Mod motor?
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From: muscle shoals
Mod motor?
Hello everyone,
I bought a 69 shortbed stepside about 3 weeks ago with a 390 auto. While the 390 is STRONG, I'd like to swap it out for something a little more efficient with and o/d trans. I've had 4 crown vic's and I'm a big fan of the 4.6 and I'd like to swap one into my truck. So, my question is... Is it worth it? I've seen some posts of people starting the swap but haven't seen many who have finished it. Is it worth all the trouble or would I be better off swapping in an explorer 5.0? I think the wiring harness for both engines will cost about the same.
I bought a 69 shortbed stepside about 3 weeks ago with a 390 auto. While the 390 is STRONG, I'd like to swap it out for something a little more efficient with and o/d trans. I've had 4 crown vic's and I'm a big fan of the 4.6 and I'd like to swap one into my truck. So, my question is... Is it worth it? I've seen some posts of people starting the swap but haven't seen many who have finished it. Is it worth all the trouble or would I be better off swapping in an explorer 5.0? I think the wiring harness for both engines will cost about the same.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southern California
Truthfully, the 390 is a grunt type workhorse of an engine.......with basic performance upgrades it will do anything 9including mpg) that the 4.6 will (and even better) for a lot less $.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Raleigh, NC
Hello everyone,
I bought a 69 shortbed stepside about 3 weeks ago with a 390 auto. While the 390 is STRONG, I'd like to swap it out for something a little more efficient with and o/d trans. I've had 4 crown vic's and I'm a big fan of the 4.6 and I'd like to swap one into my truck. So, my question is... Is it worth it? I've seen some posts of people starting the swap but haven't seen many who have finished it. Is it worth all the trouble or would I be better off swapping in an explorer 5.0? I think the wiring harness for both engines will cost about the same.
I bought a 69 shortbed stepside about 3 weeks ago with a 390 auto. While the 390 is STRONG, I'd like to swap it out for something a little more efficient with and o/d trans. I've had 4 crown vic's and I'm a big fan of the 4.6 and I'd like to swap one into my truck. So, my question is... Is it worth it? I've seen some posts of people starting the swap but haven't seen many who have finished it. Is it worth all the trouble or would I be better off swapping in an explorer 5.0? I think the wiring harness for both engines will cost about the same.
Would you use the stock exhaust manifolds? If you want headers, you'd have your choice of a few different brands for a 302 in the F100. Are any available for a mod motor in a F100?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
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From: Black Hills of SD
I don't think there are any upgrades you can do to a 390 that will get it to do much more than half the mileage a 4.6 will get. Sure more torque can be had from the 390 but how many of these great old trucks are just sidelined because people can afford to feed them anymore. I think the 4.6 is a great idea. I have a friend who put one in a 49 Ford and he gets 25 mog on the highway.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
A guy I know in S. Raleigh put a Lincoln 4.6 in his 65 shortbed, he gets 22-23 out on the road with it. I have driven the truck, it is responsive like the FE, but those mpgs are way out front.
John
John
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Post Fiend
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From: Black Hills of SD
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From: muscle shoals
jowilker, that's really what I'm trying to accomplish. I would drive my truck daily if I could get decent mileage out of it. My wrangler gets 15-17 mpg so if I could get close to that I'd be happy.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Kenner,La.
4.6 modular
tyjreid, I have a 98 Lincoln 32 valve engine in my 67 Ford XL, 3.70 axle with a t45 transmisson. Last weekend we drove to Branson ,MO. and back from Kenner ,LA. Ran between 70&80 both ways with ac on. Averaged 19 to 20 mpg. Car weighs 4100 empty. I am getting things together to install a 5.4 with a CV clip on my 68 Ranger. I am also planning on a single turbocharger setup. I just aquired a complete rear frame from a 04 Mountaineer that will also go on. I just cannot leave it alone. Just be sure to get the complete electrical system and get the wiring diagram. If you cannot get it from Ford it can be downloaded from the internet. The powertrain control module can be reflashed at a Mustang tuner shop to eliminate some of the emission controls.
Good Luck, Kenny
Good Luck, Kenny
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
auto.On sale day, 360 engines magically become 390's! How do you know your truck has a 390, since ALL 1965/76 FE engines look identical?
The engine code is the 4th digit of the VIN: 1968/72 F100/350: H = 390 2V / Y = 360 2V
But who knows what size the engine is today, after 43 years have passed by?
360/390's share the same block, the bore is the same (4.05"), the stroke is different.
Stroke: 360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78."
Flareside = Ford / A Stepside is a (gasp) Chevrolet.
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From: muscle shoals
Thanks Kenny. As far as wiring goes, I'll probably get a complete harness from thedetailzone.com to make the project go quicker.
NumberDummy, you're exactly right, I don't know for sure what size the engine is. The previous owner got it out of a different truck( the same one he got the disk brake and power steering out of), rebuilt it and threw some 390 badges on the fender. Personally, I think it's a 360(because of some of the things the PO )said but I haven't pulled the oil pan and got the numbers of the crank.
NumberDummy, you're exactly right, I don't know for sure what size the engine is. The previous owner got it out of a different truck( the same one he got the disk brake and power steering out of), rebuilt it and threw some 390 badges on the fender. Personally, I think it's a 360(because of some of the things the PO )said but I haven't pulled the oil pan and got the numbers of the crank.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Glendale, AZ
You can do the wiring harness yourself if you get the complete harness out of the car, a factory electrical troubleshooting manual and a lot of time and patience. I did mine myself just so I could say that I did it. The Detail Zone is really a much better way to go, you get to work with all new wires and it would be a lot faster.
Here is my 95 Lincoln Mark VIII engine in my 63 F100.
Lots of work but it was worth it.
Kevin
Here is my 95 Lincoln Mark VIII engine in my 63 F100.
Lots of work but it was worth it.
Kevin