I've got a 410 Mercury. Looking for a cool project to stick this thing in. There is a 54 F100 for sale in my area. Just wondering if any of you guys know if a FE big block will fit into this truck.

Thanks, archeat2

 

It fits in extremely easily even on stock mounts, but since it is so heavy, you are adding 150 lbs to the front and it sure won't steer or drive as well. I have done this twice and would not do it again, but it is very easy. Think about the future which is $5 a gallon gas, extreme crusher laws, so if it is to be a garage queen and you are going to put in power steering, (brakes are ok non power as they are Bendix) convert to 12V, go ahead. If I had a '55, I would leave it at 6V, and put in a flathead and drive it.

Alan

 

"A Flathead in a 54" Don't get me wrong, I love Flatheads, (I have a few of em to too!) but the Flathead wasn't even a stock option in 54 (american trucks)
You should put a 350 SBC in it jk

I say go for it, so maybe you'll need to beef up the front suspension a little bit. just don't lower it or people will call it a poodle truck



Josh

 

OK, I'll bite, what's with the extreme crusher laws and what difference do they make here???

It's not like he is going to all this effort and then taking it to the crusher.

As for $5.00 a gallon gas... Most people don't use these toys as daily drivers and that flatty wouldn't do that much better anyway. He can match or beat the mileage with gearing. Consider Julie's truck as an example.

 

Julies truck kick's A$S!

 

From: Wikipedia

“The least-common MEL engine was the 410 cu in (6.7 L) E-475. Bore was lower at 4.2 in (106.7 mm). 10.5.1 compression, a Holley four-barrel carb, and hydraulic lifters pushed out 345 hp (248 kW) and 475 ft•lbf (644 Nm) of torque”.

Yep, you got it, stick it in, But, (always a but) the 410 was rare engine and hard to get parts for (and for some reason a real pig to work on). I would think that parts would now be even harder to get and hp per lb. =........ cool,…. but not very efficient, ............but then the price is right!

 

OOOOHHHH, lotsa of nice comments! Thanks!

Old's point about the 410 is well taken, as I found even a few parts for the FE390 a little hard to find. And these were all really stupid things - like heater hose nipples that come out of the water pump, etc.

As far as weight is concerned you will be fine, and here's why. First the 53 and 54 suspension is the same. 53 was the last year that had the 239 flathead. And believe it or not, if you replace the stock cast intake manifold from the FE (have any of you guys ever tried to pick one of those up!!!!!!!) with a nice Edelbrock Aluminum intake manifold the weights between the two engines is almost exactly the same (within 20 pounds) with a C6, and 2.80:1, 9 3/8 rear end I go 65 at 2400rpm and get abouty 12 MPG.

The engine will fit fine. It may be a little close to your firewall so you might have to solder a fitting diverting your heater outlet, or make new shifter rods, etc. But one thing you will need to pay attention to is the transmission you put in there, where your transmission crossmember is, and how much room you will have between it and the floorboard.

I have an FE 390PI with the C6 and 9 3/8 rear in my 51. A couple things were tight, but nothing was impossible.

It handles "OK," but I need kingpins and to have the springs respring. Stock brakes stop it just fine. You will need to box your frame from the firewall forward, and have a good strong motor mount system made.

Check out my galleries on the FE replacement. If you have any specific questions, I have tons of pictures.

 

Thanks for the great feedback everyone. Sorry to say my little plan isn't going to work out right now anyways. I called about the truck last night and it has already sold. Definitely got my imagination going about one of these trucks as a home for my 410, which I guess I forgot to mention yesterday is a family heirloom, it's been in my grandfathers garage since the late 70s, came out of a Marauder he had. He snuck a 390 in it before he sold it and kept the 410 for himself.

 

too bad on it being sold!
Keep your eyes open, you will find another one!
Josh