Restoring a 1966 long bed and want to put a new crate engine/transmission (automatic) package in it. It came stock with a 352 and I know some of these trucks used a 390. Obviously, there are a host of engines to choose from, but I'm curious what you guys would put in it (looking at 10K or less for the whole setup).

Thanks

 

I would like a 351W with a AOD.

The 351 would have a B303 roller, and maybe F150 fuel injection for torque. Then I would use a decent built AOD with a nice 2500 stall converter.

Or a 390FE with dual quads or dual tbi units, and back it by a 4L80 from GM.

 

What do you want the truck to do when you're finished with it? Will it just be a cruiser or will you expect it to work some? How important is fuel economy? Do you want it to be completely non-tempermental (as an SEFI engine would be)? How much power/torque do you want it to make? In my humble opinion, these questions should be answered to give an informed opinion. And even then, you may or may not be satisfied with the end product. It's a gamble. 37 Ford Guy just put an ex-Mustang 5.0 (the old one, not the Coyote) SEFI / AOD in his truck and he seems pretty happy with it. Give us your parameters and then people who have recently built that type of engine may chime in.

 

If I had 10k to spend on a engine and trans for my '66 it would no doubt be a EFI engine with a overdrive transmission.

I own 6 or 7 FE engines right now and have always been a huge FE fan but in todays market I would do a EFI (actually doing that now)

I will most likely always have a old carb'd engine truck to drive but one for longer trips etc EFI is the way to go.

I have a FE 416 ( .030 over 390 with a 428 Crank) your choice of heads, along with a C-6 Trans if you were interested for much less than 10k.

So it really depends on exactly what you are looking for. No way I would spend 10k (again, lol) on a carb'd gas guzzler.

For 7k you can buy a crate 5.0 Coyote, add in a manual 5 or 6 speed or a automatic with O.D.

What are you looking to do with truck? How much HP do you want and what kind of MPG?

Looks like supersabre posted as I was typing but will leave my answer be . . Very similar answer .

Welcome to FTE!

Another thought again depending on what you want for HP and MPG is a late model low mile engine and trans combo for a fraction of what a decent rebuild~modded FE or 385 Series engine would cost

For instance~I bought a very low mile complete EcoBoost truck for 3250.00 that will give me a bunch of parts I can use in the retrofit. Complete drive line, complete cooling system, HVAC, suspension and steering, HUGE 14" brakes, Interior, dash, wiring, gauges, seats and on and on

 

My daughter who just turned 16 a week ago wants one of my '66 trucks upgraded so she can drive it and get decent mileage (unlike big sis FE 13mpg truck)

I have thought about buying a wrecked Mustang or 4x2 truck with a 3.7L 6 cyl along with auto trans. 300+ HP stock and the mileage would be great and run forever. Not to mention I can buy engine and trans along with all electronics and probably adapt the front suspension to it for under 5k . . .

Lets see some pics of truck ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !

 

Do you have a recycler near you?

A place here in Georgia advertises low mileage 5.0's out of Explorers, you can buy a long block or the whole kit and kaboodle complete with the tranny if you want it.

 

390 & 360 introduced in F100/350 in 1968.

 

I have a 352 that could be rebuilt and a c-o-m from a 66 if you are interested.

 

Good questions. Our truck currently has a 302 with a 4-speed trans (1st in granny gear) and was used to haul wood on a trailer. We now want to restore it and make it a daily driver with some pep out of the gate. Its working days are over

Starting to think about a 351W (bored to 427) and matched up to a tremec 5 or 6 speed. This has been my favorite package for a long time (plan to put it in a 67 mustang...one day) - why not put it in our truck? Thoughts?

 

Sounds like that combination could be a lot of fun, would make a great daily driver to the gas station. LOL. I can't keep my foot out of the throttle. If you want a dependable daily driver consider buying a modern vehicle as a donor and use the computer controlled fuel injcetion and overdrive. It is a little more work than a straight engine swap. I am swapping in a 4V 4.6L with a mustang wiring harness, computer, and 5 speed manual trans

Mat

 

You should ignore this post but I would stuff a Cummins under the hood.

 

A cummins baked by a 5 speed would definitely yeild a good economical daily driver
Matt

 

I am not a fan of the small blocks but we all have an opinion on that one.

How much power are you looking to make and is MPG a concern?

Whats the main use of truck going to be and how many miles per year?
How nice is the rest of truck going to be?

I have probably had 50 Big Blocks for each small block owned.

 

I'm glad you brought up the big block point...I've also considered a 460. What are the pros and cons of the 351W/427 versus the 460? Thanks again.

 

The pros for the 460 are cost.

The pro's for the 427W is weight, and size.

I would build a 460 with aluminum parts before I go with the such a big small block. The 460 will last forever by comparison because it was designed to be that big, and extra large small blocks have fairly short lives. The pistons are to short which can wear the bores, they have a tendency to tick or slap a lot, and there is no mpg benefit in the end.

Plus the 460 you can build in stages if you need to. Plus a cammed 460 with Dove C or DV3 heads can belt out 425 hp/500 lb ft with a detailed build, and no fancy parts. Depending on the depth of your wallet, and tolerance for grumpy motors. I hear 550hp is about where they get a bit to rough even for cruising.