Engine swap ideas
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 45
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From: Salmon, Idaho
Engine swap ideas
I have 69-F250, with the F350 springs under it. The original engine is a 360, backed by the C6. My dad bought it new, and I'm the second owner. Basically it hasn't been worked on by anyone beside the two of us, and is basically a well worn original truck.
I'm getting ready to do a restification on it, and am considering an engine swap. I haven't kept up with the newer engines/transmissions and am wondering what combination it would make sense to put in it. I would prefer to stay with a Ford power train. But I'm considering a pre-97 Dodge/Cummins 12-valve as a potential option.
So, any ideas? Kits available, or good magazine articles?
I'm getting ready to do a restification on it, and am considering an engine swap. I haven't kept up with the newer engines/transmissions and am wondering what combination it would make sense to put in it. I would prefer to stay with a Ford power train. But I'm considering a pre-97 Dodge/Cummins 12-valve as a potential option.
So, any ideas? Kits available, or good magazine articles?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Cummins swap would easily be the most powerful and efficient engine. But probably the most difficult swap. But it's been done before.
If you have a FE motor. The easiest swap would be to a 390 or a 428. But those are still "old tech"
If you want newer efi style engines, look at a 5.8 or 460 from a early-mid 90s f250
If you have a FE motor. The easiest swap would be to a 390 or a 428. But those are still "old tech"
If you want newer efi style engines, look at a 5.8 or 460 from a early-mid 90s f250
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
JnF, What is wrong with 40 years of what brung ya here. Pull the engine tranny, rebuild them both, maybe stroke the FE up to a 390. 410, or bore it out to 428. You will have something that will pull and be good for another 40. That will give you the most for the least. 
John
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,685
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From: Oregon
Cummins for sure if you go diesel.
What is your budget, and what are your plans for the truck? If you're not going to drive it much once the restoration has been completed you could probably freshen what you have, if it will be a daily driver I think the cummins is a great option. Gas cant do what diesel does for power and mpg.
Depending on your budget, you can get a crate coyote 5.0 for about 6k as a gas option to stay ford powertrain. Of course you will need auxiliaries to go with it.
Ford Racing Coyote 5.0 4V 412HP Mustang Crate Engine M-6007-M50 - Free Shipping
What is your budget, and what are your plans for the truck? If you're not going to drive it much once the restoration has been completed you could probably freshen what you have, if it will be a daily driver I think the cummins is a great option. Gas cant do what diesel does for power and mpg.
Depending on your budget, you can get a crate coyote 5.0 for about 6k as a gas option to stay ford powertrain. Of course you will need auxiliaries to go with it.
Ford Racing Coyote 5.0 4V 412HP Mustang Crate Engine M-6007-M50 - Free Shipping
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
JnF, What is wrong with 40 years of what brung ya here. Pull the engine tranny, rebuild them both, maybe stroke the FE up to a 390. 410, or bore it out to 428. You will have something that will pull and be good for another 40. That will give you the most for the least.
John
John
1. The truck's staying Dad's/yours and so would the block and tranny.
2. You already own them.
3. Tell me 410,427,428 aren't "cool" numbers.
4. Holley makes fuel injection for 'em. It's not done yet but this is mentioned in HioSilver's build. Read that.
5. Eddy makes some good pieces for a FE motor.
6. No modifications necessary to slow you down. 'course you do lose the Fun Factor here.
7. You can stick the money saved in to a Gear Vendor's O/D.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 137
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I am doing a 460/ZF5/NP205 swap. Cheap power. If I had the funds, I would do the Cummings swap.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
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From: Vancouver
I love the Cummins - although I think the 4BT is the better choice for our trucks - but you can add 100 cubic inches to your FE for much less money than a Cummins swap, and still have a few bucks left over for gas.
Eric
Eric
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
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From: Over There
I have 69-F250, with the F350 springs under it. The original engine is a 360, backed by the C6. My dad bought it new, and I'm the second owner. Basically it hasn't been worked on by anyone beside the two of us, and is basically a well worn original truck.
I'm getting ready to do a restification on it, and am considering an engine swap. I haven't kept up with the newer engines/transmissions and am wondering what combination it would make sense to put in it. I would prefer to stay with a Ford power train. But I'm considering a pre-97 Dodge/Cummins 12-valve as a potential option.
So, any ideas? Kits available, or good magazine articles?
I'm getting ready to do a restification on it, and am considering an engine swap. I haven't kept up with the newer engines/transmissions and am wondering what combination it would make sense to put in it. I would prefer to stay with a Ford power train. But I'm considering a pre-97 Dodge/Cummins 12-valve as a potential option.
So, any ideas? Kits available, or good magazine articles?
Personally a truck with that much family history I wouldn't do anything but up keep/restoration and minor improvements that made it more drivable/useable.
If you really want to convert it to diesel then I very much disagree with everyone in this thread including you. Much easier and more authentic to stay ford and the IDI platform is a clear choice. A simple old school diesel like the 6BT Cummins but in a much more, cost effective, drivable, convertible, stock ford, and v8 version. Came stock with a tough overdrive manual or automatic. They are harder to make huge power with(over 1000ft/lbs) but the power that is made is much more usable.
I'm sure there are better examples out there but I just stumbled on this one.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-pictures.html
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,685
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From: Oregon
How does a idi have more usable power than a cummins? At their highest factory output the idi made 388lbs tq with a turbo, the cummins started with 400lbs and was available up to 440.
idi with turbo - 190hp@3000rpm/388tq@1400rpm
cummins - 215@2500/440@1600
Not meant as an argumentative post just curious is all?
idi with turbo - 190hp@3000rpm/388tq@1400rpm
cummins - 215@2500/440@1600
Not meant as an argumentative post just curious is all?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
How does a idi have more usable power than a cummins? At their highest factory output the idi made 388lbs tq with a turbo, the cummins started with 400lbs and was available up to 440.
idi with turbo - 190hp@3000rpm/388tq@1400rpm
cummins - 215@2500/440@1600
Not meant as an argumentative post just curious is all?
idi with turbo - 190hp@3000rpm/388tq@1400rpm
cummins - 215@2500/440@1600
Not meant as an argumentative post just curious is all?
Yes the stock IDI is a dog compared to the Cummins but the platform is solid and the aftermarket is there to rather easily make good power. Yes with a huge budget and max power goals you're better off with a Cummins, they are stronger and a P-pump will put out massive fuel. To be "cool" spending a lot of money to spin tires or do tug a wars on youtube while blowing tons of smoke please use a Cummins. But in an older SRW Ford for actual driving for moderate or low money the IDI is better way to go.
It's like the difference between putting a 351 or 426 Hemi in a 65 mustang.
EDIT
Actually the proof is right there in your post, look at the RPM ranges between peak TQ and HP. The Cummins is 1600 and 2500, only a 900 RPM range. While the IDI is 1400 and 3000, a 1600 RPM range. It's area under the curve that really matters, not the peak of the curve.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 408
Likes: 2
From: Northern California, USA
I have a somewhat similar problem, a 68 f250 4x4 with a 360 and a 4 speed (borg warner t18?) transmission. I was looking for engine options. two that came up are a dart aluminum smallblock 427 and a LSx. I imagine the dart would be less trouble-- perhaps it would just be able to use stock I-6 mounts(?); however, is there a way to adapt it to the 4 speed transmission or must I get a new transmission and if so, which , and how much additional trouble would it be to install?
To the OP, if I may (off topic), how much trouble was it to swap 350 for 250 springs?
To the OP, if I may (off topic), how much trouble was it to swap 350 for 250 springs?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
I have a somewhat similar problem, a 68 f250 4x4 with a 360 and a 4 speed (borg warner t18?) transmission. I was looking for engine options. two that came up are a dart aluminum smallblock 427 and a LSx. I imagine the dart would be less trouble-- perhaps it would just be able to use stock I-6 mounts(?); however, is there a way to adapt it to the 4 speed transmission or must I get a new transmission and if so, which , and how much additional trouble would it be to install?
To the OP, if I may (off topic), how much trouble was it to swap 350 for 250 springs?
To the OP, if I may (off topic), how much trouble was it to swap 350 for 250 springs?