Engine choice
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Engine choice
I have a 48 ford COE and thinking of what engine to put in it. I will use it just to run to the store and car shows sometimes. It will be a pickup not a car hauler. So I like to know what your thoughts are for ford engines?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Clitherall, MN.
I'd drop a 351 or 390 maybe in that bad boy. Give it a little giddyup and not be too bad on mpg's. It's your truck though so put whatever in there that works for you. Not suggesting but you could go to the (eew) darkside too.
:-wink
:-wink
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Joined: Apr 2016
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I don't have a COE, but can I tell you my F1 is going to get a 393w. Take a .030 bore 351w, buy the crankshaft from summit racing for $399, use stock 351w rods, and 302 pistons. It's light, makes torque out the wazoo, and parts are inexpensive and readily available. 
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2008
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I have an F600, put a lot of thought into this question myself.
I decided on a 460 with a ZF5 transmission.
Diesel isn't the best for quick short trips and the maintenance and initial costs only really pay for themselves if you do a lot of hauling. While a smaller gas motor might get better MPG in a smaller truck, a larger truck will work a bigger engine less than a smaller one, so you might as well have the power since you're stuck with the MPG. You can find ones built up a bit fairly inexpensive. Parts are cheap and plentiful. Just note that not all are equally as good and you can get one built up for only a little more than something factory.
The ZF5 has a granny gear as well as an overdrive.
5.4 Triton is a good choice as well, but it's more of a smaller truck engine, not a COE. Might be happy in the COE if you're not going to use it hard but they will be more expensive and more work to put in. Plus computers. A lot of money and work for a couple more MPGs over a 460 without the power of a 460.
I decided on a 460 with a ZF5 transmission.
Diesel isn't the best for quick short trips and the maintenance and initial costs only really pay for themselves if you do a lot of hauling. While a smaller gas motor might get better MPG in a smaller truck, a larger truck will work a bigger engine less than a smaller one, so you might as well have the power since you're stuck with the MPG. You can find ones built up a bit fairly inexpensive. Parts are cheap and plentiful. Just note that not all are equally as good and you can get one built up for only a little more than something factory.
The ZF5 has a granny gear as well as an overdrive.
5.4 Triton is a good choice as well, but it's more of a smaller truck engine, not a COE. Might be happy in the COE if you're not going to use it hard but they will be more expensive and more work to put in. Plus computers. A lot of money and work for a couple more MPGs over a 460 without the power of a 460.
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Thanks for the input I was looking at a 351w or a 7.3 diesel did not even thinking about the big blocks. I don't think I will go with a diesel because I was thinking the same as stephen67 the short trips and maintenance.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marysville, WA
I am putting a 5.4L DOHC lincoln navigator engine in my 55 F250. I hope to put a 4.6 in a 48 frame with all CV parts one day. If I had a truck like yours I would go with a truck 5.4L or 6.2L they are plenty big enough even if you are going to tow. Anything you put in there will have way more power and torque than the original.
If you are not into the new Modular motors from Ford then a 351 is certainly a great choice too!
If you are not into the new Modular motors from Ford then a 351 is certainly a great choice too!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Maryland
My 54 Coe has the 460 but I am going with 351m in my 48 and 51 Coes. I looked for a 7.3 diesel for one but give up because of the demand for them near me.Good luck with the build and show some pics.
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Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: northwest MT
Will the engine be up front in the stock location or behind the cab? Or?
Stock COE chassis or something else? Lowered or modified?
All of these things will dictate what will physically fit and how hard it will be to install.
Stock COE chassis or something else? Lowered or modified?
All of these things will dictate what will physically fit and how hard it will be to install.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,350
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From: Maryland
3 Coes and 2 F1's
None for sale. What better way to motivate my 2 sons than to buy each a Coe. Of course my jealous wife wanted a smaller one so i got her an F1. When i wanted to buy another i asked her if she was going to learn to drive a stick and she said no so i told her i had better buy this one for an automatic. She thinks im such a nice husband.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Clitherall, MN.
My 98 5.4 has 278,xxx miles on it. still going strong but I don't think that I would want to swap one into an old truck. Above my skill level I think. Seems Allen T might have a good combo there.
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My plan is to put on a different chassis and the engine in the front stock location and put air bags on it down the line. The chassis is still up in the air
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,580
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From: in a barn
While I cant contribute to the engine discussion I will say that after seeing the COE builds here if I can find one to build I will be putting the engine behind the cab. Some of the foot wells look so tight I cant see how a BB would leave enough room for pedals!
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