OK here’s the story…
The other day I visited a friend that sells cars on what looks like a salvage yard and I noticed that he had what looked like a 70’s truck. Well he said it’s a 72 f100 that he was going to sell but now it’s a parts truck. He said I can have it if I like. It’s been sitting there for appx. 2 yrs.

I took a look at it and noticed the bed, steering wheel, radiator belts, & air filter are gone, but everything else is pretty much there. I asked what engine it has & he said he thought it was a 351 3 speed on the floor. It was working fine when he parked it there. (Bad thing I noticed is that the engine is now a home to wasps, and since it no longer has an air filter, they’ve made nests in the carb).

A week later a co-worker came to me and offered that if I help him remove a 360 and install a newer (smaller) engine in it’s place, that he would give me the 360 engine, motor mounts & automatic transmission if I like. He said it runs good, he just wants to install the newer engine that he has.

(He seems to know allot about ford trucks and said it’ll take a day to do. I asked other coworkers about him and they said “he’s good with trucks”).

I’ve been thinking about my options, but don’t know what to do.

I currently have a 71 f100 240 I6; 3 on column.
It runs well, leaks a little oil, and I’ve added allot of new parts. (I’m also in the process of getting a new radiator for a little job I’m working on.) I like my engine, it’s good on gas and I’ve learned allot on how to work on it (thanks to you all).

But I’m tempted to take one of the offers….

I’ve asked allot of people about the pros & cons, (motor mounts, radiator, carb, if it’ll fit, gas expense, more parts to buy, etc.)
And I’ve seen the forums on “replacing 300-6 with 351) etc.” but, I would like to know YOUR opinions, especially if you did exactly what my options are.

1) keep my 240 I6 3 on column – which works great
2) get the 351 3 speed – don’t know if it still works, but would install easier
3) get the 360 & automatic trans – works fine, but allot of work/$$ to install

I’m leaning towards the 351 because of the “easier” install and depending on which 351 it is, it should be a good engine.


Sorry for the long post but I appreciate any comments.

Tony

 

well if you are just looking for decent power and decent gas milage i would go with the 351 the 360's are strong motors but they tend to get horrible mileage. you would have a lot more options with the 351 like if you run a 2wd and dont plan on putting out a ton of power you could look into getting a tremec t-5 tranny or even a 6 speed

 

The 351 is considered a small block, just like your I6, so the swap should go pretty easy.

Actually I don't think the 360 would be that hard of a transplant, as long as you had the basic parts from the donor truck. Radiator, hoses, mounts, shift linkage for tranny.

I think the 351 would be easier to get better mileage out of. Depends on the gears out back and how hard you drive. I'm a "FE" kinda guy, but I'm not sure which way I would go. In the long run, you could more easily add more power parts to the 351(if it's a windsor), than the FE. If it's a 351 Cleveland, then it's a relic just like the FE.

 

I'm going to try to find out more on the 351 this weekend. What should I look out for if I decide using this one? How much do you think it's going to cost me? Can I still use my (new) radiator?

Thanks...

 

count the # of valve cover bolts on the engine
see it spark plugs look like this \ \ \ \ or like this / / \ \

72 shouldn't be a 351

 

I'd go with the 351

 

OK, so looks like 351 is the suggested engine.... now how about the wasp nests.. how bad is that? (I'm going to try to take pictures this weekend) ; )

 

well once you kill them pull off the carb and see if the butterflies are closed if they are you got lucky if not you may have to look further down the intake, if they got down the intake you may have to take a head off and check down the cyliners.

 

I would take whatever I could get for free and install it ONCE the 240 died. Which might be years from now. You know if you put in the larger V8s you will need to add MUCH more radiator, that will add about $300+ to the cost.

If I had a 351W (not 351m) I might add that though I would not go column shift. For a 2x4 that does not do towing, I do not see that much advantage in ditching a fine running 240.

The 390 will be a 6-10 mpg set up, probably close to 12 mpg with the 351w. Your 240 probably gets close to 15 mpg.

If you are getting all the motor/transmission mounts on the 360/C-6, that will be a very easy install, and a desireable set up, imo.

 

My opinion: Go with the 351 with the floor shifter. I really don't like automatics, and am not fond of column shifters either.

 

OK, I visited my friend and NOW he says he's not sure WHAT engine it could be .... so please view these photos and let me know? https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=11498

Thanks!

 

that is definatly a FE big block 360/390

 

its definatly a FE. Ive done simular swaps before. I did a 360-300 swap and it only took two days not all that diffacult and the 240-351 swap is just as easy just takes a little time and double checking every thing. as to which swap I'd do. I would have to agree wit rebocardo I'd leave the 240 in until it pucked and during that time rebuild the motor that I planed to install. An old saying comes to mind "If it aint broke dont fix it"

 

Well if this isn't a 351 I'll probably not use it. : (

 

Pretty sure thats an FE block 360/390. If you are going to swap you MUST get a new radiator. When I put in a rebuilt 300 that had been bored .30 over the old radiator would not handle the increased cubes. So the tolerance on ford 6 cylinder radiators is very low. They are maxed out stock. I would probably go with a 351W. Or rebuild the FE to my specs then add it. I agree with everyone else drive the 240 while your building the other motor.