1960 F600 with 223 ci motor Burning coolant, oil, and the throwout bearing is making noise.
Want to know whether I should shop around for another engine to drop in (and if so, what are the replacement options), or have it rebuild. Or just retire the old girl....

 

You have several options:
1) Will the 300 straight six swap out with the 223? Those 300's were stout engines.
2) Those trucks came with a optional 292 Y Block from the factory. You will need the appropriate bellhousing and mounts.
3) A 330/361/391 FT big block will bolt in with the appropriate bellhousing and mounts.

 

Thanks for the reply
So, you would suggest finding a replacement engine as apposed to having the existing engine rebuilt?

 

IMO, if you like what you got, fix it. if you are looking for more power, i would replace it with what ever the biggest factory engine was in 60. i think it was the 312, but could be wrong. i would think any factory option would be easier to swap than a late model engine.

 

If you're satisfied with the 223 then rebuild it. The 3 options I mentioned will give you more power.

 

Does the 223 show to be the original engine, per the data plate? Seems unusual for an F600. They are solid engines, worth fixing if not too bad. Might warrant exploratory surgery to identify what's needed before making a decision.

 

Yeah, it's original. Been a pretty good engine, though I'm afraid I took her to task far more than she had been for the last 50 yrs. Still runs, but burning lots of antifreeze and some oil. Also have the throwout bearing making some noise, so I'm afraid their seems to be alot of work needing to be done. Not sure if I can afford to have it all done. Looking for the least expensive remedy.

 

If the engine was in decent shape before the coolant loss started, I would say buy a service manual and a few tools. Replacing a head gasket on 223 in an engine bay that large is a fairly simple chore.
The throw out bearing issue is a little different, unless you have access to a transmission jack, that could be a job best left to a shop.

 

My 55 F-600 came with a 223. I'm sure it was a DOG though......someone back when I was in grade school must have swapped it for a 239.

I have a 292 almost ready to go in. I was "that close" to using a 300 though.

If you do decide to do a 300 you can use a ZF 5 speed/OD transmission and a tail-mounted parking brake like the one in my gallery on my E4OD automatic.

If your F-600 is like mine, you have no wheel mounted E-brake capability.

Otherwise you'll need to find a bell housing that will work with the trans you have to connect to the 300.


Pictures?



Cheers,


Rick

 

312's were not installed in trucks. Only in: 1956/57 Ford Custom/Fairlane/Thunderbird/Mercury Passenger Cars / 1958 Mercury Medalist / 1959/60 Mercury Monterey.

There were two 292's available in 500 series and larger trucks. One w/a 2V, a H/D version w/a Holley 4V.

223's were used in 1954/56 trucks / 1957/64 F100/600's & C500/600's (Tilt Cabs) / 1954/64 full sized Ford Passenger Cars / 1958/60 Edsels.

 

Much depends on how much time you have and how much money you want to spend.
Lowest cost is probably just pulling the head on the 223 and seeing how the head gasket looks.
If the 223 was running fine otherwise, that may be all you need.
Finding a good used 223 (or 262 six) might be a reasonable cost and a fairly easy install.
Swapping in a 292 or the FT 330, 361, 391 are also reasonable, it will be some more time and effort though. Just make sure you get the mounts with the engine.

The throwout bearing is another thing. Eventually you will have to pull the transmission to change it. When you do this you might as well replace the clutch disc and pressure plate. You should also do this if you swap engines.

 

Thanks everyone for the info and advice. Very helpful to someone as mechanically inexperienced as myself.

 

Try pouring some head gasket stop leak into the radiator to see if you can do a cheep fix. You have nothing to loose. I use some stuff called liquid glass. I do not remember the tecnical name but I buy it at an old fashion drug store. You will not find it at any of the chain stores. You drain radiator of all anti freeze, put fresh water in and pour the quart of liquid glass in. Run the engine for half hour, then drain all the water out. Then you can put your anti freeze back in. I have been quite succesful running on the dirt track with this process. Good luck