I've got a 74 F100 with a 390 that is definately in the hurt locker, I just put a 351w in my 78 Econoline. I've put a LOT of money in the Windsor (Edelbrok perfomer rpm intake, Holley street avenger, headers, D0OE heads etc, etc) before I got the truck. I've not even finished my 500 mile break in on it yet, but it runs like a raped ape.

Getting rid of the van now, since the truck fell into my lap (free) and theres just too much other stuff to do to it. Both have C6's. How much pain am I looking at putting the windsor into the effie? What will I have to do besides change the motor mounts?

What am I giving up by getting rid of the stock 390? The truth of the matter is, Windsors and Clevelands are the only engines I've ever had in my vehicles. Is the FE that big of a deal?

Thanks for any info

Mark Myers
Norfolk, Va

 

Depends on what you plan to do with the truck. Considering you have the 351 built and you are extremely happy with the performance, do the swap. You will need small block engine perches and mounts, should be able to find those in the salvage yard. You will need the C6 for the 351 as well, not the same bolt pattern as the FE. The FE is a strong torque engine, unless it's tired. You can always pull that 390 aside and build up a nice little motor, or parts are always needed for them...

--Mike G

 

I had already planned on swapping the whole thing as a unit (engine and tranny). So my tranny mounts should be good, and no change in my driveshaft length, right? I think I will hold onto the FE and rebuild it (if nothing else to learn something new) I'm sure something else will come along to put it in. (Love me some Fords) Well, in any case thanks for the info Mike.

Mark Myers
Norfolk, Va

 

Mike G. Thanks for the advice. Engine swap done. No major problems, bolted right in with a new set of motor mounts, towers didn't change. The crossbeam for the transmission mount has a second set of holes about 2 inches forward to accomodate a small block setup. One slight oversight on my part. 74 F100 has breaker point ignition, while 351w out of the econoline had breakerless ignition. Luckily donor vehicle was about 5 feet away. If anybody wants a blow by blow on the swap let me know, might save on some head scratchin. All in all I'm very pleased.

Not gonna rebuild the FE after all, got another Windsor on the stand to rebuild. Anyone in the Norfolk area looking for a used 390 with rebuilt c6 attached? Cheap Cheap.

 

if you can, take some pictures, and do a little write up on it... I'd appreciate it, and you would get full credit...

Thanks, Matt.

 

Like what you did, the swap is possible without changing the towers. Your engine is now too far forward though, as engineered by Ford. If a small block is installed in your truck correctly, the drivers side head is almost hitting the firewall. Been there done that. I did the same thing you did the first time, when I pulled a 352 and installed a 302. I didn't know any different until I tried to install headers. The passenger side header had to be modified to work. Then on my next truck, I bought the correct engine stands, and got a shorter driveshaft. The truck handled much better with the engine back where it belongs. Also the weight transfer is better on take off. If it doesn't bother you that your truck doesn't handle as good as it could, then it'll work just fine as you have it. Just a little advice. The engine towers for a small block look a little different. The passenger side one has a rearward "lean" to it. It actually hangs out past the crossmember, towards the rear. If you know what you're looking for, they're pretty easy to find at the salvage yard.

 

I'm working on the write-up and the pics. I installed the engine with the headers attached and no clearance issues. I don't know if its because I have a two piece drive shaft if it wasn't an issue but I have the same fan clearance from the radiator as I did before (give or take) with the 390. Why would the second set of holes in the frame for the tranny crossmember be perfectly aligned for that set up? I would also think going from a 650lb FE to a 510lb Windsor would make up for the forward weight. I didn't think to measure the front end clearance before and after. I'll keep an eye out for the different towers for a possible future project. I plan on hitting the yards for various geedunk for the truck anyway when the weather dries up.

 

Steve, I see exactly what you are talking about with the towers. I was just at the junkyard during my lunch break today to get a radiator saddle, and was working on a 76? F-250 with a 351w. They seem to be shorter as well. Now I know what to look for but, I think I'm gonna wait till I find one with no engine in it.

 

did youend up changeing the toweror not? Also have 351w in a bronco rpm manifold port and polished heads and so on ,that is wanting to trade spaces with a 360 and badtrans. just re built the trans in the 2 wd bronco . i swap the 302 to a 351 what do i need for headers? 351w for a 76 auto? it the start of my summer up here in alaska 15 hours of day light so i have plenty of time thanks

 

you'll need mustang shorty headers for the Wheezer, since they never came in trucks.

 

Hmmmmm. Never came in trucks? I have a classic car consumer price printout in front of me at this second. It lists a 1969 F100 Flareside Sortbed with the 351 Windsor option. They're worth about $50 more then the same truck with a 390. Little known option I guess. Also there were many Broncos that came with a 351W HO, and I'm pretty sure thy're considered a truck. If I dug a little more, I'm sure I could find other Ford trucks that came stock with a 351W. So where do you get your info Matt?
Botz244- That engine will go in there without changing your towers, but it's a better install if you do. Since Ford decided to use different towers for small blocks, I'm sure they had pretty good reasons. I've done it both ways, and prefer using the correct towers. Sorry, but I don't know what headers to ask for. I found a listong for 80-95 F Series trucks with a 351W, but not any earlier. Does anybody know if these would fit?

 

I guarantee that the 351W never came in a truck until 1983. I know that the Chiltons guide lists it, but its not right. This is a needless arguement. Its been discussed many times.

keep in mind that there are very few places that have as detaile dinfo about these trucks as FTE does.

the W didn't come out until very late 1968, way into the model year for those trucks, if this was a true factory option, and the truck existed in its original state, it would be worth a lot of money.

 

Look it up Matt. Kelley Blue Book for classic cars. A 1969 F100 with a 351 is worth $14,925 for high retail value, $11,000 for average retail value, and $7,075 for low retail value. They only list vehicles with original engines. Must be wrong, like Chilton's? Ha Ha Ha Ha. WHATEVER! Just like all 302's are the same. LOL. I LOVE it when I know I'm right, and I get to stir something up.

 

Was that you? and yes, they are all the same. witht the exception of a few HO mustang motors, they had domed 12.5:1 CR pistons.

I've found a lot of mistakes on Kelley blue book's website....

 

My 71 F100 SportCustom has a 351W in it. I wonder what it's worth. lol It also has an AOD in it of course I put both of them in it. I've never, ever, seen or heard of a 67-72 F100 with a 351W in it. My 71 came with a 302 in it.
I guess it's possible but you would think it would be more well known if it did.
I wish it was true then I could find a set of headers that would bolt right in since none of the header makers have a set of headers for a 67-72 F100. They say the engine is'nt a stock set-up and have no plans as yet to make any swap headers
Clint