Does it have to be a automatic trans?

 

 

 

You're gonna have to lose the 300 six.

Hard to say how much time, effort and money you will have to sink into it without a somewhat firm plan, but I would say go 351W. Transmission can be an AOD, or you could bolt up to the C6 that you have. Manual can be a lot of fun, but figure on adding a clutch linkage which becomes somewhat of a PITA. If you go manual, don't agonize about finding a ZF. M5OD is reasonably strong and a lot more fun to drive. Whatever you do, keep in mind the balance of the 351W is 28 in/oz as opposed to neutral for the 300 six or 50 in/oz for the later 302's.

I'm a big fan of EFI, but your truck is carbureted and you can smoke the tires easily with a carbed 351W. Same electronics for EFI can run a more advanced OD transmission like a 4R70W or E4OD, but the PITA factor grows exponentially. I ran a 351W with an Edelbrock Performer/1406 combined with Hooker long tube headers and I liked it. Would have been much stronger with a cam change.

Your 3.55 gears should work fine as long as you don't go overboard on tires. Smoking 235/75 15's should be no problem.

 

He has a 4x4 so what ever trany he goes with will have to have a transfer case bolted to it.
I say stay with the C6
Dave - - - -

 

Dr. Fever,

You and I have worked together before, so you know I fully believe in the six cylinder and prefer it, but for what you and your family want, I recommend you sell your truck and find a V8 powered replacement. I believe you will be dollars ahead!

David

 

If you want to stay with a automatic, and not have a computer, the only alternative you have is the AOD. You would need to get a AOD that has been beefed a little bit if you want to do burnouts. Ford never put one in stock form behind a 351w in a truck, but they can be built up to handle it.

 

This got me to remember those old articles in Car Craft where they took an old beater and added nitrous, turning it up more and more until the predicted result

 

Great input so far, thanks everyone!
Oh, believe me, I know that! I knew this was a money pit from the day I first laid eyes on it, but this truck is family now, and we're sticking with it through thick and thin.
On a related note, what does everone thing of the Clifford's 6=8 preformance products? If I rebuilt this motor would using the $900 6=8 Rebuild Kit or the FORD 240/300 TWIN WEBER SYSTEM W/6=8 HEADERS get em anywhere close? The twin Weber setup promises "FORD 240/300 Twin Fuel Delivery System. Performance gains are 120% Torque & 120 Horse Power. Want better mpg? This kit is getting an average 10 mpg better than stock." Anyone have any experience with that?

 

Clifford exaggerates their numbers. 2wd and stock tires with a good amount of rear gear is a huge start. These parts will likely do it. Building the 300 to make power takes money.

Pistons (the stock 300 pistons aren't that strong)
4 barrel and intake
complete larger exhaust
Efi exhaust manifolds or headers
Comp 268 cam kit, screw in studs, rockers.
Mild port work
1024 head gasket
tuned up duraspark 2 ignition

Plus the parts and maching to rebuild it while you're in there like bearing and rings and bore over. You can slap the parts on it and it'll go but for how long without new pistons, head gasket and some basic machining is the question.

I drove one a few times with basically that list, 2wd, manual trans and 3.08 gears. Spun the tires easily off the line.

 

 

Don't forget to also ask here:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum52/

 

Completely forgot about that section. Will post there, thanks!!

 

Seen some sweet 300's with turbos making serious power, just like the cummins only quiet!