What are some direct drop in engine swaps on the older Ford pickups?

 

I would think any engine Ford put in the truck in the model. 302, 351, 460.

What engine did your truck come with ? going from a 6 to a big V8 you may have to upgrade the fuel delivery system.

 

It has the 300 I6 in it but its been messed with big time so I not sure if trying to get it running is worth the time and effort than just going to a yard and getting another engine.

 

Which tranny do you have ? Give us more info so the guy's that know will be able to give a better reply.

 

its manual trans, what I learned is probably a Borg T18 4 speed, 4x4 not sure the trans case

 

Max why you be hatting the 300 six

I see the truck is a 84 so I believe it would have the dreaded feed back system.
If so that can be changed over pretty easy and is a big cause if the 300 not running right.

So what do you think is wrong with the motor that you think changing it would be better than fixing it?
Before writing it off do a compression test and maybe a leak down test to see what shape the motor is really in.
If compression / leak down test is good then look into what it would take to get it running if it does not at this time.
If it needs a carb you can get a non-feed back off Ebay for under $100.
The motor will run with the feed back dist. for testing and if everything checks out swap in a DSII junk yard system or HEI unit off Ebay and you now have a non-feed back 300 six motor.

Now if you think a motor swap is best the 302 / 351 small block motor will bolt to your bell housing.
You will need to change out the frame brackets for the small block ones.
Wiring will be different so some wires will need to be longer and others shorter.
Throttle cable is different between the 300 and the 302 / 351 motors.
If the motor is from a car the oil pan & pick up may need to be swapped for a truck pan & pick up.
You will need to get a fly wheel balanced for the year motor as they have different weight over the years.
The metal spacer plate will need to be from a manual trans as the starters sit different in them.
BTW you should be able to reuse your starter but if not it also has to be fore a manual.
Radiators & shrouds are different between the 300 and the small block motors.
There may be more that I missed?

The 460 big block motor will NOT bolt to your bell housing. So a new bell housing will be needed.
You will need to change out the frame brackets for the big block ones.
Also note there is a notch in the cross member for the oil filter that the 300 & small block trucks dont have to a oil filter remote will be needed.
Wiring will be different so some wires will need to be longer and others shorter.
Throttle cable is different between the 300 and the 460 motor.
If the motor is from a car the oil pan & pick up may need to be swapped for a truck pan & pick up.
You will need to get a big block fly wheel balanced for the year motor you get.
I am told the metal spacer plate is the same for auto & manual trans big block.
I think you should be able to reuse your starter but check to make sure.
Radiators & shrouds (maybe support?) are different between the 300 and the small block motors.
There may be more that I missed?

It can be done as others have done it and it would be best to have a parts truck to get everything from.
Now anything you find used what shape do you think it will be in?
You could go thru all the work only to find it is worn out and needs a rebuild so you would be ahead of the game rebuilding what you got, if it needs a rebuild, in my book.
Dave ----

 

If you go big block you may need to upgrade the front springs to carry more weight.
Also front & rear axles may not be up to the job of big block power unless you baby it.
Dave ----

 

I took the word, "swap" as he wanted something more than what he had. We all know size matters... LOL

Years ago, a buddy has a 6 in 69' Camaro, he wanted to go bigger. I said go big or go home. I found him a 454. We dropped it in and found out the fuel feed in the car was not large enough to flow enough gas to that big boy. That was back in late 1980 after I got out of the USAF.

 

"Swap" could be non-working for a good working motor of same size.
Have you looked at power out put of the 300 & 302 motors?
IIRC HP is pretty close but TQ goes to the 300!

It is not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean LOL
I still think it would be way more work to swap in a v8 and more so if you dont have a parts truck next to you to do the swap.
But that is me
Dave ----

 

So in your world, swap = replace
In my world, swap means you want to go a different route... LOL

 

LOL swap & replace could swap places LOL
"I am going to swap motors this weekend with a good one"
"I am going to replace motors this weekend with a good one"
Swap just works better
Dave ----

 

Do have links to the mentioned non-feedback carbs on ebay?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22477371917...3ABFBMhqy1qPVg

 

Your profile says you are in Ca. That '84 has to pass smog. An '84 may have the computer controlled carb and a bunch of plastic vacuum lines. All that stuff will have to be in place and working to smog it and register it.

Stick with the 6 IMO.

 

Should I get an older year I6 that fuel injected or at least convert my carbed I6 to fuel injected by getting the parts from a EFI I6 300?