Should I or Not
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: n.e. of mt. vernon, il.
Should I or Not
Hello, I have a 1966 f-100 custom cab long bed,Raven Black, 240 3 on the tree 60,000 on it when I bought it. Now has 64,000. The truck is mostly original. I would like to put a 351C in it, I already have it. With a 4speed overdrive automatic tranny. I have put a 3.07 gear in it for more highway speed. But man there are fewer and fewer original trucks around. What do some of you think about modding up an original? I can't decide wich way to go. The 240 needs work its not had the best maintenace. Thanks
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 486
Likes: 174
I reckon it's about what you want. Do you need the extra power?
351C is a cool motor, but not known for it's low end torque. But they can come alive with some rpm. A lot of power potential with a suitable infusion of money. These days you can probably get more power per dollar with a windsor 351/408 though. Lots of bitchin' stuff available for those.
A 240 could easily be upgraded to a 300. And the 240 head is preferred because it has smaller combustion chambers, which give a bump in compression.
I decided to stay with the 300 inline my truck came with. Just to be different. There's stuff made for 'em, but availability has become a problem. It's REALLY tough to find an aftermarket intake manifold. They have also taken a huge jump in price in the last several months. I was gonna use an Offy intake with a 2 or 4 barrel carb, but as it turned out, the Holley Sniper 1 barrel EFI set-up was actually the lower cost option.
351C is a cool motor, but not known for it's low end torque. But they can come alive with some rpm. A lot of power potential with a suitable infusion of money. These days you can probably get more power per dollar with a windsor 351/408 though. Lots of bitchin' stuff available for those.
A 240 could easily be upgraded to a 300. And the 240 head is preferred because it has smaller combustion chambers, which give a bump in compression.
I decided to stay with the 300 inline my truck came with. Just to be different. There's stuff made for 'em, but availability has become a problem. It's REALLY tough to find an aftermarket intake manifold. They have also taken a huge jump in price in the last several months. I was gonna use an Offy intake with a 2 or 4 barrel carb, but as it turned out, the Holley Sniper 1 barrel EFI set-up was actually the lower cost option.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,467
Likes: 961
From: Tri Cities, TN
351 Cleveland
Hello, I have a 1966 f-100 custom cab long bed,Raven Black, 240 3 on the tree 60,000 on it when I bought it. Now has 64,000. The truck is mostly original. I would like to put a 351C in it, I already have it. With a 4speed overdrive automatic tranny. I have put a 3.07 gear in it for more highway speed. But man there are fewer and fewer original trucks around. What do some of you think about modding up an original? I can't decide wich way to go. The 240 needs work its not had the best maintenace. Thanks
Which 351C do you have the 2V or 4V? I've had a 351C of one type or the other around for 30 years. There are a lot of misconceptions about the 351C. My experience is they don't suffer a lack of low-speed torque or drivability. As long as they have the right cam. My truck, without foot braking it and just stabbing the throttle will blow the tires off. If you are going to put that Cleveland in, you will need to find a set of small block engine perches form a 68-79 truck. If it is a 4V engine you won't be able to use the stock cast iron manifolds. Sanderson makes a set of shorty headers for a 351C in an F100. There is more to it than the parts I mentioned. If you decide to put it in, I can list the things you need to change. There are a ton of misconceptions about these engines. If you want to know more about them read these stickies by George Pence.
(7) Classic Cleveland Tech and History - 351c.Net (tapatalk.com)
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 562
Likes: 112
From: Shelburne, NH
I wouldn't concern yourself too much about originality for the reasons stated above. These trucks are not limited to low production numbers, or manufactured by a flash in the pan company that went out of business or was bought out by another company and is no longer in existence. I say that because these are not rare vehicles produced by an unusual company or produced as unusual vehicles by a manufacturer.. You can always keep the original 240 and parts in case someday you become nostalgic for originality or prefer to sell a numbers matching truck. But at this time - I don't suspect you will see a significant variation in the purchase price whether modified or not. It is a personal choice but given what the others are saying I wouldn't lose sleep over it . Build your truck the way you want it for the use you intend.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 436
From: Lehigh Valley, Penna.
Build it the way you want. IMHO, if you do a quality swap it's worth more with a small V8 and an overdrive automatic. While it's apart swap in power steering and power disc brakes from a late 70's F100/150.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: n.e. of mt. vernon, il.
Thanks I'm glad I asked and now that I think about it who would ever be in awe over a numbers matching 66 F-100. Your right its not like its a 71 Dodge bumble bee. So yes I'm going ahead with my build plan. My 351 came out of a 1973 ford torino two barrel high horse veryified by block number with only 60,000 miles on it. I have some other cars to move before i can free up the shop and begin so I will come back later for the help on sourcing part I will need. Thank you for your input, Lildobr
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 562
Likes: 112
From: Shelburne, NH
You can always paint it Dodge Superbee lime greeen or purple with a black stripe on it. Put a decal on it: “Ford 240 Power”
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