So my dad recently passed down my grandfather’s 66 f100 swb flareside to me. It’s been a long time coming and I’m super excited to begin the restoration. For years I’ve dreamt of the day I can finally start and I’ve caught myself in a bit of a toss up.

The truck has ran off and on for the last 20 some odd yrs. but like with any old truck wear and tear is bound to set in. We got work done few yrs back but the guy overheated the frame so I’ve started collecting parts and I’m down to bare bones frame and cab. I’ll be slowly transferring everything to the new frame. Now where I battle myself is deciding what engine I want to go with. My over all plan is for show not a daily driver and I want other peoples opinion.

Should I go with a fully rebuild 351 or with a 5.0 coyote swap. I know it’s all preference and both have there benefits. I just don’t know what I want. The aggressiveness and sound of a great 351 takes me back to being a kid and hearing my dad and grandfather a few blocks away. But I look at the longevity and ability and reliability to go and drive to a show in another state with a 5.0 also is nice.

I don’t care to much for speed so hp is not a deciding factor for me. I’m more into the cruise just enjoying the time and having back to its glory days where my dad can take it out when he comes to visit.

Any suggestions pros cons whatever to help me decide would be greatly appreciated.

 

It's obviously not going to be stock so if you are only after show, then the cheapest 289-302-351W you can find with all the fancy dressup items. they are all pretty much the same engine. If it were mine I'd go with a mild 351W just for the extra cheap pep.

 

Welcome to FTE!
You certainly have a clean slate there. I personally would go with a pushrod engine. Just because you don't have 200 miles of wire and computers to hook up. Plus it's pretty much get the right engine perches and bolt it in. But Ron Francis does make harnesses for coyote swaps.

 

Simplicity is best, at least for me. I prefer to have the Windsor option. Good cheap power without all the electronics, wiring and Tupperware.

 

Man that thing is sexy!! I have a 62 unibody with a stock 70's stock 460 in it. I have had a 70's 302 in the same truck and extra cubic inches and torque you get from them is nice. I would definitely go with at least a 351w

 

What are your concerns with reliability of the 351? You can definitely make it simpler than the coyote. And if you want insurance for out of state it won't cost a ton to have a complete back up fuel (carb and fuel pump) and ignition system (dizzy and coil) in a box.

If you want, you can install a efi system or port injection on the 351 though that adds a little more complexity and some expense.

I like what the coyote has to offer and it should handle many miles (a few hundred thousand). A nicely built 351 should handle a hundred thousand or more.

 

If you use modern low tension rings (like 1/16" 1st and 2nd or the even thinner metric equivalent) and change the oil religiously, you can get 300K miles out of the Windsor. Adding EFI will make it start reliably in any weather. Way easier than a Coyote swap with tons of torque potential.

 

I'm going to break with the group here. You are building a show truck so I say go 5.0 for the wow factor. Everyone has a small block. Nothing against them. They are great motors. But a 5.0 DOHC is a helluva motor. Power, efficiency, sound, reliable, and it's different.

 

If you don’t have any engine, transmission or accessories now I would not waste my time with a 289/302/351w. It will end up costing more in the end.
you can easily get a much better 5.0 for the $$ than a proper built w engine. Just think of cost associated with adding EFI, Overdrive etc.

ford performance sells control packs that are plug n play. Tons upon tons of 5.0 6R80 or 10R80’s in bone yards. I say if you have funds get a new 460hp crate engine. It by itself will be less than building. 351 from scratch.

another headache is amount of time it will take to get a engine built and hassle with poor machine work, flat cams etc.

I know for me it’s a bunch cheaper to buy a donor vehicle vs trying to build something that has 1/2 the power and half the MPG.

no brainer. 351w based off engine designed in late 50’s

 

I started to build a very basic FE 2 yrs ago. “Friend” owned the machine shop. Ruined my last 3 blocks. I had rebuild parts for all of them plus drivetrain parts to build 3 diff trucks. Huge loss larger hassle.

put a pencil & paper to costs and one will be shocked at amount of a very basic older engine.
add EFI, Overdrive and simply not worth it.

 

There's some exaggerating going on here
...half the power and half the mpg? That's a gross exaggeration...sbf's can certainly be built to more than 230 hp and get way better than half the mpg of a coyote.
...a crate coyote for less than a custom 351W? Quick look online says crate coyotes are around $9500 and control pack is around $2300. Can build a pretty nice sbf for that.
...and implying that a boneyard coyote is less risk than having someone build an sbf? There are some top quality builders out there if you look.

Either route will take some careful consideration to get the most for the money, and either route is pretty cool. It's not quite as lopsided a choice as you're making it sound.

As a side note, a person can build an entire 351W with all new parts so it's not like you have to start with an block from the 50's if you don't want.

 

Sort of surprised no one has mentioned doing a tricked out 300 I-6. You said you want to go the show & shine route, so why not a 300 six with triple carbs (or maybe an injected Paxton, helix traditional blower or turbocharger setup) bedazzled with a bunch of polished aluminum & chrome plating on everything attached to the engine? You'd get the unique factor of the inline engine compared to everyone else running a SBF or 5.0 coyote. Manual, AOD, whatever transmission you want would bolt right up.

Another option is find a wrecked Ecoboost and go the modern turbo V-6 route.

 

If you're trying to contain costs, a stock or slightly dressed 351w can be done affordably and ought to be as reliable as anything else. Particularly if you do not intend on hot rodding it. That said if you have the money/time/ambition the coyote is going to be tough to beat on the cool factor.

 

The 300 six is as close to a 302 as it gets and has a decent aftermarket following. Check out these videos

 

A 351w offers you lots of options without the upfront cost of the coyote or a 300 inline six for that matter. Either one has great potential for a show build and give you the opportunity to explore options and customize without without breaking the bank.