Late model engine swap
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
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Late model engine swap
Have a 1976 F250 with 62,000 miles, no rust, perfect interior. Very nice. Father-in-laws truck. Sat for 12 years after he died. Wife now said we need to own it. She said we can't sell or trade, so have to make a great ride out of it. It will no longer be a utility truck but instead need a nice ride for trips, shows and the like.. Will pull a 3000 pound trailer maybe.
The 360 ci was bad going into storage for 12 years... Head gaskets, broken rings, a real mess made worse by sitting so long. Automatic tranny leaks.
Option#1 - Rebuild the 360 and fix tranny and leaks... End up with a gas guzzler, huge 360 old technology motor with 4 barrel carb. Not high option on my list. Originality of motor not important to us.
Option #2 - Install late model motor and maybe tranny. I like this option. Reliability of newer motor, fuel injection, better power curve and mileage. I can do this project on y own.
Problem: What is the best motor/tranny combination to start with?? Size of motor? Taken from what late model truck (want to keep Ford) Ideas? Options? Resources???
My idea here is to have a nice reliable truck with all the handling and braking woes of an old F-250, but a reliable motor/tranny combination to pull my trailer and get more than the 11MPG the old 360 ci was only able to achieve..
Thanks!.
The 360 ci was bad going into storage for 12 years... Head gaskets, broken rings, a real mess made worse by sitting so long. Automatic tranny leaks.
Option#1 - Rebuild the 360 and fix tranny and leaks... End up with a gas guzzler, huge 360 old technology motor with 4 barrel carb. Not high option on my list. Originality of motor not important to us.
Option #2 - Install late model motor and maybe tranny. I like this option. Reliability of newer motor, fuel injection, better power curve and mileage. I can do this project on y own.
Problem: What is the best motor/tranny combination to start with?? Size of motor? Taken from what late model truck (want to keep Ford) Ideas? Options? Resources???
My idea here is to have a nice reliable truck with all the handling and braking woes of an old F-250, but a reliable motor/tranny combination to pull my trailer and get more than the 11MPG the old 360 ci was only able to achieve..
Thanks!.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 3
From: oo-tah
Build that 360 to a 390! That trans would be a C6, definetly worth fixing. thats just me though, these new engines are just overly complicated pains, an FE is a dependable strong motor and c6s are bullet proof.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Have a 1976 F250 with 62,000 miles, no rust, perfect interior. Very nice. Father-in-laws truck. Sat for 12 years after he died. Wife now said we need to own it. She said we can't sell or trade, so have to make a great ride out of it. It will no longer be a utility truck but instead need a nice ride for trips, shows and the like.. Will pull a 3000 pound trailer maybe.
The 360 ci was bad going into storage for 12 years... Head gaskets, broken rings, a real mess made worse by sitting so long. Automatic tranny leaks.
Option#1 - Rebuild the 360 and fix tranny and leaks... End up with a gas guzzler, huge 360 old technology motor with 4 barrel carb. Not high option on my list. Originality of motor not important to us.
Option #2 - Install late model motor and maybe tranny. I like this option. Reliability of newer motor, fuel injection, better power curve and mileage. I can do this project on y own.
Problem: What is the best motor/tranny combination to start with?? Size of motor? Taken from what late model truck (want to keep Ford) Ideas? Options? Resources???
My idea here is to have a nice reliable truck with all the handling and braking woes of an old F-250, but a reliable motor/tranny combination to pull my trailer and get more than the 11MPG the old 360 ci was only able to achieve..
The 360 ci was bad going into storage for 12 years... Head gaskets, broken rings, a real mess made worse by sitting so long. Automatic tranny leaks.
Option#1 - Rebuild the 360 and fix tranny and leaks... End up with a gas guzzler, huge 360 old technology motor with 4 barrel carb. Not high option on my list. Originality of motor not important to us.
Option #2 - Install late model motor and maybe tranny. I like this option. Reliability of newer motor, fuel injection, better power curve and mileage. I can do this project on y own.
Problem: What is the best motor/tranny combination to start with?? Size of motor? Taken from what late model truck (want to keep Ford) Ideas? Options? Resources???
My idea here is to have a nice reliable truck with all the handling and braking woes of an old F-250, but a reliable motor/tranny combination to pull my trailer and get more than the 11MPG the old 360 ci was only able to achieve..
Alternatively, dare to be different. GM's LS engine series is the new SBC/BBC. Find a wrecked Silverado and have at it with a 4L80 OD tranny. More than 20 mpg would not be uncommon.
Or, opt for the E-rod LS3 engine kit (comes with controller, front dress, & manifolds) from Scoggins-Dickey in TX.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 915
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From: Sweet home Alabama
You want to drive it dont use a 390, By the time your done flipping gas will be 5.00 a gallon!
Id do something out of the ordinary, No stinking Cummings (:O) something like a mod motor,You didnt say it 2x or 4x I have a IDI in mine looks like it belongs there but its all in your skill level.
Id do something out of the ordinary, No stinking Cummings (:O) something like a mod motor,You didnt say it 2x or 4x I have a IDI in mine looks like it belongs there but its all in your skill level.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Well... a Cummins diesel!
Alternatively, dare to be different. GM's LS engine series is the new SBC/BBC. Find a wrecked Silverado and have at it with a 4L80 OD tranny. More than 20 mpg would not be uncommon.
Or, opt for the E-rod LS3 engine kit (comes with controller, front dress, & manifolds) from Scoggins-Dickey in TX.
Alternatively, dare to be different. GM's LS engine series is the new SBC/BBC. Find a wrecked Silverado and have at it with a 4L80 OD tranny. More than 20 mpg would not be uncommon.
Or, opt for the E-rod LS3 engine kit (comes with controller, front dress, & manifolds) from Scoggins-Dickey in TX.
But you said you wanted to keep it ford...so you could go with one of the fuel injected roller cam engines, like the 351w. Or the 460. Both would have plenty of donor vehicles that would be dime a dozen. Many swear by the 300 I-6. It was available fuel injected as well too.
Good luck with your new project!
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