Highboy motor options HELP!
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 13
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Highboy motor options HELP!
Alright guys hopefully I don't get roasted too much but here it goes.
I am mechanically retarded however I like to learn and to tinker lol. my daughter is about to be born next week and i want to build her a truck that by the time she is old enough to drive it will be fully restored.
I know I like the highboys and the 79s and I know I want 4 wheel drive. What I don't know is what motor. I've had people tell me the 390 other say the 429 others say 351 windsor and stroke it, and others say the 400. I have no clue where to start. If you were going to build a motor What motor would you choose and why?
Also would you build the motor or go with a crate ? Again why to whichever one?
I am mechanically retarded however I like to learn and to tinker lol. my daughter is about to be born next week and i want to build her a truck that by the time she is old enough to drive it will be fully restored.
I know I like the highboys and the 79s and I know I want 4 wheel drive. What I don't know is what motor. I've had people tell me the 390 other say the 429 others say 351 windsor and stroke it, and others say the 400. I have no clue where to start. If you were going to build a motor What motor would you choose and why?
Also would you build the motor or go with a crate ? Again why to whichever one?
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I'm also open to other options. Those are just the ones I have been told about. If you have another idea please throw it out there.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 2,348
The '73-76 high boy came with only a 6 banger or a 360. since the 360 is an FE you can have a 390 or 428 with no effort at all. the '76 highboy is the holy grail because it has the FE and the open knuckle front disc brakes.
the early '77 high boy is the same as the '76 except it has the 335 series engine. ( boooo )
The late '77-79 were not high boys and they only had 335 series engines for the V8. but the good news is with a little effort and a kit you can convert to the very fine 385 series engine . ( yaayyy )
So it's all about what you want and your budget. sounds like you have time so take your time, decide what you want then wait until you find it in rust free or nearly rust free condition.
the early '77 high boy is the same as the '76 except it has the 335 series engine. ( boooo )
The late '77-79 were not high boys and they only had 335 series engines for the V8. but the good news is with a little effort and a kit you can convert to the very fine 385 series engine . ( yaayyy )
So it's all about what you want and your budget. sounds like you have time so take your time, decide what you want then wait until you find it in rust free or nearly rust free condition.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
The truth is given the divorced transfer case you could put whatever motor you want into the"highboy". If you're confining your choices to ford a 300 straight six with a built c-4 would be my choice for a sixteen year old girl. Then build the 460 for her graduation.
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