Newly acquired 61 econoline P/U
 

Hi to all. I bought a 61 econline E100 p/u this weekend so am obviously a newbie to the forum. Pretty decent condition and i'm looking forward to making "minor" modification and/or upgrades with this new toy. I am sure I will have thousands of questions and it already appears this board is well suited for all my "dumb" questions upcoming. I've used the w/e to scour many websites for parts and things.

Here's my first question...the 144 cu. in. engine is a bit skimpy. I have a lead on a very inexpensive 240 six cyl out of a 65 ford galaxy. I have read on there the 170 and 200 is a pretty much drop in....what about the 240? what kind of problems would i run into? It comes with an a/c compressor hanging on it...it would be nice to be able to use that as well. I "assume" aftermarket" a/c units are avail as well.

Thanks in advance...I'm looking forward to the new project and help.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 76f350spercamprspeal

Welcome to FTE, Best Damn Forum EVER!
------------------------
Here's How to Post Pictures:
1. Login to FTE.
2.Click User CP (In the Top Left Hand Corner)
3.(On the Left, There will be a list, The 5th Option Down, will say "Pictures & Albums) Click That.
4.Then, Click Add Album, Enter a title, and description, if ya want to.
5. Click Upload Pictures, Then click Browse, Locate the Files of your truck. (You can add 3 files at a time)
5. Click Upload.
6. Add a description to the individual pictures, then click save.
7. Add more files if ya want.
8. Click The Picture you want to post, it will give you two codes at the bottom, Right Click The Second one (It say's BB Code, Then Say's [IMG]http:blahblahblah...[/IMG])
Then, Once that is highlighted, Right Click, Then Copy, Then Paste it into your post.
You can add up to 30 Images in one FTE Post.
If, Ya need any help, Don't hesitate to ask.


Quote:
Originally Posted by old_dan

You can also go to the "Garage" tab and start an album right here on FTE. After you post pictures to an album, we can look in your album, but you'll also be able to "insert a picture" by pasting in a link to the picture in your album.

It seems awkward, but whenever you "insert a picture" to one of these threads, the forum is looking for the picture somewhere on the web (which is always available) rather than from somewhere on your hard drive (which isn't always available).

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...010402&thumb=1

thanks...this is the one photo so far. I belong to another forum, and have received tons of help. (not a ford forum however). but i will admit, posting pics on FTE is a WHOLE lot easier than the C-word forum..ahahah

Your truck is so cool. More pic's please.

The 144, 170, and 200 are usually interchangeable.

The 240 and 300 are usually interchangeable.

You could replace the 144 with the 240 if you go with the transmission that came with the 240. But then the tail shaft is too long, so you need the tailshaft and rear cover from a '60s Econoline transmission.

Also you need to add a real engine-mount cross member like they had in 1965 to 1967 Econolines. What you have in your '61 has barely enough strength to hold up the 144.

With the 240 you need the taller dog house from a 1965 to 1967 Econoline, and you will probably need to put a hump in the floor just behind the dog house to give the larger engine clearance.

The 240 needs a radiator with the hose on the other side. A Mustang V8 radiator can be modified to work.

You might need to change the oil pan, oil pickup tube, and dip stick, since the Galaxie pan might not clear in the Econoline.

It's a lot of work to put a 240 in a '61, but many have done it.

A 200 would be an easier swap. It should bolt right up to the old 144 bellhousing and transmission with little more modification needed.

Thanks for the explanation. I've got a lead on a 64/65 mustange 200 thats pretty darn cheap. looks like thats the thing to do. I'm for simple.

Now, since i know so little about this p/u...what can i look for to ensure the engine i have in it is an original 144. Somebody could have done a swap. I guess i'm needing guidance for casting numbers and such.

Thanks

First tip is to post what the VIN tag says. From there, you will learn what came from the factory originally. If that engine is original, it should be the 144. The 144 and the 170 had 4 mains and 3 frost plugs down the right side(below the exhaust manifold) The 144,170 and the 200 all had the intake cast into the head. The 144,170, and early 200's had the high mount starters. High mount meaning that the starter mounted above the oil pan lip to block surface. Later 200's had a different bellhousing compatible with the 289/302/351W engines and that the starter mounted below the block/oil pan lip. If you are able to look at where the road draft tube mounting boss is (road draft tube is normally called a blow by tube, or crank case vent. Comes off the side of the block and runs down towards the ground. Similar to what a PCV valve does) there should be a letter punched into the block. 144 used the letter N, 170 used the letter T. Later 170's and 200's had a stamped tin tag with this info bolted to the block. If by chance it has 5 frost plugs on the right side, it will be a later 200. Performance from the 144 does suck!! Most will swap on a head from a 200.

I am on My second E100 p/u. My first was a 63 3window with the 144 , my current truck is a 67 5 window with a Mustang 5.0 Roller motor and aod 4 speed auto. The econo guys I have met call them "small block" 144,170,200, or " big block" 240,300. The diference between the two starts at the radiator and ends at the rear lug nuts. lugs and wheels are interchangeable. If I were you I would go for a strong 200. That will help with the power a good bit, but that leaves another problem. The 144 trucks came with a 7" "peanut" rear end that most often had 400:1 gear ratio. What I did was buy a parts van (big block) and swaped out the rear end, drive shaft, trans yoke, and sreedo drive gear. this gave me 350:1 gears, better hiway speeds, and my speedo was correct. The sad part was the truck had 34k miles on it so I left the 144 alone, bad idea, 0 to 65 in minutes not seconds. I think the 200 would work nicely. By the way Big block Econos came with 9" rear ends. If you want to go V8, then the best thing would be to start with a Big block truck.:-X06

i thought i might run into the same problems with swapping a 170ci with a 240/300... but i come to find out my van (67 Eco Falcon) was in fact a 1967 with a 240ci already in it rather then what i was told... was told it had a 170ci and was a 1964 model year ha!

I rejoiced with a frosty beverage when i heard the news that my van project is going to be alot easier.
Good luck with your project 61Econop/u!

econopup, anyway you could send some pictures of that 5.0 pickup? i breifly considered doing something similar but dont have the technical and engineering knowhow

'61 Econoline
 

I need the spindles! Any chance of parting with 'em?

Thanks!

Welcome to the club....[IMG]http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/...f72f62173a.jpg[/IMG]

That is one beautiful truck. The stance is perfect.:-X22

Are them real Cragers on your 1961 Econoline Pickup? Sharp truck for sure there scf100. And ya what he ^^^^ said

Yep and thanks!

Looks good 61econo, yeah we need more pics. Good luck with the upgrades.

Niiice looking Econo p/u scf100, def. sits just right. Did you flip the leafs up front to get it down. Later.