Hi, I have a near pristine 74 Ford F100 shortbed manual with 330k on it with a completely worn out engine. I want to swap to a newer engine with an automatic transmission. What engines make good clean swaps for this? I want fuel injection, I don't mind doing some wiring, but I don't want to be wiring 3000 wires : ). I don't care about retaining originality, I plan to keep it until something unfortunate happens. So in short, Engine ->New Fuel Injected, Transmission -> Auto.

 

Well, the Year of truck doesn't really come into play on this topic so I would suggest you tell us what are your needs with this truck.

Remember Lot's of Cu in. & the word Fuel economy don't go together


Once you tell us, I'll move this to the General Automotive forum where you will get numerous replies.

 

I want to restore this to slightly better than stock condition, not a lowrider, not a gigantic truck. It will NEVER be a daily driver, It will make the occasional voyage to the dump, might tow a boat at some point, and just for cruisin'. I don't need gobs of power, but power is always good. I'm just looking for what engine and transmission will slide in and bolt up nicely, or with minimal work, and will make a good compromise (althrough power is always good, I have a heavy foot).

 

Sounds like a job for the 300 I-6.
Gobs of Torque,easy to fix (if necessary),Best on Fuel, Auto or Std

 

Okay, what does that come in years and models. I was actually thinking 8 because I do love power and since this won't be a daily driver, I don't mind sacrificing fuel economy. Actually I just want the most powerful engine that will nicely fit in ther that is still relatively cheap to obtain. Sorry to confuse you with the first reply.

 

I'd recommend a C6 tranny over any of the newer electronic ones. More reliable and easier to hook up. A 302 or 351 would be good options for a smallblock. Engines or entire drivetrains should be available from a multitude of donor vehicles.

 

Can you give me any more info? This is my dad's truck and I can do everything on my 1990 BMW 325i, but I hardly know anything about this truck yet. How much modification would be neccessary to fit one of these engines in. Sorry for my ignorance, but I need some specifics to get started, then I will quickly learn everything (I don't know how it happens, it just does). What years and vehicles would the C6 tranny have come in? Do the ford muscle cars and ford trucks have different ttransmissions? Would I be able to say put an engine/transmission combonation in from a mustang 5.0 and have it be the same performance and ratios as a comparable 5.0 truck?

 

What does bremmerton city have to do with anything?

 

Well, since Exploders came with 302's in some years and there is a good supply wadded up in junkyards accross the planet, maybe you can find a rolled Mountaineer or Exploder as a donor for V8, EFI, and matching trans, and do a full transfer to your fine '74. From there, standard 5.0 hop up stuff should apply as needed.

Mustangs can be donors too, but I'd guess you'd find those pretty well rung out unless you find one of those wadded up with low low miles.

Also pre '97 T birds had that set up.

And a host of others, you get the picture.

 

So, I would need the engine, trans, wiring harness, exhaust, computer, what else? Or would I be better off to pay a premium and buy the entire front clip? Do you happen to know of any combo's anywhere other than a local junkyard? I can't seem to find any on eBay

 

You can buy an older full size car that will donate everything you need, and many can be found carbed if you go pre 85. 302's are a good car engine and part time truck engine, for get down grunt, a 351 can be had cheaply and repalcement parts are common. You won't find many 351's in cars, though, but trucks and vans from the 70's up to mid 90's. If you are unfamiliar with injection and how it works, you will be better served to stay carbed. 351 windsors (W) are compatible to a point with 302"s (5.0) so that helps keep parts price down. But their compatibility is largely related to being able to put each in the same position as the other, but that's about where it ends. They swap trans and accessories, and motor mounts, so you can swap the motors back and forth all day. In your application, the exhaust , if dual, would swap, but if you had a single with y-pipe, it wouldn't, the deck height is just enough different. These motors are common and reliable, the 460 tends to be pricey on the parts and fuel cost. Other motors are available, but not as readily available 351W's are largely restricted to trucks in the 79 and newer cars, so for cheap V8 motion, the 302 is the most readily available. It is argued that the 300 6 is the better choice over a 302, but there are almost as many that will argue the 302 is just as good. One thing you haven't mentioned is what you have for a motor now. That also helps in deciding an easy route to another motor. If you happen to have a 6 in it now, the swap to a 302 or 351W is considerably easier.

 

Every ford truck for 20 years had a C6 tranny. Lots of big cars had them as well. My '71 F100 with 360 had a C6, my '78 F250 (with a '77 Lincoln 460) had a C6, my '82 F150 with 302 had a C6. They were made up until the late 80's I believe. The E4OD that replaced it wasn't as durable imho.

As far as the relationship between the 302 and 351W, the 351 is a stroked 302. The bottom end is the same but the engine is taller for the longer stroke. The heads will swap but the intake manifold will not. Had a boat once with an I/O 302 with 351 heads.

 

the bottom end on a 351 is beefier, 5/16 rod bolts vs. 3/8, and the pans will not swap, the heads (I have read) use different size bolts as well, and although they will swap, you need the special bolts to keep them located properly. The C6 is a great trans, and has been available for a long time, but it won't swap unless it comes from the same family of motors.

 

Thanks for all of the help. I definantly want it fuel injected, I am very mechanicly adept and have done engine swaps on cars before, and I know my way around EFI. The current engine is a V-8, not sure exacly how big. The exhaust on the truck now is pretty much useless as one fo the manifolds is cracked, the pipes are all rusted, and someone modified it to go into one. I was thinking of getting a set of headers for whatever engine I get, and running dual exhaust back to dual glasspacks. It sounds like the 351 is the engine I want, Fuel injected, With the C6 automatic transmission. And you say that all of the trucks w/ automatic had a C6? Up to what year? Thanks for all of the help. Do you see any problems with this plan? Also, the truck is the Ranger XLT edition if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

 

If you decide to put a fuel injected motor in there expect a good amout of wiring. Personally I would put a carberated motor in it to save some head aches. I think if you do that it will go real smooth.