Small engine on a F100
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Small engine on a F100
My name is Gianluca and I'm from Rome, Italy. I'm going to buy a 1953 Ford F100 short bed. In Europe a V8 engine means lot of taxes. In addition Gasoline cost triple than in the USA. For this reason I would consider a "small" Ford engine. For small engine I mean a 2 liters or less (ex Ford Focus) Anyone has already esperienced this option?
Thanks for your time
Thanks for your time
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
Likes: 398
From: W. Central FL.
Welcome to the forum. Perhaps a small diesel? Study the torque curves of any engine you consider . Also look closely at gearing options. How about the six cylinder Ford engine of the era? They are great engines. Most folks over here go for a larger engine. We would like pictures of your project. And again, welcome to the forum.
Edit: Are your vehicles taxed on number of cylinders or on displacement?
Edit: Are your vehicles taxed on number of cylinders or on displacement?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 494
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From: Guelph
Hi and welcome.I dont think anyone has ever gone to a 4 clyinder.Are the cost of the taxes and fuel worth the cost to do the engine swap.And when your done you will have a very under powered truck.Also the value of the truck will be greatly reduced.What about diesel?
P.S I am vacationing in Rome next May.
P.S I am vacationing in Rome next May.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
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From: Erie, pa
Welcome to FTE
I would look for a medium size truck for the engine source - They develope the torque needed for the weight of the 53 F100 - The next question would be the Transmission and rear end gearing. Having driven on the roads in Italy you will need both the power to navigate some of the roads with hills and aslo the speed to keep from getting run over.
About 10 years agao there was a guy from Italy building a early F-series truck - I will try and find some info on who.
Also try to find some Brits - They have the engine size problems also
I would look for a medium size truck for the engine source - They develope the torque needed for the weight of the 53 F100 - The next question would be the Transmission and rear end gearing. Having driven on the roads in Italy you will need both the power to navigate some of the roads with hills and aslo the speed to keep from getting run over.
About 10 years agao there was a guy from Italy building a early F-series truck - I will try and find some info on who.
Also try to find some Brits - They have the engine size problems also
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,222
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From: Houston
If you could find an engine/trans out of a Ford Transit Connect it might work. In Europe they have been around for years and you may be able to find one and rescue the engine. The Transit Connect actually has a slightly higher curb weight than the F100, of 3375lbs. They use a British made diesel 4 cylinder or a gas 4 cylinder. It might be quite a challenge to adapt, but everybody loves a challenge! Good luck with your truck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
I don't know if they're available around there, but it strikes me the perfect solution is the S-10 2.2L 4-banger, with the matching T5 5-speed transmission. Over here all of us are going to that T5 to lower RPM on the highway. The 2.2L isn't the smoothest engine but it has 20% more HP than the stock 6-cylinder engines and is very economical. I have a '98 S-10 that weighs in at 3300 lbs, virtually the same as an F-100, with the later 5-sp. With the better aerodynamics of the S-10 it gets real close to 30 mpg on the highway. They are usually very reliable, too.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Houston
If you can live with 2.6 liter you can try to find a 3-53 Detroit Diesel. The tubro charged version would move your truck around fairly well. Here is a thread where someone was putting one in a 52 Che*y pickup: 3-53T Silver; For a 1952 Chevy 1 ton pickup
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New User
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Thanks for your wecome and for the great tips.
Ford Transit engine could be a great solution considering that used parts of this truck are very easy to find in all Europe. I could consider a 2L gas or a 1.7L gas. One extra problem is pollution law in Rome and most important Italian cities, but I could add a PGL or metan system. I know will be a challenge
Ford Transit engine could be a great solution considering that used parts of this truck are very easy to find in all Europe. I could consider a 2L gas or a 1.7L gas. One extra problem is pollution law in Rome and most important Italian cities, but I could add a PGL or metan system. I know will be a challenge
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,644
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From: Moro Bay, AR
I have seen a F1 with a 2.3 from a Pinto, the guy said it ran pretty good. I'm running a 3 liter Mercedes diesel in my 53 and have been well satisfied with power and economy. It's all in what you want from your truck 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Northville, MI
My name is Gianluca and I'm from Rome, Italy. I'm going to buy a 1953 Ford F100 short bed. In Europe a V8 engine means lot of taxes. In addition Gasoline cost triple than in the USA. For this reason I would consider a "small" Ford engine. For small engine I mean a 2 liters or less (ex Ford Focus) Anyone has already esperienced this option?
Thanks for your time
Thanks for your time
You might want to look for a used Perkins diesel. Jeep was putting them in European CJs in the 1960s. You will have to chose carefully as Perkins has made a whole variety of small but powerful diesel engines. You will need to look at the power output and max RPM unless you change the transmission too. It will never be a Ferrari chaser but might be quite good as a local hauler.
Even the flathead V-8 that you mentioned although it is 4.0L only put out 100 hp . . . so the gear ratios should be about right.
Here is one in Japan and the links on the right at YouTube show more Perkins engines.
Buona fortuna . . . and post some pictures as you you progress. We like pictures.
perkins diesel - YouTube
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