big block engine vans
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 3
From: gravel road ONTARIO
putting a bigblock into my 86 e150 shorty, and tinkering with the idea of a 5spd manual. C6 would be easy but ........... it has a 9" rear so I will probably go with 3.00 ratio trac loc .
a highway cruiser that won't like cars passing it...........
a highway cruiser that won't like cars passing it...........
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Spring Hill
You'll like the 3.00. Mine's a 56 panel truck. Had the 2.75 gear s for the power tour and loved them for hwy cruising at 75-80 mph. I put the 3.50 trac loc back in. Much quicker, but hwy speed is kept 60-65 now😞
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
86 E-350 Ambulance w/460 big block. Carbed. C6 tranny. Dually. I don't have any info on the axles, Tags are ripped off.
Shoving the bick block in that tiny engine bay was not one of fords better ideas.
nearly impossible to work on.
You know you have a van when you have to take the tires off to change sparkplugs.
Shoving the bick block in that tiny engine bay was not one of fords better ideas.
nearly impossible to work on.
You know you have a van when you have to take the tires off to change sparkplugs.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
Likes: 1,657
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Not sure if the pre-'92's are similar to that model year but removing one or both front seats including bases gives a huge amount of room for working at the back of the engine.
I kid---but not too much---I remove front seats to change radio presets!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Or remove rear spare to change shocks!
Not sure if the pre-'92's are similar to that model year but removing one or both front seats including bases gives a huge amount of room for working at the back of the engine.
I kid---but not too much---I remove front seats to change radio presets!
Not sure if the pre-'92's are similar to that model year but removing one or both front seats including bases gives a huge amount of room for working at the back of the engine.
I kid---but not too much---I remove front seats to change radio presets!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 3
From: gravel road ONTARIO
stuff a 7.3 into one and them and try and work on it............
did headgaskets on 7.3s in these when they were still under warranty, had to tie headbolts and pushrods into a raised position to allow removal from engine bay. that was a muscle builder! only had about 1/2" clearance from the new head gasket when putting the heads back on.
a lot of knuckle skin left behind back then
did headgaskets on 7.3s in these when they were still under warranty, had to tie headbolts and pushrods into a raised position to allow removal from engine bay. that was a muscle builder! only had about 1/2" clearance from the new head gasket when putting the heads back on.
a lot of knuckle skin left behind back then
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
Likes: 1,657
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
With the V10 gasser and most diesel engines the practice is lifting the entire body.
Given the relative ease of that over dismantling the entire front end sheet metal, doing a Houdini act wrestling the block complete with heads and exhaust manifolds I'd give it a try.
IIRC labor rate for pulling the engine is about 16-20 hours---with the right set up I'd say a strong 5 hours to raise the body and remove the engine.
Given the relative ease of that over dismantling the entire front end sheet metal, doing a Houdini act wrestling the block complete with heads and exhaust manifolds I'd give it a try.
IIRC labor rate for pulling the engine is about 16-20 hours---with the right set up I'd say a strong 5 hours to raise the body and remove the engine.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Kountze, Texas
I just pulled out a 460 from my bus to install a 5.9 Cummins diesel. I think the diesel is going to be easier to work around than the big block but not by much. I just hope I don't regret it. Nothing wrong with the 460 but the 8mpg.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
Likes: 1,657
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
You should document your swap---more than a few here might be very interested in the project---I know I would just out of curiosity.
BTW how's the bus working as a hauler these days?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 458
Likes: 1
Like Areoseek, I have an '88 E350 ambulance, 460/C-6/Dana70, and fully agree that the 460 is physically just too big for the space. The 400M, with its tall decks, is probably too much as well. IMHO, a good alternative to the 460, if someone is up for building a new engine for one of these old vans, is a 351W with a stroker crank yielding 383 cu. in.. The 351W still doesn't give a lot of room for plug changing, but it's manageable. With some practical hopping-up for good low-to-midrange street torque, a 383 stroker should make enough power for most uses.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,298
Likes: 47
From: South central, Minnesota
I had a 79 E350 ambulance with a 460. That was a nightmare to work on.
That's why my current E350 is getting one of these. Nothing but room, nice and easy to work on.
This picture is not my van. It belongs to another forum member.
That's why my current E350 is getting one of these. Nothing but room, nice and easy to work on.
This picture is not my van. It belongs to another forum member.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 458
Likes: 1
I see there's now a big variety of stroke options for the 351W
Ford Engine Kit - Ford 351 Stroker Kit, 351 Windsor, 383, 393, 408, 418, 427, 454, Stroker
Ford Engine Kit - Ford 351 Stroker Kit, 351 Windsor, 383, 393, 408, 418, 427, 454, Stroker
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,298
Likes: 47
From: South central, Minnesota
If you would prefer the engine be between the seats then get a 60's Falcon/Econoline van.A tilt cab van would be one hell of a site.