Had a thought today during a long drive for work.

My truck is an original 6-cylinder truck.

I want to keep it looking that way, with the exception of new power disk brakes, but keep the straight axle.

How hard would it be to install a late model Ford V6? I would need to use the tranny as well, correct?

I am a novice mechanic.

Thansk.

 

My truck came with an inline six too, but now has a 292 Y-block 8 in it. I've thought about hunting down a later model inline 6 for my truck for the day when the 292 dies because it would look similar to original but be better engineered.

To answer your question, I don't think I'd bother with a V6, however, because it would be a lot of trouble to mod something that in the end wouldn't look anything close to the original inline six. It would look like a baby V8 in that big engine bay. Further, I doubt mating a late model V6 to the old three speed would be straightforward because you don't hear about anybody else doing it. That makes me suspect the standard after market support that follows more popular mods would be lacking.

There are quite a few late model 300 cubic inch inline six motors available in wrecks from F-150's from the 80's and 90's. Some of trucks came with three on the tree, so I imagine that would be a much easier starting place.

Good luck,
Rob

 

Could be done, but like was said, why bother when it's easier and probably cheaper to drop in a smallblock V-8? The 6 isn't appreciably smaller (room is definitely not an issue) or lighter than the 8 but gives up probably 100 hp, isn't easy to find in a RWD configuration. A 351W with an overdrive automatic tranny would be a good choice for cruisin and all the parts you need to do a bolt in swap are available and it's as easy a swap for a novice there is short of a (dare I say it?) smallblock bowtie. Advice to the novice builder: don't buck the "system" use what is the most popular since you'll find a lot more parts and support, you won't need to reinvent the wheel every time you turn around, and there is usually good reason for it's popularity: it's proven to work!
When doing an engine swap, try to find a complete and good running vehicle to use as a donor, As you go along you'll find use for a lot of the little bits and pieces that might not come with just an engine and/or transmission (radiator, wiring harness, linkages, driveshaft etc), you'll get some practice and insight into differences and similarities pulling out the two engines and trannies, and you can be sure everything works together. A low milage rear end or side impact wreck is a good starting point. Try to avoid vehicles from 94 up so you don't have to deal with complex computer controls.

 

I'd vote for the 300 or the 240 inline six. Cheap to buy and Clifford makes some eays HP bolt-ons in the way of exhaust and intakes, cams etc. Jag

 

Is the 300 a bolt on to the existing tranny? Not a big deal, however, I want it to remain a manual. At least the kids can learn to drive a stick that way, plus, it stays somewhat original.

Do they make updated distibutors to make an original 215 points-less? Or is it better to go with a 300?

Thansk for the ideas.

 

I think the bellhousing is the same between the 300 I-6 and a Ford small block(289:not the (5 bolt 289)-302-351W)

 

I suspect your original tranny is non-syncromesh and since over 50 years old parts might be difficult to come by when the kids tear the teeth off the gears, so I'd just replace it all with a complete matching engine and tranny from a much newer (>1970) vehicle. 6 sticks should be pretty easy and cheap to come by, and a lot easier install than messing with tranny adapters, mix/matched clutch assemblies etc. I think you are trying to save work by trying to use the stock tranny, but trust me, that is really the much more difficult route for a novice mechanic.