I am considering a 390 FE engine and an automatic for my 1957 F100, has anyone done this swap? any ideas on engine and transmisson mounts? Currently I have a 302 and a automatic in it.

 

Welcome to the board!!!

About 20 years ago I installed a 360 into a 1960 F-100. I bought one of the off the shelf engine swap kits. If I remember right it was basically a prebent tube with a coupel of flat spots on it for the engine mounts. It had to be trimmed to fit the frame and then welded in. I think you can buy bolt in models nowdays. I fabricated my own transmission crossmember. I made the swap with a 4spd manual tranny and 4x4 transfer case.

Since your truck already has a 302 in it then youru current engine mounts might be close enough to work. You might get lucky and find engine mounts that will allow you to bolt it right in.

What kind of trans are your runnig now? You will probably have to change out trannys as well as the 390 probably wont bolt to whatever you have now.

Whats wrong with the 302? they are great engines and make tons of power for their size. Don't get me wrong, I love big blocks but if you have a great running truck, why change it?

Bobby

 

trans dapt ...... i think they make a kit to put a jet engine in one if ya want , lol . welcome and bobby's right . if it runs good , leave her alone and drive it , enjoy , all the while you can build that 390 up to replace the small block later on . oh and welcome

 

Welcome, great to have you on board.
Either way you`ll have a neat truck, with the 302 or the 390 should you decide to go that way later.

 

I put an FE in my 60 and used a 57 Ford car overdrive trans. I used the front crossmember from a 56 Ford passenger car which required some modification. The aftermarket unit would be easier. The trans crossmember is from a 66 Ford Galaxie with no modification required. I just bolted it to the bottom of the truck frame and have had no problems with it. I had to move the radiator forward on its mounting for adequate fan clearance. Everything else pretty much hooks up. The main problem I have had is with leaking exhaust manifold to head gaskets. The heads need to be surfaced in this area. My preference would be a 351W but the FE was free so I couldn't turn it down.
jt

 

I have a 1957 big window and a 1972 f100, both shortbeds. I want the 302 in the '72 as a daily driver. I want the 390 in the '57 as a once in a while driver, the 390 gets a little oil in the water (?). The '57 is my little hot rod, and the 390 will smoke the tires off the rims, so switching the motors will give me two very useable trucks.

 

Sounds like a plan
Everyone needs a good tire smoker...LOL (thats why I have a 500ci Caddy in my 49)

Do a Google search on 302 to 390 engine swaps. You should end up with alot of reading. Since the 71's came with both big blocks and small blocks there are probably motor mounts available that will work....You might have to change out the motor mount towers but they are probably available as well.

You might try asking this same question in the 67-72 forum.

Bobby