Possible future engine swaps

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Apr 18, 2011 | 11:47 AM

n8ishooiam

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From: Portland

Possible future engine swaps

I have a 1968 F250 camper special 2x4 with a 390. It only has 127K on it and I just got it running again. I think it's going to give me quite a bit of life but I'm not against swapping it out for a bigger "fantasy" motor once this one goes. I read someone on here is doing a 460. I'm just curious if there are any motor/trani combos that are easier than others to swap in without too much heartache. I'm also not against learning as I go and experiencing some moderate modifications. But I don't want to get into it and it turn into a nightmare.

Also would there be any worth in just building up my 390 to save hassle?

Apr 18, 2011 | 10:21 PM

JeffsF-250

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From: High Desert of Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by n8ishooiam

I'm just curious if there are any motor/trani combos that are easier than others to swap in without too much heartache. I'm also not against learning as I go and experiencing some moderate modifications.

The easy ones are going to be combinations that were available from the factory. The next level is swaps that are well-documented; IF you have the tools and talents, as a lot of them will need some fabrication to be done. From what I've read it looks to me like if you can work a welder and a grinder the 460 swap isn't that big a deal to do. The good news is, and I am by no means an expert on Ford trucks at this point, there is a lot of room under the hood so it would seem to me that you can put doggone near anything in there assuming you can buy or make the mounts. And maybe the custom headers, that seems to be a common theme on the engine swaps.....

I'd probably start here Engine Swaps - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Apr 18, 2011 | 11:35 PM

HIO Silver

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From: NorCal

Check out Survival Motorsports. Gary Robotnik is an FE guru. That 390 can easily become 445 cubic inches of snot-slingin' grunt.

Apr 18, 2011 | 11:43 PM

85e150

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HIO Silver

Check out Survival Motorsports. Gary Robotnik is an FE guru. That 390 can easily become 445 cubic inches of snot-slingin' grunt.

x2

Better a mild 445 out of your current set up. No accessory or other issues.

Ford 390 FE - Car Craft Magazine

Apr 19, 2011 | 04:32 AM

n8ishooiam

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From: Portland

Quote:

Originally Posted by HIO Silver

Check out Survival Motorsports. Gary Robotnik is an FE guru. That 390 can easily become 445 cubic inches of snot-slingin' grunt.

I like the sound of that

Apr 19, 2011 | 02:09 PM

FECruzer69

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Yeah,because of the large engine compartment you can put almost anything in there. Some of the strangest ones I've seen include a 318poly (Mopar) in a '63 F-100, a 340 Mopar in a '65 F-100 and a 455 Buick in a '68 Ford pickup. I also saw a Ford MEL big block ,430 I think, in a mid-sixties F-series. Personally I prefer to put a Ford in a Ford but to each his own. And yes, a 390 is definitely worth building,either as a 390 or as a stroker.

Apr 19, 2011 | 04:52 PM

4x4jedi

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The 390 is a very good motor to start from. I have a 390 and a 460 in my garage and I'm thinking the 390 will be the motor I'll build. When you don't need to buy any extra crap to swap in a different motor you can focus on the important things that make the power. The 390 used to be a big contender at the strip back in the 60s-70s and was put in many potent muscle cars. If you build it with the modern affordable technology available today you will have just as much as anything else out there.

On the other hand!!! I found some of carcrafter22's diesel swaps on you tube the other day and I'm realy starting to sway in the direction of a small diesel with a 6spd behind it!! I LOVE the sound of a turbo!!!