Engine and transmission swap
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Engine and transmission swap
I am buying a 1964 F100 with 3 speed and 223 cu in engine. The seller has a 351 cu in Windsor with auto transmission that I can buy for $500. Should I buy the 351 and install it instead of the 223?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Littleton, CO
Engine and transmission swap
Hi Luckyman:
Welcome aboard! The thing that you must consider with your delema is, can you pull the switch off on your own? Would you be happy with the engine/trans combo. What are your intentions for the truck? Also, for $500, is there a guarantee that it is in working condition. There will probably be a need to swap out motor mounts, but I will leave that up to one of the others for comment as I do not know much about the 6-cyl engines. What ever you decide, make it what you want.
Enjoy, --MG
Welcome aboard! The thing that you must consider with your delema is, can you pull the switch off on your own? Would you be happy with the engine/trans combo. What are your intentions for the truck? Also, for $500, is there a guarantee that it is in working condition. There will probably be a need to swap out motor mounts, but I will leave that up to one of the others for comment as I do not know much about the 6-cyl engines. What ever you decide, make it what you want.
Enjoy, --MG
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
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From: Sun River St. George
Engine and transmission swap
No! You should not replace the six with the eight. Save the money and improve what you have. Drive your truck for a while and think about what you really want to do with it. Then make a considered decision based on your budget, skills, tools and the desired outcome. For now run the heck out of it.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: san francisco/bay area
Engine and transmission swap
the 351 windsor blocks are getting rare, and starting to command higher prices. i will assume that it's a c4 trans that will be included-again, more desirable than a c6 in that the c4 uses less horsepower in operation. my thought is IF you can verify that the engine and trans are in fair to good condition, the money spent can at least be recupped if you decide that you dont want to switch 6 to 8. check over the engine and trans thoroughly, and go from there. -good luck! p.s., look a little sad at the thought of transporting the engine and trans, then low ball him!-dave
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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Engine and transmission swap
I tried to do the same thing with my '64 stepside, only I found out after a lot of money and effort that the block was cracked. So If I could give you ONE piece of advice, be sure you have the motor checked out before you go buying a lot of miscellaneous parts your might need to do the swap. I did and now I'm stuck with a pile of parts for a Cleveland and nothing to do with them.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 138
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From: Salisbury NC
Engine and transmission swap
I think it depends on what you want out of the truck and how much you're willing to spend. All the above advice is very good. I'm keeping the 223, 3spd combo in my 61 but the truck was my Grampa's so I want to keep it pretty much original. After I restore this one though I plan to acquire a 65 or 66 and turn it into a street terror. William's advice is right on the money I think, at least in terms of not rushing into something just because the seller has it. You can always find good V8/auto trans combos. The 302 would be a great engine and they'll be available in large numbers for years to come - just as an example. Like anything else though - it all depends on what you want out of the truck and how much you want to spend. Good luck!
Kris
Kris
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: san francisco/bay area
Engine and transmission swap
my buddy at ford let me know that you just about CANT FIND new 351/5.7 blocks-the 5.0/302 has been left out of production cars since 1994/95-attrition is making the old windsor blocks more rare by the day. nothing makes power better than displacement, so the 351 is awfully cheap, compared to a stroker 302/347 kit!when was the last time you saw a true buick/olds/pontiac engine for sale or in the junk yard? those have been out of production since @ 1977, let alone good, high nickle content early ford v8 motors of any displacement-a decent, good quality 351 is commanding at least 400 dollars on the west coast- granted, rebuilders are worth less, but as i said before, looking to the future, these blocks are going to become SCARCE! as i previously stated, check the motor out thouroughly, including pulling a head (or both) and verifiy the condition of the motor-a rebuild gasket set is a cheap price to pay for a good motor! and dont forget, i said 'low ball him!'-if that guy sold the truck, that motor and trans is pretty much a boat anchor to him now!-take care, dave- p.s., my grandpa drove an old 60's chevy panel-rusty ****box or not, i'd love to have one! stock, too! take care-
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From: Crossroads of America-Ind
Engine and transmission swap
Also keep in mind that a 351w will not "bolt in" to your chassis. Your frame is different than the 65 and later. You'll need an adapter crossmember for both the engine and transmission. Both are readily available from many sources. TransDapt makes them as well as a couple other places. Drop me a line if you need more detail. I put a 302 / C-4 in my 64 a few years ago and have the part numbers around somewhere. Good luck,
