I’ve been scouring the Internet trying to find someone who shoved a 385 series into an early Econoline and haven’t been able to find any info anywhere. My question is has it been done? Either way I’m shoving a 429 into this poor little van but would like to see pics of one done if it does exist.

Initially I was going to do a 351W, then decided to do a 351C, then I ended up buying 10 early 429s and 460s and started measuring stuff. Well there’s no replacement for displacement and I want something absolutely ridiculous to put my shop name on so it’s happening.

 

Good luck with that. I'm sure it has been done, but I am not familiar. For sure, it will require a new front end ad the Ford nine inch to support everything in front of it.

I guess this is one way. https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/hi-po...0H-beam%20rods.

 

Are you thinking engine between the seats or in the rear? I've seen it both ways.

What year Econoline? The frames were thin in the early years from 1961-1962. You probably need to beef up the frame for a 1965-1967 Econoline.

Best would be to create a custom frame and drop the body on that. Not easy since the Econolines were a unibody construction.

 

Wouldn't you get same power with less weight with a built 302?