V10 into '88 E350 chassis

Jeeps&Fords · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 12:48 PM

OK, just stumbled onto a nice 1988 class C motorhome with a toasted 460. Thought about rebuilding the 460 but then stumbled onto a 2007 E450 chassis that is being parted out and I can grab the engine/trans/wiring/ecu/etc... for less than $2K.

What say ye? Think that wide V10 is gonna fit under the engine cover of that 1988 chassis?

Kemicalburns · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 02:49 PM

anything can be made to fit with money,skills and patience. but in my opinion you cant beat a 460 its a great motor. this is a good time to help it breath a bit better and perhaps convert it to efi which would be easier and cheaper.

how do you know if that v10 or any part of that deal is actually good. just stuff to think about. good luck and keep us posted

Jeeps&Fords · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 10:03 PM

I don't know the V10 is good other than the seller is saying so. Odometer only shows 45K miles and the engine starts and runs and sounds fine. A lot of people seem to like the V10 for motorhomes. The thought of a modern overhead cam engine with an overdrive trans is appealing.

The 460 in the 88 is already EFI. I'm thinking a mostly stock rebuild with a mild cam and clean up the heads if I keep the 460.

Krewat · #4 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 04:46 PM

For the ease of doing the job, rebuild the 460 and bump the compression and cam a bit.

I'm not entirely sure the V10 would fit in the '88. Is the '88 still the same type of body as a '97-up E-series? ('97 was the first year Ford put the V10 in ANYTHING and it was an E-series).