The 1965 Econo did not come stock with a 200. It came stock with either a 170 or a 240. It is possible that your van came stock with a 170 and someone changed it to a 200. (mine was that way) That would be a fairly easy swap.

We need to determine if you actually have a 200 or a 240.

The bellhousing is different for the 170 and 240. Thus if you have a 170/200, then you need a different bellhousing to install a 240/300/289/302.

The 170 vans came with the smaller rear axle. The 240 vans came (usually?) with the larger, stronger 9" rear end. You can tell the difference by which side the cover is on. If the rear axle gear cover points to the front of the van, then you have the stronger 9" rear axle. If the rear axle cover points to the rear of the van then you have the light duty rear axle.

The 65 dog house (engine cover) is large enough to squeeze in a small block V8 like a 289 or 302. The small V8 will bolt up to the 240 bellhousing. The 240/300 fits better and allows space to change the spark plugs. The difference in HP between the large 6 and the small V8 is not worth the swap in my opinion.

 

Yea, 100 hp ain't no big thang....

 

SO.. What this Guy's (assuming) Post Originally stated I have been doing and Put into motion to quite a serious extent I.E. I have a 300 form a '65 I was told 'Dump Truck', 67 I think E100 with a currently torn apart 170.

What I've gathered graciously from your awesome forums is that I;

need to scrap a 240's front axle

the bell housing that came with the 300 (and t18 for $350) is going to bolt right into my 3.03 three on the tree.. right?

I should look into the disc brake conversions based on the AMC's

... theres more to it i know it.. bigger radiator, oil cooler, and ranger overdrive?

 

If your 300 is out of a '65 dump truck, you may have the higher flowing exhaust manifold:

Also during the late sixties and early seventies, the 300 was used in larger vehicles such as dump trucks, many weighing into the 15,000–20,000 pound (7,000–9,000 kg) range. These 300s were equipped with a higher flow HD (Heavy Duty) exhaust manifold, since the engines were going to be constantly working in the 3000–4000 rpm range. These rare, yet effective manifolds had higher flow than the electronic fuel injection 4.9 (300)manifolds and some headers.

I believe that the bellhousing should work with the tranny you have. Rangers don't have side loader trannys so don't think that would work for you. I run the interstate with mine and have the 170/3sp/3:50 gearing. I don't have any problems with the tranny that's stock in it. Granted the RPM of the engine would be nice if they were lower, but it is what it is.

I don't have any issues with drum brakes and won't be looking at them for my truck.

I would however try to find the front axle/springs from a 240 Econoline to save the wear and tear on the lighter axle. The Falcon vans or Ford SuperVans would be great donors if you can find one as a number of them had the automatics in them if that's what you want.

 

Two things to check on the bell to trans: Pattern--you should have the "butterfly" pattern, if so, good on one. Input shaft length--gotta measure. Some trucks use a longer input and thus a deeper bell.

 

Ruffinit - I appriciate the info, i have heard of these rare and magical headers. Any Idea how to spot one of these things? Identifying features ect.. Also you think it would be in my best interest to get a standard manifold if it is this high flow exhaust since I probably won't be in the 3000-4500 rpm range these things were designed for all day. As far as the ranger overdrive goes it's a pipe dream but i think it's doable since the overdrive doesn't mount to the chassis and I would try to make linkage that required minimal floor cut out and brace where ever I cut. The Lower rpm/gas mileage would be worth all the tedious fabrication work, not to mention what I'd call a six on the tree! And I got the time, I'm only 23.

85e150six4Mtod- Thanks for the heads up, I do have the butterfly and the 170's bell is mounted to the narrower pattern so i can see the wider pattern and it looks like it'll fit the 300's bell. drive shaft length is next to check out but i gotta go to work first.

All advice, stories, criticisms, warnings, whining and jealous rants welcome. Thanks in advance, - Drew

 

Drive shaft length is an easy, if not cheap, fix. INPUT shaft length and bell depth is what I was cautioning you on. Good luck with your project!

 

Fixed it for you.

 

A little follow up with some more questions of course.

I was lucky enough to get my door tag decoded on another thread and discovered my 170 came stock with the five leaf suspension. Anyone know if it might also have the larger front axle/cross member?

The 300 I picked up does have the hd exhaust manifold and as soon as I get the 170 back in the van I can free up the engine stand, pull the oil pan off the 300 and check for that steel forged crank

 

Delete please double post sorry

 

I think the main diff between the 240 and the 300 was the crank and rods.
If you can find a 300 out of an F650 it not only has better flow but i think it had forged internals (their is a guy on the sight known as number dummy he is like all seeing all knowing) he would know. also if so i too would be interested. as far as the other post that indicated 750 hp out of a 300, who knows I've read where people have cut down v8 heads and created an in the left out the right through flow set up. add 12:1 or blower i think it's very likely. I also doubt it's a daily driver though.
good luck svj

 

If you go to yahoo groups and find Econosrus and post your question there you will get all the info you need. There is a member of that group who does lots of upgrades, his name is Vic LaFontain. if you tell hime what engine and trans you want to use, and send him your engine mount cross member he will modify it to your needs and fabricate a trans mount for you at a reasonable cost. Good Luck, Mark in Citrus Heights

 

Several have mentioned the front axle. The front axle is the same on all 1961 to 1967 Econolines. It does not matter whether it is a light-duty or heavy-duty van/pup.

The difference is an additional leaf spring on the heavy-duties. Some think it makes the driving too stiff, and if you are not hauling a lot of stuff, you can remove a leaf.

The heavy-duties had a front sway bar, which is nice to have when rounding curves at excessive speeds.

 

Thanks Bill