Hey guys,

Last weekend I happend to meet the guy(original owners son) who owns this really neat looking van/pickup truck I've been lusting after for the past four years. So in a chance meeting and after a few chilly vodka drinks and some garage time we agreed to swap his 1961 truck for my 82 Kz1100 shaftie. The mechanic who's maintained this truck since 1973 happens to be a mutual friend of ours and it's looks to be well maintained. Man, it's a small world.
Supposedly the chassis has 50k on it and the motor is from a 60's somthing vintage falcon. I'm being told the clutch pivot fork deal(the part that disengages the clutch, I don't remember the name of it) is broken, I might need to weld it back together or replace it.
I'm extra intrested in the drive train, what type of three speed tranny did these things come with and can I get parts for it? How about the engine? Will a 300/6 fit in this thing?
Any war stories/maint tips from thoes of you who are old enough to remember this thing? How about some econoline history? Did Ford really recall these trucks to add a 300lb weight to the rear end?

And, what the hell is a dwell meter? (just kidding)



Chad
St Pete, FL
92 f150 300/6
61- econoline

 

Yes! I remember hearing that FORD had to add 300 lbs to the rear to keep it from flipping over its nose! Actually I guess it was too heavy in the front (or too light in the rear) for proper braking when empty. I always thought those trucks were interesting.

 

I am guessing that a 300 would fit. Beginning in '65, Ford shoehorned the 240 in there. Assuming nothing changed in terms of the engine cabin between '61 and '65 and assuming the slightly taller block height of the 300 v. the 240 (I think the 300 is half inch taller, yes??) won't be a deal-breaker, you should be good to go. Transmission mounting differences may exist as well. That'd be for someone more knowledgeable than I.

 

I had a 66 E100 it had a 3spd top laoder with a short tailshaft it had a mout on the top of the tailshaft housing and it hung from the crossmember. It was a pretty bulletproof tranny as I had stuffed a 351C in it and ran consistant 14.10s at 98. Top speed was clocked at around 125 with a friends 280ZX, what was I thinkin driving that thing that fast.

 

So these things *are pretty tough, cool. Did you have the shifter on the Column? Does the bell houseing thats in the fit a 351 or did you have to swap that thing out?

 

The 240 is the same motor a falcon used right? I guess if a 351 fits then a 300 wil fit too. Thanks..

 

Ya mine was born with a 300. If you find a 65 or 66 heavy duty model it will have a crossmember for the engine. This crossmember has the mounts for the 240/300s all other models had the little 6s and no crossmember just pylons that came out from the frame. These pylons tended to twist when heavy torque was applied.

 

having built one and done all the research i can help you here. 1st a 300 is a tough swap. it is too tall and the 240 hits the lid stock. 2nd the 65 and later has a different mount setup as noted and you need to use a 65 and later 240 trans and engine mount to do it (yes you really can do it but don't say i din't warn you). the problem is the early vans/trucks had a different mount setup so you will need to make mounts to bolt the mount onto. i think it is much easier to swap in a 289 or 302 although it requires most of the same parts as the 240/300 swap. mine was a 65 custom cab with a HiPo 289. you can see it at http://www.superford.org/registry/ve...s18=&s19=&s20= (sorry for the long link!). i had to sell mine as there was no room for the kids but it was a super killer ride. hawkrod

 

Hey Tom nice pics brings back memories. There's just something about having around 300hp inches from your buttcheek I just regret not having even 1 picture of mine.

 

There is no way yours was born with a 300. 240? Ok, I'll buy that if it is a '65 or '66. The 300 wasn't an option on these. Ever. The 240s and 300s look identical, though, so it's easy to mistake a 300 for a 240 upon visual check.

 

My bad and I stand corrected. What I know for sure is it had a cracked exhaust manifold and the rear main leaked so bad I had to stop every 100 miles or so and put a couple of quarts in it. Anyway I finally spun a main so out it came and the van became storage for things like the Cleveland out of my Mustang. One day I noticed that the plate behind the flywheel for both engines was identical and the wheels started turning in my head. 6 Months later I was taking it for its maiden run(about midnight, no doghouse yet, working the throttle with my right hand and steering with the left, going sideways with open headers, boy were the neighbors ******). Since then I never have been able to leave well enough alone on anything I drive, makes my wife crazy but oh well. I'm thinking about a blower for her 01 Taurus wagon.

 

Ya'll are too much.. I think I'll keep mine as a stock putt putt. (for now)
Heres some #'s as it looks on the plate by the drivers side door.

Ser
e10sh114779

w.b color trans
090 J A 02

GVW LBS Cert Net HP
3300 74 4000


I towed it into my driveway this saturday. I'm STILL cleaning the crap out from the other owner. Found a wasps nest, got stung, arm is all swollen up, doc says I have cellulitis now, damn.
Looks like the cab floor is rotted out pretty good, ok theres A_LOT of rot but I ain't skeert.. Wife will be happy i'm finally using my fancy blue welder.
Windows are unbroken and all door/window seals are rotted out. Bed is in good shape, roof and doors are too.
Engine is o.k, the tranny: whoa, um the clutch release arm is just flopping around. Anyone have a picture of how this thing is supposed to go together?
When my arm finally goes back to normal size I'll get on cleaning and busting all the damn bondo out of of my neeew- to- me truck,van. Ohh this thing is gonna be sooo COOL..

Is this a truck or a van? Maybe I'll call it Pat. heheh..

Chad

 

Sounds like you've started your restoration hobby in a way that you take full advantage of the learning curve! You need to begin a diary related to that thing. The first entry sounds spectacular.