Tired 360
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Tired 360
Hi all,
Please bear with me as I am primarily a Chevy guy (but have owned and loved many Fords as well... no blind brand loyalty here).
I have a 1975 F-150 2WD that I just bought for $300 not too long ago. It's just an old beat-around truck, so it's not worth putting a ton of money into to make it nice. It's one of those trucks that you just keep around forever because It will never die. The original 360 engine still runs and drives me to work and back every day. Although the oil pump must be getting tired because the oil light flickers at idle. The engine also eats 1 quart of oil every 150 miles or so. It's just worn out in every aspect.
Right now I am looking for an engine to replace this one with. Like I said before, this truck is a beat up old clunker, so it's not worth rebuilding the engine. If I can find an engine/tranny combo for less than $300 to throw in it, that would work for me.
My question is what engines will fit in this one's place? the FE 360-390 engines guzzle gas and are WAY more engine than is needed in a 1/2-ton 2WD truck anyway. I was thinking about maybe a 302 out of a late 70's or early 80's vehicle. That way I can get a little better mileage with it as well.
I know some people think the 302 doesn't belong in a truck, but I've had a couple late 70's Ford truck's with 302's and thought they were plenty strong for the trucks they were in (1/2 ton 2WD). Also got fairly decent mileage (15-16 mpg) which is way better than the 11-12 mpg that I get right now with this 360.
Anyone ever done a swap like this? What all is needed? The exhaust is about to fall off of it, so that is not a problem. I'll just get new put back on after the swap.
For now I think I am going to replace the oil pump and see how long I can keep this old beast running.
Thanks for your thoughts...
-Tony
Please bear with me as I am primarily a Chevy guy (but have owned and loved many Fords as well... no blind brand loyalty here).
I have a 1975 F-150 2WD that I just bought for $300 not too long ago. It's just an old beat-around truck, so it's not worth putting a ton of money into to make it nice. It's one of those trucks that you just keep around forever because It will never die. The original 360 engine still runs and drives me to work and back every day. Although the oil pump must be getting tired because the oil light flickers at idle. The engine also eats 1 quart of oil every 150 miles or so. It's just worn out in every aspect.
Right now I am looking for an engine to replace this one with. Like I said before, this truck is a beat up old clunker, so it's not worth rebuilding the engine. If I can find an engine/tranny combo for less than $300 to throw in it, that would work for me.
My question is what engines will fit in this one's place? the FE 360-390 engines guzzle gas and are WAY more engine than is needed in a 1/2-ton 2WD truck anyway. I was thinking about maybe a 302 out of a late 70's or early 80's vehicle. That way I can get a little better mileage with it as well.
I know some people think the 302 doesn't belong in a truck, but I've had a couple late 70's Ford truck's with 302's and thought they were plenty strong for the trucks they were in (1/2 ton 2WD). Also got fairly decent mileage (15-16 mpg) which is way better than the 11-12 mpg that I get right now with this 360.
Anyone ever done a swap like this? What all is needed? The exhaust is about to fall off of it, so that is not a problem. I'll just get new put back on after the swap.
For now I think I am going to replace the oil pump and see how long I can keep this old beast running.
Thanks for your thoughts...
-Tony
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, CO
Sorry to say this (well not really) but your easiest/cheapest route to go will be to drop an FE back in.... If you wish to go with a Windsor based motor you will need to grab the engine stands from a 70-79 small block truck as well as the tranny to bolt to it. That will be a ditto if you want to step up to the 335 or 385 series motors. These trucks came with the full spectrum of engines, so any will "fit"...
--Mike
--Mike
