have now, the 300 is a much better engine IMO. I rebuilt this 460 2 years ago and it's only got 15,000 miles on it. It's got an Edelbrock intake and 750 carb, Crane 260H cam and MSD ignition, and it's a dog! I have tuned this thing God only knows how many times with ZERO change in results. The only thing it does really well is drink gas like Lindsay Lohan on a weekend bender. But all in all, even if gas was $.99/gallon, I'd still want to swap this motor out.

Around here, 80-86 Fords are a dime a dozen so I know that there's an F-150 or F-250 with all the parts I need for this project. I don't need a heavy hauler, I just need a truck with a good, simple, hard working engine that doesn't have a drinking problem!

How's that for different?


Dan.

 

Youre one fart-smeller...errr, smart feller!

 

300 6 is a verry good engine. I owned 3 in the past. It doesnt get much tougher than the I6. I had one so hot one time that the exaust man. were glowing red, cought on fire under the hood, blowed radiator hose, that actually put out the fire. The cause was that the gear on the distributer turned and that got the timing off. Fixed that changed the oil and I was good to go. 6 cyl 4 speed is a tough combo.

 

The big thing you'll need is the bellhousing for the transmission. Depending on what transmission you have it may be interchangeable.

 

How much you want for the 460, im in desperate need of one that runs good!

 

My hope is to find a complete truck so I can use the tranny as well since my T-19 needs to be rebuilt because of bad synchronizers. I'd love to find an NP435, (I'd settle for a T-18) to swap in there with the 300 and maybe an NP205 transfer case too!

This is going to be one tough-er, simple-r truck when I'm done with it!

 

If your really shootin for good gasmileage, and your planning on gettin a new tranny, you might want to think about getting a ZF tranny, because the overdrive will be a big help.

 

I was thinking of a ZF tranny, but I love the old cast iron 4 speeds because of how tough they are. I was thinking of swapping out the 4.10 gears and putting in 3.55's or 3.73's one day to compensate for the loss of the overdrive so I can get a couple more mpg's but that's gonna be a little further down the road.

 

I have a ZF in an 88 F150 4x4. 351w. I havent had any transmission problems. It has been abused badly. I have raced it dumping the clutch @ 3800rpm in low range (in mud). It has ran 36" to 40" TSL's. It is a tough tranny. Dont be scared of it.

 

Umm, why not just get something with a 4 cyl for a DD, even with a 300 in there, you probably aren't going to break 12 mpg, especially with 4.10's. A 4 cyl Ranger would get you 20+ on a bad day easily....

 

That's the dumbest thing I have hurd since the phrase "I think I'll go buy a Chevy" Seriously though I agree with 82F100's idea, go find a nice ranger or other car that gets awsome milage. Hey 82 F100 nice AC. Do you go on the Arcticchat fourms?

 

Going to a 300-6 is a good idea, the 460 is a horse... and a thirsty one at that. If you drive conservatively you can get decent mileage with the 4.10s. I figured out I averaged around 15-16 mpg with my 84 F150 4wd 300/ NP435 with 4.10s and 33s... which was better than my 95 GMC Jimmy 4wd 4.3 Vortec (sold) could ever get. I recently picked up a new "DD" a 96 F150 2wd RC/LB 300/M5OD with 2.73 gears... it sips fuel on the highway... it doesn't do as well in town as I had hoped but it's more tolerable than my GMC was. Your T19 has a detachable bellhousing, all you need is a stick bellhousing from a 300, 302, 351w... however the flywheel has to be from a 300 because they are balanced differently than a V8. You will need the motor mount towers and mounts for a 300, they sit further forward in the frame. The swap is pretty much straight forward, as for the tranny you could just rebuild your T19. They are pretty simple to work on and the rebuild kits are not very expensive. The NP435 is a good choice, I have brutally thrashed mine and it comes back beggin for more.

 

[QUOTE=Pkupman82] You will need the motor mount towers and mounts for a 300, they sit further forward in the frame. QUOTE]


Do you happen to know if my existing front crossmember will interfere with the 300-6's mount towers or do I need the one off the donor truck? I could rebuild the T-19 I have, but I found an NP435 this afternoon that the guy is selling to me for $50. He pulled it out of his Dad's Ford last year and it shifted just fine. My big task is finding a late model bellhousing so I can still use my hydraulic slave cylinder, and an NP205 t-case for cheap.

And I could really care less if people think I'm an idiot for doing this swap. Ford put the I6 in UPS trucks and trucks all the way up to F-600's, so I know it'll be just fine for the type of driving I do. After I put a 2bbl carb and an EFI exhaust manifold on it, it should give me more than enough oomph. And your'e absolutely right Pkupman82, the 460 is a horse, but all I need is a mule!

 

My 460 was getting 7mpg, going with the ZF got me 11mpg. I also put in a vacumn gauge to help remind me to stay in whatever gear happens to be more efficient. I was suprised to find that OD doesn't always get the best mileage. Good luck with your swap, and I dont think you need to change the crossmember, just the towers. I think the only difference in the crossmembers is the 460 CM has the hole cut out to clear the oil filter.

 

how about dropping a 2.3 lima in there?

jk

I did not know they made F600 with the inline six, that says a lot about the engine...