smallblock chevy in a 69 ford
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
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From: Black Hills of SD
And don't forget the hard part, all the flak you will have to take from ford truck guys.
Actually another former contributor to FTE and I were talking about putting olds 455 in a F series. Its not really the different engine make, it's just those darn SBC 350's, they're everywhere. Now maybe if it was a 283 or a small journal 327....
Actually another former contributor to FTE and I were talking about putting olds 455 in a F series. Its not really the different engine make, it's just those darn SBC 350's, they're everywhere. Now maybe if it was a 283 or a small journal 327....
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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Nm5K- I forgot to mention that this 350 is carbeurated. So, I guess that that may be another reason that it isn't technically a vortec, but it still has vortec heads which are the main charactor of a vortec.
Yeah, I suspected that this swap might be a little pricey. Do you guys have an approximate amount that it would cost? I don't want to spend more than it would cost to do the body work on the chevy. I am trying to save money with this. Keep in mind that I would fabricate as much of this as I could, but I have limited tools and skills. Generally in any vehicle, what would a engine make swap cost?
Willowbilly3, I understand your annoyance with the 350. They are EVERYWHERE, but to me that doesn't matter. I think they are great engines. However, I do wish I had built something more unique. If I had started off with a good 390, I would have already had the potential for power within the stroke and displacement of the engine. It would take less performance parts to make a stroked big block into a performance machine. Heck, I could have spent my money on some expensive aftermarket heads.
thanks for the help,
brad
Yeah, I suspected that this swap might be a little pricey. Do you guys have an approximate amount that it would cost? I don't want to spend more than it would cost to do the body work on the chevy. I am trying to save money with this. Keep in mind that I would fabricate as much of this as I could, but I have limited tools and skills. Generally in any vehicle, what would a engine make swap cost?
Willowbilly3, I understand your annoyance with the 350. They are EVERYWHERE, but to me that doesn't matter. I think they are great engines. However, I do wish I had built something more unique. If I had started off with a good 390, I would have already had the potential for power within the stroke and displacement of the engine. It would take less performance parts to make a stroked big block into a performance machine. Heck, I could have spent my money on some expensive aftermarket heads.
thanks for the help,
brad
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 425
Likes: 3
Limited tools and skills?? I tend to think that the swap would take more work and money than you think. All of the small parts will cost. Adapters, engine mounts, hoses, belts, not to mention needing to find alternator or power steering brackets that would work (if applicable) I would bet that by the time you were done you could have rebuilt the 390 and still had the 350 sitting in the garage. As far as opinion on the brand crossing, I would never cross anything, and never do. I like to keep Fords all Ford, and Chevys all Chevy. Everyone has thier own opinion though...
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 952
Likes: 1
From: iowa
i go out to the parts yard and find a s10 for that 350 motor. i put one in my S10 blazer and man oh man was that thing fun. of course remember to put the good clutch plate in it and remove the stock one i ripped mine in two.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
I would think a decent S-10 with a shelled out 2.8 could be found cheap, since the 2.8s were junk and are expensive to rebuild. I haven't thought about the swap for a while but I was looking a couple years ago. I had a rolled 78 impala that I got off a towing yard auction for $5 and was looking for a home for the drivetrain. I did find a really clean S-10 extended cab with a rod knock for $500 but I didn't want to spend that much.
If you have all the brackets, pulleys and manifolds, it shouldn't be that tough to make it set in there, but then you have to get a shifter to work and get a driveline built, all things that cost money. And then the radiator will no doubt have its inlet and or outlets on the wrong side requiring more expensive mods or some wacky python radiator hoses. Lots of things to think about. I still say find a chevy for your 350.
If you have all the brackets, pulleys and manifolds, it shouldn't be that tough to make it set in there, but then you have to get a shifter to work and get a driveline built, all things that cost money. And then the radiator will no doubt have its inlet and or outlets on the wrong side requiring more expensive mods or some wacky python radiator hoses. Lots of things to think about. I still say find a chevy for your 350.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
I have a friend who got an '82 S-10 2.2L 4cyl. and took that engine out, and had a hi-performance 350 built for it, lowered the truck, had a custom exhaust made, and put a grille in from a '92 and had it painted a very good lookin' shade of blue. Only thing, he's had to rebuild that engine twice for various little things that compounded into big things. I think the first time he downshifted too early and it buried the tach and that burned it up the first time. The other time I don't exactly recall. But an S-10 would be the best solution for your 350.
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Senior User
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You guys are right about it taking more work than I think. However, I don't know how much work. That's why I am asking you. I am more mechanically inclined and have more patience for machanics than for the tedious work required for body work (plus body work takes more expensive tools that I don't have). So, if you think I am just asking for WAY too much trouble, just tell me. I don't see it being more expensive than body work, but that is because I have never done anything like this. So, do you guys think that it would be more work and expense to do the body work on the chevy or to do the drive train swap in the ford? Do you have an estimated cost? Keep in mind that the chevy is VERY rusty and would require alot of patch panels and fabrication (I can give you a more indepth description if you want). I know that the cheapest of all routes would be to rebuild the 390, but that isn't even a concern. I just want choose the best route to use the 350. You guys are definitely right that choosing an old s10 would really make be a good route, but I really don't want to get another vehicle.
thanks again for all responses
brad
thanks again for all responses
brad
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
If the old you have a place to keep the old Chevy, store it, then fix up an S-10 with your 350, rebuild the 390, drive the Ford, find a Chevy parts truck, and there you go. Hope someone in your family has a farm though, so you can hold on to the Chevy.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Black Hills of SD
My advice: forget the rust bucket, no matter how many patch panels you put on it, it will always be a rust bucket. You just never get it all. If you have all the brackets, pulleys and accessories, tranny, floor shifter ect. for the 350 then I say go for it. Scrounging small parts is a pain in the rear. If you have fabrication skills, getting the engine/tranny planted isn't that big of obstacle.
A 350 in a ford still makes me cringe though.
A 350 in a ford still makes me cringe though.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 95
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From: Elizabeth City,N.C.
The Swap your are proposing is easy and fairly inexpensive. most any Ford parts restoration catalogs will sell ford to sbc
motor mount kits in either weld in or drill and bolt for less than $100.00 add a tranny bracket, and drive shaft work and you're looking at less than $300.00. rather than go with a tranny adaptor I'd throw in the Chev tranny. You may have to adapt the speedometer, and throttle linkage but that is all doable too.
Ive got a 350 in my 53 f-100 it took less than a week- end to fit it up and get it on the road. To keep the purists off my back I am building a 351W to replace the SBC, but that won't happen any time soon. Having too much fun with what I'm runnin now.
motor mount kits in either weld in or drill and bolt for less than $100.00 add a tranny bracket, and drive shaft work and you're looking at less than $300.00. rather than go with a tranny adaptor I'd throw in the Chev tranny. You may have to adapt the speedometer, and throttle linkage but that is all doable too.
Ive got a 350 in my 53 f-100 it took less than a week- end to fit it up and get it on the road. To keep the purists off my back I am building a 351W to replace the SBC, but that won't happen any time soon. Having too much fun with what I'm runnin now.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 952
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From: iowa
i say this if your restoring a classic ford truck and putting a ton of work into one to make it a showpiece, i would not suggest adding a bowtie engine, it would just not sit right with die hard ford guys. BUT if your making a daily driver and are not going to worry about how much dirt gets on your chrome and just want reliable transportaion from a vechile and engine you built, then i say go for it, i know alot of guys who have dropped chevy drivetrains in older vechiles.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, WA
COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm a ford man. '69 F250 Ranger Camper Special, original in almost every way...360 screams with only minor upgrades that I've made.
Got a '64 Linc in progress
Bro's go tthe '71 F100. Ford should stay Ford!
Now, Chevy's are beautiful when you step back three decades....oh those chevelles, malibus, and those gorgeous early Nova's. But here's what you should do...sell that 355, depending on the turnaround, take the dough and sink it into that 390. Do you know what kind of horse you can cheaply squeeze out of that block? My 360 has electric ignition and a new Holley 670 w/ a Edelbrock 390 aluminum intake...Can't break traction yet...but quickly approaching it. I've shortened the throw on the kick-down linkage, and I almost scare myself when I double-metal it.
I aggree with the above statement that fittin' that 355 in the ford is gonna be more $ and effort than you expect...
Just my humble opinions.
Jay
I'm a ford man. '69 F250 Ranger Camper Special, original in almost every way...360 screams with only minor upgrades that I've made.
Got a '64 Linc in progress
Bro's go tthe '71 F100. Ford should stay Ford!
Now, Chevy's are beautiful when you step back three decades....oh those chevelles, malibus, and those gorgeous early Nova's. But here's what you should do...sell that 355, depending on the turnaround, take the dough and sink it into that 390. Do you know what kind of horse you can cheaply squeeze out of that block? My 360 has electric ignition and a new Holley 670 w/ a Edelbrock 390 aluminum intake...Can't break traction yet...but quickly approaching it. I've shortened the throw on the kick-down linkage, and I almost scare myself when I double-metal it.
I aggree with the above statement that fittin' that 355 in the ford is gonna be more $ and effort than you expect...
Just my humble opinions.
Jay
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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jmayer- building the 390 sounds REALLY tempting, but I just don't think I can get rid of my first engine rebuild.
Don1077- Could you recommend a good catalog? Will they have clutch linkage too?
thanks again for the help
brad
Don1077- Could you recommend a good catalog? Will they have clutch linkage too?
thanks again for the help
brad
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