Hey guys, I've got an interesting idea and would much appreciate your advice. Engine is a 300 6, 1986 feedback carb

Im in the planning stages of a DS2 conversion. The PO bubba'd the hell out of the electrical connections so starting fresh is my approach. I'm planning on swapping out the exhaust manifolds to the EFI version as well.

My oil pan is leaking like a shanked prisoner, which has also led to my inspiration...

Most of the work I need to do will be much easier if the engine was outside of the truck, it just so happens that I have found a 300 pulled from a 78 on Craigslist for $200.

The cost for a replacement carb, distributor and module on my 86 is around $300, but all of that stuff is already on the engine. I could rebuild the carb and slap the EFI exhaust on it, while also applying an EFI oil pan and gasket. Might as well do the water pump as well.

Ive got a fresh clutch on the 86 flywheel which should just swap over.

I need a spare 300 for a project anyway, which the 86 300 can be used..Gonna need an 11" clutch for the future project so it seems that everything is falling into place.

Is my idea of an engine swap misguided? Should I just leave the 86 in and do a conversion? I'll have to get an engine stand and rent a hoist. What's the best method for swapping an engine?

 

If you have the ability and don't mind the work, pulling the engine may be the way to go. Unless you are positive on the history of the other engine, I think I would pull it apart and see what it's like inside. You will probably find a full gasket set is just as cheap or cheaper than going to the local store and buying all the gaskets separate. So then you would have a head gasket and could pull the heads and see what the cylinders look like also.

 

I'm beginning to think that it would be the best option if I can get the engine. It has 77k on it and belongs to some older country folk who, judging by their answering machine, seemed to be great people Waiting for a call back currently. I can provide a link if that is allowed on this site.

Still planning ahead, but if I can't get the engine, would it still be a good idea to take mine out and do the work needed? Right now I need to swap oil pans for EFI model, which has a better 1 piece gasket setup, change at least 1 messed up motor mount, change the distributor and remove the exhaust system, which I was planning to cut (pipe coming from exhaust manifold) out at this point, because I'm sure those bolts won't want to come out. I also need to get a firewall flex repair plate, not sure if that'll be easier with an empty engine bay or not.

Gonna stick with the stock intake manifold and run a carter YF type carb because my intent is to have a simple daily driver, and freeing up the exhaust should be plenty for a half ton. It's also my learning truck. I've done a complete clutch overhaul so far and had the water pump and some other smaller items fixed.

Future project is to put a carbed 300 into a 250 - offenhauser intake and a 2 barrel carb , then upgrade the front end to a solid dana 60. 4x4 350s are so difficult to find in ohio for a reasonable price. Most have been worked/salted to death.

 

You don't need to buy a new oil pan, just grind the old one flat.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...er-gasket.html

Jim

 

That's true, Jim, forgot about that. I just don't want to screw it up and have to do it again lol. Dremel is preferred I assume?

 

Here's a pic of the old beast

Originally from Montana, currently in Ohio... not too bad for a cold weather truck

 

I just used a hand held grinder, as that is what I have.

Also, when you buy the engine, the DS2 IGN module is mounted on the left inner fender.
Be sure you as for it, as it is not mounted on the engine.

Jim

 

I don't think you have thought through the dana 60 frontend swap into the f150. It would be a lot of work and not a bolt in. The rearend would need to be changed too of course. Your easiest course of action to do all that is find a f350 frame and put your body on it.

 

Sorry I wasn't particularly clear. I'll be doing all of that to an f250 in the future. I want to find a reasonably clean f250 with a busted small block motor and zf5 speed. I would then swap out the motor for a straight 6. Then I would replace the TTB DANA 50 w/ a 60. The goal is to find a rare crew cab f250 (96-97), but most likely I'll go for a single cab long box. I want a zf5 so I'll have to stick to 90s trucks.

If I have to I'll just get a 2wd f250 and convert it to 4wd, although there are a quite a few 4x4 f250s of that vintage in Ohio.

I don't know how most people feel about a 300 in a one ton, but with a good intake/exhaust and a 2 barrel carb, it should do most anything I need it for. The heaviest load might be ~ 8000 lbs occasionally, not many hills. The biggest reason I want a 250 is for a slide in camper/build a camper on a 6.5x8.5 flatbed which should weigh less than 2k lbs. My 86 f150 is just going to be a daily driver so I can get rid of my rusted to death 96.

Thats why why having an extra engine lying around would benefit me.

 

Good call, that might have to be a junkyard find.