interchangable engines
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8th Gear
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interchangable engines
1985 ford econoline e150 cargo van straight 6
1983 ford econoline e100 cargo van straight 6
1)we know the 1983 engine's a 240 and the 1985 engine's a 300 but can the 1983 engine be put in the 1985
1985 van three speed with overdrive on the floor hydrolic clutch
1983 van three speed on the column manual clutch
both van's use the same clutch
1983 ford econoline e100 cargo van straight 6
1)we know the 1983 engine's a 240 and the 1985 engine's a 300 but can the 1983 engine be put in the 1985
1985 van three speed with overdrive on the floor hydrolic clutch
1983 van three speed on the column manual clutch
both van's use the same clutch
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The 240 was discontinued after '74.
So if that '83 has a 240 it was transplanted.
The 240 and 300 are "identical" externally, with some variations year by year. But the basics were the same until the threaded hole for the clutch pivot went away in the mid '80s and the fuel pump on the block went away in the late '80s when EFI came along.
So they can be interchanged. Keep the flywheel with the engine.
But, IMO I would not put a 240 in the '85. I doubt it would pull 4th gear in that OD trans on anything but a downhill.
All your bell and other clutch stuff should bolt right on. Double check the clutch pressure plate fitment.
So if that '83 has a 240 it was transplanted.
The 240 and 300 are "identical" externally, with some variations year by year. But the basics were the same until the threaded hole for the clutch pivot went away in the mid '80s and the fuel pump on the block went away in the late '80s when EFI came along.
So they can be interchanged. Keep the flywheel with the engine.
But, IMO I would not put a 240 in the '85. I doubt it would pull 4th gear in that OD trans on anything but a downhill.
All your bell and other clutch stuff should bolt right on. Double check the clutch pressure plate fitment.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
After 5 years replacing everything under the hood, ECM included, knowing what I know now, I would never touch another damn 300 as long as I live, the 80's years were terrible, add efi to the mix, you will pay more to get it running right than the van was worth when it was sold new! I had to buy a reman 300 for mine, no one wanted to remove the efi and drop a v8 in it, made me so mad if I personally could swap engines, I'd put a Chevy v8 in it just for spite, yes you can swap it, but WHY would you want to, its a pain to pull and replace an engine in a van!
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8th Gear
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1)thanks for your reply
2)just about sure the e100 came with a 240, but we'll check
3)about what you said about the 240 not being able to power the overdrive gear, are you saying we couldn't use the overdrive gear unless we were on a downhill drive
4)we might need to put the 240 in the 85, but would like to make sure the van would drive properly at least on level ground using the overdrive gear, we could always just put the van in third gear if driving uphill
2)just about sure the e100 came with a 240, but we'll check
3)about what you said about the 240 not being able to power the overdrive gear, are you saying we couldn't use the overdrive gear unless we were on a downhill drive
4)we might need to put the 240 in the 85, but would like to make sure the van would drive properly at least on level ground using the overdrive gear, we could always just put the van in third gear if driving uphill
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If the E100 was a '73 then it could have had a 240 as OEM. Not in '83. As these engines are easily interchanged, someone could have put the 240 into an '83 just as you might put it in the '85.
What axle ratio does the '85 have? That will determine if overdrive is downhill or flatland. Even with a 300 it's not very good for any uphill to speak of.
What axle ratio does the '85 have? That will determine if overdrive is downhill or flatland. Even with a 300 it's not very good for any uphill to speak of.
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8th Gear
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1)not sure about the axle ratio or how to find the axle ratio specification, if you know where we can find the axle ratio, please let me know and we'll try to get the specification for you
2)the 1985 with the 300 in overdrive gear has worked good downhill, flatland and uphill, so do you think downsizing to the 240 in overdive gear would at least get good driving on flatland
2)the 1985 with the 300 in overdrive gear has worked good downhill, flatland and uphill, so do you think downsizing to the 240 in overdive gear would at least get good driving on flatland
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
1)not sure about the axle ratio or how to find the axle ratio specification, if you know where we can find the axle ratio, please let me know and we'll try to get the specification for you
2)the 1985 with the 300 in overdrive gear has worked good downhill, flatland and uphill, so do you think downsizing to the 240 in overdive gear would at least get good driving on flatland
2)the 1985 with the 300 in overdrive gear has worked good downhill, flatland and uphill, so do you think downsizing to the 240 in overdive gear would at least get good driving on flatland
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8th Gear
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ignition module
1)the 1983 has a ignition control module(4 inch by 4 inch container bolted to the frame in the engine compartment)
2)how can we bypass the ignition module and any other wiring and just have a basic setup using the three wires leading into the distributor and the two wires on the ignition coil so we can start the van and have the van drivable
2)how can we bypass the ignition module and any other wiring and just have a basic setup using the three wires leading into the distributor and the two wires on the ignition coil so we can start the van and have the van drivable
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8th Gear
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interchangeable engines
1) the 1983 van has a ignition control module bolted to the frame
2) the 1985 van has a ignition control module connected to the distributor
3)if we put the 1983 engine in the 1985 van, do we just put the 1985 van's distributor in the 1983 engine(would there be any issues because of the different ignition control modules used on each engine)
4)how would we make sure the 1985 distributor was installed properly in the 1983 van's engine
2) the 1985 van has a ignition control module connected to the distributor
3)if we put the 1983 engine in the 1985 van, do we just put the 1985 van's distributor in the 1983 engine(would there be any issues because of the different ignition control modules used on each engine)
4)how would we make sure the 1985 distributor was installed properly in the 1983 van's engine
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
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From: Near Salt Lake City
You will have no problems swapping the 240 into the 300's place
Yes, use the TFI distributor on the old 240
Use everything off the 85 engine including the valve cover and oil pan if the=y are different at all
Swap it like a long block with no pans or covers
Yes, use the TFI distributor on the old 240
Use everything off the 85 engine including the valve cover and oil pan if the=y are different at all
Swap it like a long block with no pans or covers
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