Well, my son and I are in a quandry. We're trying to figure out the best daily driver drivetrain for his '66 F100 4x4. Currently, the truck has a tired 390, stock 4 spd/Dana 21 transfer case with a bad output bearing. The whole drivetrain needs attention...
We have a 5.0/AOD/BW transfer case combo from an '86 Bronco we sourced last year, but have been told the 302 (5.0) is too wimpy for the F100. We would really like an overdrive, so the newer drivetrain sounds appealing. As we all know, the 390 is a powerful pig, but we're concerned the 302 will be an equal pig if there is not enough power to move the truck. Even though I have the computer and the EFI on the motor, we would most likely stay with a carb due to the cost and hassle of finding and fitting a wiring harness for the EFI.
Obviously, the 390 with a 5 spd would be ideal, but buying adapter plates, locating all the hardware for the swaps, etc, is daunting and very expensive.
My son is in high school and funds are VERY LIMITED. Anyone have any ideas on which way we should turn?
Is there a newer Ford frame/drivetrain we should try to swap the body onto and how difficult is that? Would that be easier and/or cheaper in the long run?
Many thanks to all.
Last edited by buckarooranch; 11-01-2009 at 10:23 PM.
Reason: More info...
If it's going to be a daily driver, the 5.0 will have plenty of power. If you plan on spinning 38's mud bogging or something along those lines I would stay with a big cube big block.
It looks like I would have to figure out the motor mounts for the 302 as the small block didn't come in one of those, but it shouldn't be too hard. I found a company that could sell me a NV4500 5 spd. with the adapters to go between the newer trans case and the 390, should the 390 be the way to go...but $2,600 is a LOT of bucks to have that.
I would think the 302 would be enough, or try to trade it for a 351 which would give a little more power and still be able to use the AOD.
A 66 4x4 should be on the 61-64 style chassis, and the 352 (no 390s installed in trucks in 66) should have a front engine mount rather than side.
Fabbing will be required to get the 302/aod in. A late 70s 4wd chassis could be found easily enough and could have/had a 302 already, but would include power steering and disc brakes.
Plan, plan, & plan some more, do it right once. The EFI will give the 302 more spunk and tunable options. Add turbo(s) and you could have a nice hotrod truck.
John
__________________
In the cool still quiet hours of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
Yes, it has a 390...around 73-76 vintage. It was put in by the numbskull that was working on it for my dad years back. If I went with the 302, I was not planning to use the EFI even though I have all the parts, except the harness. I figured by the time I worked the bugs out of it, I would lose my mind. If I had the money, I would most likely buy an aftermarket EFI.
We're not against keeping the 390, as it's a great motor...when rebuilt. We were only looking at the 302 as it would give him an overdrive and maybe some more mpg. But, as we all know, sometimes in the search for mpg, you break the bank and should stick with the cubic inches.
If I were to find a late 70's chassis, and so far I have not, how easily will the body adapt to the frame? Are there specific years I should look for? I like the idea of finding a chassis, going through it while there is no body and then dropping down the body on a chassis that we've had the time to go through.
Like most folks, we're on a pretty tight budget...my son's summer work money. We're not trying to do all of it at once, while at the same time make it work right.
Your suggestions are highly valued and appreciated!
Well, I ran the numbers on the heads, block, etc...and they all come back 390, plus my dad said it was sourced from a 76 or so 390 truck.
It sounds like fabbing to a newer 4x4 frame may not be in the works if the body is that difficult of a project. It is sounding more and more like keeping the truck stock...except for the 390, is the way to go. Putting this weird year body on any other frame might be too expensive and problematic. It sounds like the '66 4x4 was really a stepchild of a rig. We have it, and it was my dad's truck, so we'll live with it. But, I am not sure I would start from scratch with this thing.
Another question. I had to help him work on U-joints today...and noticed the output shaft on the Dana 21 case is loose...bad bearing, so it'll need repair. I also read some folks switching to the NP205 as it was also a married t-case like the Dana 21. Do you know if that is a better way to go? With the granny low of the Dana 21, I am not sure a two speed case is necessary.
Sorry unable to advise 4wd issues. The only tell for sure on the 390 is to measure the stroke. Grab a 6-8" long piece of 14-2 house wire and with the white wire in a front sparkplug hole and a Sharpie against it, rotate the engine by hand a couple rounds and measure the length of the mark. D2 & D3 heads were used on 360s. There is NO id on Ford FE heads that comes back 390.
It is gonna be work, but I think I saw a couple big barns in the photo there ought to be space in there somewhere to work on an ol Ford truck. I bought a 86 F150 4wd (that I still have, un-touched for 5 years) to make a platform for a 66 lwb the I also own. I moved and don't have a place to work on it now.
Guluk with the truck.
John
__________________
In the cool still quiet hours of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
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