The little 223 six in my 61 F350 kicked the bucket (the block cracked) so I am going to do what I wanted to in the first place (this will be the second engine I put in it), and that is convert to a V8!

Question is, does anyone know if any of the engine conversion kits that are listed for F100/F250 work in the F350? If not, what are the differences? Are the frame rails wider?

What is the better engine (installation not a consideration)? 351W 390 or 460?

And which would be easiest to install? The tranny is a t18/98.

Also, if I just look for a donor, do I have to stay in the 61-66 era, or can I go to the 79' like the 100/250?


Thanks,
Mike

 

I can't speak to the similarities between the F350 and other F series but I've done a little checking on transmission compatibility and I'd be surprised if you could find a bellhousing that would mate that tranny to any later V8. This is one of the many reasons I decided to stick with my lil ole stock 223. Obviously you don't have a choice now that your shook hands with Elvis. Good luck in any case.

Kris

 

These old trucks have the suspension under them to put just about any engine/tranny combo you want. Your best bet is to hit the bone yard and find a running engine/tranny and make a deal with the guy so you can come and go as you need parts off the rig. Be sure to get everything, if you don't need it you can sell/trade/give it away later.

I eventually want to put a 292 in my '62 when the old 223 dies, but if I can't find one (or just don't want to spend that much money) I'm going with the 351w. Light weight and plenty of power.

That being said, I'm in need of a harmonic balancer off a 223. Seeing that your block is cracked, perhaps we can work a deal. E-mail me off board tysonb(at)tamu.edu (replace the (at) with @)

Thanks,

Tyson

 

It sure seems like the T18/98 was used behind a lot of motors. I would think they used it behind a 351w or 460 at some point in time. Anyone know for sure?

 

Mike, Ever thought of putting your sheet metal on a 70s 250 or 350 chassis? Might get you a lot of upgrades at one time.

No more stomping the floorboard to stop, strongarm steering a memory, ahhhhhhhh......

 

Too bad about the 223...err...got the exhaust manifold off that corpse you'd care to donate (for a fee) to my project?

 

Unfortunately swapping the body over to a new chasis is not really an option for me. It is the chasis on this thing I want to keep more than the body. This is an extreemly stout truck with a an excelent dump system. The rear axel on this thing is a Rockwell Standard they put under 2 ton trucks (5.83 ratio). And it is factory according to the vin. The only downfall to the setup, is its really a farm truck (but that is what I use it for). With the little 223 it topped out at 45mph and sucked gas in doing so and had trouble going up long slopes at speed. At a crawl though, it will go up anything.

When I bought the thing, it needed a new engine. I couldn't find anyone willing to swap in a V8. So I replaced the 223 (6 years ago) with a rebuilt. No problem until I flushed the radiator and did not add antifreeze. I live in Florida, and figured, it doesn't get cold enough to worry about that. Oh was I wrong!

But now that I have a cracked block, and know more about swaps etc (thanks to this great site), and now also know a mechanic willing to help, I can justify spending the bucks for a V8 swap.

And then there is the body.... well at best it is a distance looker, and that is being generous. A friend and I put about 3 gallons of Bondo into it!!

So the question remains: Did Ford ever put a T98 behind either the 351W or the 460? Do I just need to find the correct bellhousing?

Thanks for all comments.

 

I should add... Someone had mentioned changing trannies as well, but due to the dump, PTO, I'd rather not change anything else if I can avoid it. Everything is there, all in place, just need a new motor. Hoping I can find bellhousing, motor mounts etc... and drop one in and go.

So the question remains: Did Ford ever put a T18 behind either the 351W or the 460? Do I just need to find the correct bellhousing and mounts?

Thanks for all comments.

 

I have seen a np435 on a 302 and I believe they used a T-18 on a 460. I think all you need to do is get the bellhousing.

 

If you tried to reply to me about a 223 exhaust maifold, try my email <buellb@gvtc.com>, I got a "hit" that you replied, but cannot find it. Many Thanks. Also anyone else out there got a good manifold for me (cheep)?

 

liltoot , If i were going to keep that tough ole' truck....I'd look for a 352 with a np435 or t18 bolted too it......in a bone yard or in an old truck. The closer you stay too your truck in terms of model years the less modifications you are going to have too make.. especially when hooking up your clutch linkage , etc. The np435 would be the ideal tranny or even one out of a f500 or f600 close too the model year of your truck. If you can find a gas engine out of an f500 or f600 within 3 or 4 model years say up thru 65 or 66 ...these engines will have alot heavier cranks , rods , blocks in them than will them than do the f100 thru f350 trucks. fd

 

I'm not trying to be a wise a$$ but are you sure the block cracked? I've seen casting plugs so called Freeze Plugs get pushed out and or rust though over the winter.
I think you've got an easy swap there if you decide to go ahead.

44Dwarf

 

The block is definately cracked. Runs about half the length of the block. The freeze plugs didn't budge!

Finding old trucks in Florida is a difficult task, however, I had found a 66' F350 with a V8 about 15 miles down the road. The guy had been advertising the thing in the paper several months before my engine woes for $800 OBO. It was supposedly real rough, but had what I wanted, the V8. He ran the add for about three months as well. I had thought about buying it for parts, mostly for the V8, but could not justify it because mine ran too good, just slow on the road with that little 223. I kept a copy of the ad just in case. So then it happens, my block cracks, and now I have justification! I give the guy a call, and it turns out he no onger wants to sell it! Go figure....

If I can't find a straight forward swap like that, I think I want to go with the more modern 385 series or small block, easier to get parts etc... unless you guys convince me i'd be better off with an FE.

At this point, I'm just in the gathering info stage, so I'm open to all suggestions.

 

As far as you guys asking for parts from the left over 223, I'll let you know whats available after I know for sure I'm swapping to the V8. Send me a private message with your e-mail.

You might want to check out e-bay, I saw a clifford intake/header/4barrel setup listed there. Might be able to land it cheap.