I'm new to this message board. I have a 1966 Ranchero with a 289, full synchro 3 spd, and 8" rr. I would like to replace the 289 with a 300 six.
Have any of you done this? Is there anything special I need to know? Will the tranny bolt up? I've just never been comfortable with the sound of a V8.
BZ

 

Welcome to FTE.

The 300 might be a tad long for your engine compartment. It would also be quite tall, tall enough you might have hood issues. You WILL have carb and air cleaner issues, and may have to use the van type aircleaner that crosses over the valve cover and puts the element on the driver side of the engine. This does not add to power....

IMO this would be a poor swap. The 289 makes good power, about the same torque as a 300, just a bit higher in the rpm range. And it will rev to 5000, makeing 50+ more hp than a 300. With some simple mods, it can be good for 230 or more net HP. Not so simple, 300 HP.

If you want to make a BIG improvement, install a T5 5 speed OD manual trans behind that 289.

As for sound, a quiet single exhaust, or quiet duals with a crossover tube can be had.

 

Rancheros usually had the small sixes, like the Falcons. A later-model 200/250 I-6 with the full or partial (later 200s had 4 of the 6 bolts spaced for the SBF V8 pattern) SBF bellhousing bolt pattern is an easier swap, and even a 240 truck motor would be easier than a 300 due to height clearance issues mounting it in the engine compartment, IMO. Not sure if your V-8 radiator will be too thick for the engine to fit. All I can say is take measurements on what space you have between the radiator and the transmission bellhousing and compare - as well as compare mount points on any of these engines (300, 240, 250, 200) to the top of the engine compartment measurements and see what's what. Good luck on your intended swap!

 

I think the 240 and 300 are the same size externally. Just different crank & pistons. The big sixes are really long motors, and generally don't fit in anything except a full size truck. Some people have stuck them in Rangers with major firewall & radiator modifications.

A quiet exhaust, hood insulation, and a fully ducted, OEM-style air cleaner will hush up the V8 sound.

 

Not to mention a new, upgraded brake system. When all said and done, you can put anything in anything. The easier swap would be a 200 or 250....but one still should consider the brake upgrade.

 

Welcome & it's great to see another I-6 & Ranchero lover here.

The '66 Ranchero used the Galaxy Mid-Size car frame for this year.
So there'll be No issues of fit, as the 240 I-6, the Baby brother of the 300 I-6, was one of the engine options for FoMoCo's Mid-Sized cars.
As for the Trans fitting, the 240/300-289/302 & 351 engines all used the same Trans's.

 

Then drop one in! The 300 is fun to drive with short, wide gearing and breathing improvements (intake, 4bbl, EFI exhaust manifolds). Oceans of torque- goes like a sailboat in a strong gust of wind. Your shiftpoints will probably be 20MPH and 40MPH, maybe higher, with great pickup throughout and all the tirespin you could want in 1st.

 

IIRC, the deck height and overall block height is taller on the 300

 

From what I read, the rotating assembly is different on the 240 (shorter crank, much longer rods, different pistons), but the block is the same. Folks on the board who get a "new" truck often can't tell if they have a 240 or a 300 until they check VIN & casting numbers.

 

I would keep the v8. It's more powerful than the 300. It's also much more simple.

How could you not like the sound of a V8?????

 

The 240 and 300 are the same block and exterior dimensions.

The '66 still uses the Falcon front end, which was now more like the Fairlane. The "large Fords" were Galaxies, and they did have the 240 installed. The Fairlane only had the small block six, the 200.

A 300 will not easily fit in this car. Hood clearance will be a major issue, causing any 4bbl install to stick through the hood to the degree that you will need a spotter in the right seat if you are going to drive it on the street.

While these don't seem to bring the premium prices that Mustangs do, there were only something around 21000 produced. Carving one up to install a 300 seems a shame.

Maybe you could swap vehicles with this guy--he knows what to do with a V8, and his is already in a condition where the 300 swap would make sense:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2524706/2#v11

 

Then why aren't you V8 Bill? I've just never gotten into V8's. I've had lots of sixes, from Hudson Hornets to Jaguars. I like them. I tried to get into the 289...AFB 4 barrel on an Edelbrock manifold, double roller chain turning an Isky cam, duals with glasspacks, etc. It still seems like they removed to many parts to save money, and it's balanced like a V8. The 300 is a great engine, and I've wanted to build one for a long time. Maybe I'll have to find a different vehicle. I wish I still had my '53 panel. I should never have sold it. I've been kicking myself ever since.
BZ

 

I've had a Ranchero and an E pickup...I would just about kill to have them back. Both had 170's.

 

If you're willing to do all of the work and pay for all of the parts, I'll let you swap motors. You yank my 300 and drop in the 289. I'd be happy to have a V8.

Don't talk as if I'm made of money and time. I'm a working man like everyone else.

 

For the record, I've had a couple of 289s, a 302 and a 300. The 300 is a good engine, obviously it can be built. If you did all that stuff to a 289, and what, you don't like the way it sounds? Does it run right? It should be 250+ hp, maybe more.

Beats me, your vehicle.