I do love my 223 and will run her until she go no moe...but I have decided that I am going to swap in a stoker 302 in time. In no rush as I will be getting parts slowly, I am rebuilding front end first, and my 223 still runs good besides a new oil leak monthly. I have some questions for yous guys

1-will stock radiator work? best AM replacement if not?
2-reputable motor mount manufacturers? will oil pan clear stock straight axle?
3-will I need special headers?
4-C4 or C6? I do not know much about ford trannys-could someone explain difference between the 2? I would like more friendly highway speeds if possible?
5-will drive line need to be shortened?
6-will I need new rear end gears?
anything I am missing?

Thanks in advance guys...I can see Spur throwing his shoe at me already, but I have plans for the 223 that you will appreciate sir.

 

Here's what I can answer (IMHO)...

1-will stock radiator work? Probably not.
1b-best AM replacement if not?

1st choice would be:
US Radiator Corporation
4423 District Boulevard
Vernon, CA 323-826-0965

They have been around for 40+ years, the guy who currently owns it started as an employee 20+ years ago....they will build whatever you need, quality is excellent and I don't know of anyone I ever sent down there who wasn't pleased.

2nd choice....

Radiator Express
Radiator - Auto Radiators, Car Radiators @ Radiator Express Online
Irvine, CA
866-723-3977

US Rad. predominantly is focused on the 70's & back (IIRR) vehicles.....when I recently needed a new radiator for my wife's 1997 cougar sport, I called them and this is who they recommended....I was incredibly surprised...although the radiator was made in mexico, it was a Modine and the oem spec and quality was excellent.

3-will I need special headers?
If you go with shorties, I would swag a 90% that no mods are needed.

4-C4 or C6? I do not know much about ford trannys-could someone explain difference between the 2?

Here's the gear ratio specs for Ford Tranny's:
Ford:
C-4.....................2.46 1.46 1.00
C-6.....................2.46 1.46 1.00
AOD....................2.40 1.47 1.00 .67
AOD Wide.............2.84 1.55 1.00 .67
AODE/4R70W........2.84 1.55 1.00 .70

and

Automatic Transmission Information- Car Craft Magazine (old publication).
Horsepower loss
Powerglide_____18 hp
TH-350________36 hp
TH-400________44 hp
Ford_C-6______55-60 hp
Ford_C-4______28 hp
Ford_FMX______25 hp
Chrysler_A904__25 hp
Chrysler_727___45 hp

The C6 is literally the equivalent to the GM Turbo 400 and the C4 was equivalent to the GM Turbo 350

Because the C6 was built more for "truck purposes", it has stronger internals, but the C4 is a plenty good tranny as long as you are not using the truck as a "truck".

5-will drive line need to be shortened? Yes.


anything I am missing?

 

Hey Maltman, if you ever make it up to Sac come on by and take a look/drive my 57. I did an Explorer 302 + 4R70w swap and LOVE IT!! Last tank I averaged 16mpg combined. You'll have no concerns with the stock 3.70 gears.

 

sounds great, will do if/when I make it up there. what did you do for motor mounts?

 

I made my own attached to the CV front end. If you're sticking with the solid front axle though, you can buy a lower cross member or frame mounts from any of the F100 parts places.

 

thank you sir

Joe

 

I did a 302/C6 swap out on my '59. I should say I hired a mechanic to do it for me. He made his motor mounts in his shop, attached at the sides to the frame instead of in front like the Y-block. He had to shorten the drive shaft. Used a new all aluminum radiator that he bought here locally through a dealer for around $225. There wasn't enough room between the radiator and the motor to use the stock fan. The fan was going to hit the radiator hose, no way to avoid it - so we decided to go with an electric fan mounted on back of the radiator. Transmission cooler is mounted on the front of the radiator.

The set up is great. I'm getting 17 mpg on the highway and 12-13 in town. The truck has plenty of power and cruising at 70 mph is no problem at all.

 

right on, thanks for the info-can you send pictures in motor installed?

Am I correct that there are 2 different types of C6 transmissions? one for truck applications and one for cars?

 

There are probably other differences but the car has the slip yoke into the tail housing and the truck C6 uses a yoke that bolts in and has the slip yoke in the drive shaft.

 

Here is a pic of my installed 302 to a CV subframe. If you're keeping the stock front end use a universal K member or split mount that'll bolt to the frame.