Good morning.
I have successfully taken my 351W powered 83 F150 from EEC3/DS3 to DSII, and have it running fine with a late 2100 2bbl. I have driven it for a couple hundred miles, and have found that the two tanks successfully switch back and forth and seem to be serving fuel in a proper manner. Other than a minor noise with the speedo (not sure if it just needs grease in the cable or the mech itself is bad), overall the PU seems to fill the bill nicely.

But, I just wish it were a big six.

I have the LOW NP435, and 3:55's and have decided that at my age, since I will primarily be operating 40-50 MPH max...why not plan for an engine swap.

I read that engine perches may be necessary, and of course the motor itself, and maybe a new radiator, and a few other minor bits and pieces.

Are there any recommendations on a year of motor to look for?.

I hear that the 90's efi motors have better exhaust manifolds, but I'm not sure about that.

I assume as long as there is a hole for the distributor one can be installed?...It will be a DSII system with a 2100 carb of some sort.

Anyway..if any of you have some thoughts and perhaps point to threads that covers this swap for an early 80's F150 I'd be grateful...

Thanks for ur input

 

bell housing should be an issue as it shared the bolt pattern with the windsor small blocks. I believe some even came withe NP435.

motor and frame mounts like you state.

Radiator will need to change. The I6 had the inlet and outlet connections on the opposite sides from the V8's.

As far as any advantages to be gained with a 90's era 300? I would leave that for someone who knows more about those. I would think the distributor should swap right over yes. Not sure about the intake.

 

JohnSmith3524,

I love the big 6's, have two in the family, but unless you just really WANT the 300/4.9L, ask yourself how much the proposed engine swap will cost and then figure what real difference there will be in gas mileage and then do the math to determine how long it would take to pay back what was spent. Then make a knowledgeable decision.

It would be an easier decision IF your 351W was not in such good shape.

Good luck and have fun!

 

I have to agree with that. I love my 300 but the 351 is a good motor also. As long as it's running good I don't think you'll gain anything in the swap.

As for the EFI motors, 87 and later are EFI. They have better exhaust manifolds and the head flows better and has better compression, 8.8 I believe. However the heads had a problem of cracking if over heated from what I've heard.

There are no 2bl manifolds that I've seen, unless your talking about double 2's.

 

I can verify that the DS2 sysetm is a direct swap tor the EFI engine, the manifolds are far better as stated as well as the EFI engine having slightly more compression. The I6 had the NP435 behind it as well, so the proper clutch is available. Radiator and mounts for sure needs to be changed as mentioned above as well.

As for the 2 barrel manifolds, a 4V manifold with a 2V adapter is how its usually done.

 

The 351W runs great, but sometimes when I hear it idling I can imagine a little main bearing pounding..although that may be the effect of the exhaust drone while sitting behind the wheel.
This engine was a "reman" replacement 75K ago. I wish I knew what it had in for rods, mains etc. It wasn't a Ford crate motor I know that.

After an oil filter change, It can knock till it builds pressure..That's an irritation.

I'm using a Motor-craft filter but sometimes when restarting after driving, it can "knock" a couple times till firing....another irritation.

Basically I bought this thinking it may go forever and carry the camper when needed but I know if I have to rebuild it, I would want to put the 300 in there...

If all that is needed for an EFI motor is the intake manifold, say an OFFY dual plane, they seem to be reasonable enough.

Thanks again all for the input. I think I will start to collect the parts for the swap to have on hand. These parts have value in themselves so I don't think it would be a real waste of money in the long run.

 

You got that right. All the right parts on hand will not go to waste. If you deside not to do it....there will be plenty of people waiting to pay you for them.
I'm thinking of doing something similar. I think my C6 is showing signs of end of life. I'm contemplating either doing a rebuild of maybe a ZF5 swap while I got it out. If I can find the parts over time, and my current C6 holds up for a while, I may just do that. If not, I'll for sure be able to find a home for them.

 

I have considered the ZF5 swap as well in the process, we'll just have to see what parts come along I guess..

After thinking about it, I really like the simplicity of the Clutch actuating system of the NP435. The irritation of an internal slave arrangement doesn't appeal to me since I guess I would be the guy to pull the trannie to change it...I'm not getting any younger..just in my mind..

 

you have the big advantage of having a manual already so that's half the battle. I would love to do it...but my gut tells me I'll just stick to the C6...I don't put a lot of miles on it.

 

You know if you need a 300 I6, I have one for sale, if your intrested you can PM me.

 

I just went the other way, I6 to 351W. I have all the parts off of the old one for anyone to come get 'em, engine, mounts, radiator. Otherwise it will go to the scrap yard. I'll probably save the mounts though.

 

When shopping for an I6, keep in mind that the fuelie engines lack the hole for the fuel pump. Its cylinder head combustion chamber is much different as well, and it can be challenging to stop preignition when used with a carburetor.
I like the way you think.

 

Thanks for the good comments all. About the chamber design I'll keep that in mind. I have been trying to get up to speed with the characteristics of the 300. The last one I owned was was in a 77 E-250 extended cargo van with a beach conversion. It was a great workhorse.

I suppose a guy could have the block cut for the fuel pump? If it is like the smaller Ranger 2.3L they left the mount holes for the pump and the of course the aux shaft had the lobe so you could just route out the hole for the lever..

I probably wont rush into a panic buying spree for these parts, but if anyone is local enough so we could visit about any of those parts you have feel free to PM me.

I know picking up a set of perches and mounts would be the biggest deal i Think...

I wish you were closer, I'd surely drop by, don't crush those perches before we talk!....

 

Actually, I am a lot closer. I am in Western Montana. I can't seem to figure out how to change the location in my profile, so it says MI for some reason. Fat fingered it I guess. If you want the engine and radiator, let me know in the next couple of weeks.

 

I love my 300........but I would never yank a good running 351W to replace it with a 300. You have SOOOOOOO many more options for performance parts and aftermarket parts on the 351W.

I had a '66 Mustang with a tired 289 that I replaced with a 351W. I found it to be a wonderful engine - very smooth running, lots of torque.