Engine swap
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Rockville, Ct.
Engine swap
I have a 1972 F250 with a 428. I would like to find out the ins and outs - pros and cons of dropping the 428 and putting in a 300 six.
First, would I need to get a totally different C6 tranny or could I use the same one?
Would the shift linkage be the same? ( It's a column shift )
Is it worth it from fuel economy standpoint?
C6 question: Are all C6's geared the same?
First, would I need to get a totally different C6 tranny or could I use the same one?
Would the shift linkage be the same? ( It's a column shift )
Is it worth it from fuel economy standpoint?
C6 question: Are all C6's geared the same?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Different tranny required due to different bell pattern. A 300 uses the SBF pattern and the FE pattern is FE-specific.
Shift linkage slightly different due to... a different tranny. Btw, all automatics were column shifted unless someone modified it to be on the floor.
Mileage will likely improve with a 300. But power will be the "cost".
Dunno about gearing but I figure C6 gearing differs depending on the application.
Shift linkage slightly different due to... a different tranny. Btw, all automatics were column shifted unless someone modified it to be on the floor.
Mileage will likely improve with a 300. But power will be the "cost".
Dunno about gearing but I figure C6 gearing differs depending on the application.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
C-6 has the same gear ratios as a C-4. 2.46 1st, 1.46 2nd, 1.00:1 3rd.
An AOD and AODE have ratios of 2.40 1st, 1.46 2nd, 1.00:1 3rd, .67:1 4th (overdrive).
4R70W ratios are 2.84 1st, 1.55 2nd, 1.00:1 3rd, .70:1 4th (overdrive).
An AOD and AODE have ratios of 2.40 1st, 1.46 2nd, 1.00:1 3rd, .67:1 4th (overdrive).
4R70W ratios are 2.84 1st, 1.55 2nd, 1.00:1 3rd, .70:1 4th (overdrive).
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Posting Guru
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From: Rockville, Ct.
Thank you HIO Silver.
I had a 65 F100 back in the late 80's that I swapped out a 300 six for a 390. The 390 I bought had a automatic tranny attached which I didn't use because the truck had a NP435. I don't remember ever buying a bell housing for the swap. Could the automatic that came with the 390 have had a removable bell housing that would have mated the engine/ NP435? I know the tranny wasn't a C6.
Just one of those odd questions that bug me. I would have thought I'd remember buying a bell housing.
My memory is of how easy it was to swap as everything lined up from engine to drive shaft. I do remember having to move the motor mounts but that was about it.
Any insights? or am I just senile?
I had a 65 F100 back in the late 80's that I swapped out a 300 six for a 390. The 390 I bought had a automatic tranny attached which I didn't use because the truck had a NP435. I don't remember ever buying a bell housing for the swap. Could the automatic that came with the 390 have had a removable bell housing that would have mated the engine/ NP435? I know the tranny wasn't a C6.
Just one of those odd questions that bug me. I would have thought I'd remember buying a bell housing.
My memory is of how easy it was to swap as everything lined up from engine to drive shaft. I do remember having to move the motor mounts but that was about it.
Any insights? or am I just senile?
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
From: Kalamazoo, MI
I don't believe the C6 has a removable bellhousing. One thing to note with a C6 is that it is a heavy duty trans that robs a lot of power. One behind a 300 I6 might be a bit of a dog. That might negate quite a bit of your fuel economy gains by going to the I6. If fuel economy is your concern, you might want to switch to a C4 or take the plunge on a manual swap with the I6.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Hmmmm, Let's just say your forgetter is kicked in. The C6 is a 1 piece case, so you would have had to get a FE bell.
The 428 is the largest FE built, many here would think long and hard before giving up the big FE bull.
If economy is your main concern I would look at a much newer engine/OD tranny to swap in.
John
The 428 is the largest FE built, many here would think long and hard before giving up the big FE bull.
If economy is your main concern I would look at a much newer engine/OD tranny to swap in.
John
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
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From: Phoenix, Az.
Just out of curiosity, is it really a 428 FE with a C6 or is it a 429 385 series with a C6? Not very often do we hear a 428. But 429/460 been swapped a bunch in the past. Including my own. 2X John. If I had a 428 I wouldn't give it up.
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From: Rockville, Ct.
428
Yeah it's a real 428 FE block. I'm guessing it came out of a Galaxy or another big Ford car. It is dated to 68'. I love having it but I don't like watching the gas gauge move when I start it up! It is a gasoholic.
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Posting Guru
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From: Rockville, Ct.
QUOTE=Lneidlinger;15660450]. If fuel economy is your concern, you might want to switch to a C4 or take the plunge on a manual swap with the I6.[/QUOTE]
What are the pros and cons to a C4?
What are the pros and cons to a C4?
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 38
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From: Kalamazoo, MI
C4 is lighter and doesn't rob nearly as much power as the C6, but is still quite a stout transmission. They came in F100's so it should not much of a trick to drop one in.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
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From: Rockville, Ct.
F250
I have a 1972 F250 with a 428. I would like to find out the ins and outs - pros and cons of dropping the 428 and putting in a 300 six.
First, would I need to get a totally different C6 tranny or could I use the same one?
Would the shift linkage be the same? ( It's a column shift )
Is it worth it from fuel economy standpoint?
C6 question: Are all C6's geared the same?
First, would I need to get a totally different C6 tranny or could I use the same one?
Would the shift linkage be the same? ( It's a column shift )
Is it worth it from fuel economy standpoint?
C6 question: Are all C6's geared the same?
The Rear gears are 3.73 It loves to drive around 40-55 mph. It really starts howling after 65mph. I mean rpm wise. Does that sound right for the tranny/rear combo?
I wish they had an OD tranny I could drop in that was easy on the wallet.
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Posting Guru
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From: Rockville, Ct.
The linkage would change as well?
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
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From: Phoenix, Az.
2X Alex. In the mean time I'd give it a COMPLETE tune up. Pertronix. Hotter coil. And play with the jetting in the carb. Bumps weren't meant for any gas mileage. "All you can do is all you can do".
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
C6: The converter housing is made as part of the transmission case. Bell housings only used with M/T's.
C4's were not installed with FE engines in any car or truck.
C4: 1965/74 F100/250 240/300 I-6 / 1965/72 F350 240 I-6 / 1969/79 F100 302 / 1975/79 F100/250 300 I-6 / 1975/79 F150 300 I-6 & 302.
C6 optional in 1978/79 F100/250 300 I-6/302.
Personally, I don't see any advantage swapping a 428 for a 300 to improve MPG
These trucks have the aerodynamics of a brick, 105 octane gas was about 35 cents a gallon back then and no one gave a hoot about MPG
C4's were not installed with FE engines in any car or truck.
C4: 1965/74 F100/250 240/300 I-6 / 1965/72 F350 240 I-6 / 1969/79 F100 302 / 1975/79 F100/250 300 I-6 / 1975/79 F150 300 I-6 & 302.
C6 optional in 1978/79 F100/250 300 I-6/302.
Personally, I don't see any advantage swapping a 428 for a 300 to improve MPG
These trucks have the aerodynamics of a brick, 105 octane gas was about 35 cents a gallon back then and no one gave a hoot about MPG