Hi all,
Well, I posted this over in the engine swaps forum, but it seems that not many people frequent that one.

I've got a 1975 F-150 2WD with a 360/automatic. I bought it a couple weeks ago for $300. It is just an old beater truck, so i'm not going to put a ton of money into it.

The truck runs and drives me back to work just fine every day, but the oil pump must be worn out, as the oil light will flicker at idle. It also eats 1 quart of oil every 200 miles or so. I want to replace the engine eventually, but I still haven't completely figured out all the goofy diferent tranny belhousing patterns that Ford used (I'm used to Chevy, where everything fits everything).

What mods would need to be done, depending on what kind of used engine I find for it? I'm looking for a decent used 302 or 351W right now. Don't really want to put anything bigger back in there, as I don't think a 1/2 ton 2WD needs anything bigger than a 302 for what I'll use it for. Although if I come across a cheap FE engine I'd have no problem throwing that in there, as it would be a direct bolt-in and I could keep the original tranny.

I know the exhaust will need to be modified, but what's on it right now is all rusted away, so that's not really a problem. I'll just have new put on it after the swap. Will I need different motor mounts?

I've swapped a couple Ford motors out before (302 V8 to 300 I6 and 302 V8 to 351W V8) but they were pretty much direct bolt-in's.

Thanks for any help!
-Tony

 

The only engine that will directly bolt in is an FE of some kind. All were the same from 330-428. Any other engine and you will have to change the trans and most likely the towers that bolt to the frame. It sounds like you just want to keep it going for a while. FE's are known for low oil psi if they are worn out. I would just put some 20W50 (or thicker) oil in it with a can of STP oil treatment. Also bump up the idle about 50 RPM. This should keep the oil light from coming on. As for the using oil, oil is cheap!!!!

 

Yeah, I knew that the only direct bolt-in would be another FE. And I may just go that route if I can find a cheap one that's in better shape than this one. Probably be a little easier to find a good running 390... by then I won't care about gas mileage. lol

You are right, I am going to run this engine untill it blows up. I've had a 390 and a 360 in the past, so I know that even a dead oil pump will not kill these engines, lol. My friend used to have an '81 F-100 with a 351W that someone had swapped in. It had the same problem with low oil pressure, (flickering light) and it ran strong for a looooong time like that, so I'm not worried. I bought a few quarts of cheapo 10w40 for 74 cents a quart yesterday. Once I use all that up, I'll start dumping 20w50 in 'er. I guess the bright side is that I don't ever have to worry about changing the oil... lol.

 

Please, No Multi-posting

 

if ur lookin for just to go to work and even a little more power than just to drive for that a 302 is a good choice and if ur wantin more powe just do some minor adjustments.