Hey,
this is my first post here, so pls excuse if i sound dumb or rambling. I have a 96 f-150 with 372,000 km. It's a 5speed, with a 302. Lately it's been running on 7 cylinders, and since the computer plug thingy doesn't work, i can't plug in and find out why. I changed the plugs, wires, distributor and cap, nothing. Anyways, more to the point. I love my truck. I don't want to get rid of it.

I would like to put a different engine into it. Ideas??

Doesn't have to have more power, but i would really really love to get better mileage. Right now i'm getting between 11 and 12.7 mpg (american gallon, not british), and most of my driving is highway. My father-in-law (mechanic, and a ford guy) joked about putting his cleveland (2v) into it, and then asked seriously if i'd consider it. It would need a new carb, but that's about it. He thinks that if i got a nice 4-barrel the cleveland would be much better on fuel than what i have now. Would this engine in my truck (a 2wd, 5spd) give me better mileage than what i'm getting??

Would you do it?
The work and making things fit (like putting a carbeurated engine into a fuel injected truck) is not at all the issue. it's just, well... i do a lot of driving (carpenter who lives in the country) and spend a lot on fuel, and would like to spend a little less.

 

Id go with the engine swap. Depending on your fab skills, your options are endless! Personally, Id go with an ol 351W. Good power, good mileage and a direct swap (I believe)

 

fab skills is not an issue. just, as long as i don't get worst mileage after doing it.

also, i don't have a 351 w. just a cleveland.

 

i havent heard much on the 351C but nonetheless, its still an engine lol. You should get better mileage no matter what engine you put in there. I think your reason for your horrible mpgs is because your running on 7 cylinders thus you need more gas to make it move. Hecck even a 460 would get 11 mpg!

If someone offered me a 351, no matter which one, Id take it. Iv heard nothing but good reports from them.

 

I don't see how a non-standard engine swap is going to be easier or faster in this case, engine swaps are always more involved than you might think and doing a 351c on this truck has added complications. Do some basic troubleshooting on the motor to see if the misfire is ignition or mechanical related(low compression), and get your test port fixed(could just be a fuse) so you can figure out why your truck is only getting 11mpg, it should do mid teens no problem. Once that is established swapping in another 5.0 will be dumb easy and if you want an upgrade a 5.8EFI isn't a lot more work but you will need a '96 vintage motor.

 

What he said^
The money that you would spend on the swap could be put towards fixing the one you have now.
You would need a different tranny since the 302 is a SB and the 351C is a BB.
You would need to fab motor mounts since they never put a BB in an F-150 in 96.
A 5.8 (351W) is going to be your most cost effective swap.
But first I would fix you OBDII port and pull codes.

 

351C is a small block
351M is a big block

 

Oh. Well I knew it was in the 335 engine family which I thought were all BB.
Learned something new today.

 

Yup lol. (I had to google it to make sure I was right lol)

351C SB
351W SB
351M Totally different animal; BB

 

Haha. You've got to love the net.

 

Here is a interesting question? I got a 96 F-150 with a 4.9L that i would like to replace with a larger engine. Can a FE 428 fit?

 

Is that a Big Block? Lol
I'm not sure if it has the same motor mounts as a 460 but if it does then L&L makes frame brackets to put a 460 in an f-150.

 

Yeah its a big block.

 

It wont fit without changing stuff. Motor mounts for sure. Prolly tranny bellhousing too, not to mention youll need the computer to make it work. Itd be worth the effort tho!

 

so... i don't think i'd need a computer to run a cleveland.. it's a 70's era carb'd motor. I'd basically take out most of the electronics from the harness and pull the "check engine" bulb out so it's not on all the time. It's a small block, and if i'm not mistaken the mounts are the same... the tranny might need some work, and i'd definitely need new exhaust, but let's be honest, even if i didn't need it, after i put a cleveland in my truck i'd definitely be putting a nice exhaust system in....