So first off I'll say I've been reading off this place for awhile for help and holy smokes lots of good information and learned being detailed in what you have and what your plans to do are important...but I'm having trouble and getting In some arguments with some friends on what I should do with this old pickup I recently got (1987 f150 xlt 4x4 351w c6 600cfm eldbrock) Now me personally I like the idea to put a 1970s Pontiac 455 in the truck I can locate the motor and tranny (at least 2 motors and 2 trannys for sale close buy as of today 600$) and friends and family are saying do a ls swap which everyone has already done I want something you don't hear about everyday got about 4k to burn on this truck I'd like to keep the 4x4 system in it I guess what I'm saying is I still want the old school big block/old school power but I wanna stray away from putting a chevy motor in a ford just don't feel right.. let me know thoughts just be honest
below is a picture from where we pulled it from her resting place 6 months ago

 

I'm just looking for ideas for a swap that's not common but not ridiculous also if anyone has comments on the truck the trucks been setting for the last 3 years I've had it in the shop getting put back to road worthy and then this time next year it's going to the body shop to get a fresh coat of paint

 

Pontiac 455's can make a lot of power but are expensive to build. Plus you have the added expense of motor mounts and supports, radiator orientation and both drive shafts and a transfer case to fit that transmission. Look at the builds done on Ford 351's on YouTube. Way cheaper way to go.

 

The truck in the above picture is a 1986 or older truck.

Putting a different engine and trans in a 2wd truck is a little trouble, but not too much. 4x4 makes it more complicated. If you want more power and a big block, a 460 would drop right in place with conversion motor mounts that are already made. Get a 4x4 tranny that fits the 460 and the old original transfer case will bolt right up to it. Much less complicated.

 

I am not one for different make motor than the body but .......
You dont want a GM LS1 but do want a GM Pontiac?
You will need to come up with frame mounts to fit the rubber mounts.
Oil pan & pump pick up to clear the cross member.
Will the motor clear the HVAC box? if you cut it out you dont have defrost.
Radiator, throttle cable hook up.

Then yo uhave the transmission needed to bolt to the Pontiac motor, not all GM transmission bolt to all GM motors, ie. BOP
I would guess the trans would need to be a TH400 and AFAIK the Pontiac TH400 never can as a 4x4.
So you would need to get a TH400 4x4 output shaft and being that is the last to come out and first to go in on a transmission rebuild you are rebuilding that TH400.

Oh I dont know if the Ford transfer case will bolt to the TH400 adapter, thinking not, so you would need a transfer case to bolt up to the TH400 adapter.
Then you have to look at where the front drive shafts come out of the case.
Some are on the left and other on the right.

Then you have transmission & transfer case linkage and other stuff I have missed.
That is a lot of work to be different
Dave ----

 

Why not stick with the original 351? That would be the easiest especially if the existing is servicable.

I do understand the need for HP. And the GM V8 engines are famous. Easy to work on, especially in the 70's era versions before emissions. The 460 is probably your best bet for more HP and still keep the 4x4.

I did see a thread here once about a Chevy 350 in a bullnose. It was 4x2 so the retro was not so complicated. An 86 bullnose with a 350 and a TH transmission would be a cool combo. Ford always had my favorite body styles in 80's era but the GM 350 is famous for longevity and power. A lot of them were hot rodded up.

 

7.3 idi.
Or a Cummins.

That's different w a purpose.