Hi,
I just discovered this site today. Seems like a lot of info is available. That is great. What brought me here is that last month, I purchased my fathers 1964 F600 dump farm truck. It has sat for more than 15 years. After many weeks of trying to free up the engine I gave up and took the engine out, took it apart and sent the parts to the shop for evaluation. Just got word this week that both heads on my 292 were cracked. Also will need some crank and cyclinder work too. So not sure where to go. Can I get new heads and rebuild? Would I be better to do a swap with a newer running engine? I would rather keep the truck as original as possible. But do not have an unlimited budget. So total expense is important to consider.

I am sure that advice may be already available on this site. If so, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Joe

 

Welcome to the site

Your best bet is to go to the 61-66 Trucks forum.

Maybe reading this will help as well.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=300691


Just a head's up:
titling the thread is most important.
Be sure to put the actual topic in the title.

We already know you require help

Enjoy the site !

 

You can always re-engine and keep the original parts for a later day...

(Just a thought. It might be less pricey)

 

I'd probably consider looking for another engine in running condition. Y blocks are not inexpensive to rebuild, so the less parts you need to buy, the better. They are frequently pulled from 61-64 pickups as they got rodded with newer engines, so can be had if you are patient and get in the 'network'. My buddy just sold a pair of them, one in running condition, for about $300.

You could also replace it with something newer and easier to get parts for, but then you are doing an engine swap, which means you'll probably have to change the trans also, upgrade the cooling system, etc. If you elect to go that route, I would go with a big block like a 460 as it will give that big truck the bottom end power you want. OR there is always the FT engines from slighty newer trucks...similar to FE's (352/360/390) but are designed for heavier trucks. These have little value as they are different enough from FEs to not interest the hot rod crowd, and I have seen pistons and other items on Ebay for very little as there is virtually no market for them.

It's your truck, so do want you want. The unfortunate lack of collector value in large trucks in this case means you really won't hurt yourself if you decide to change it to something else.

 

Ddavidv,
Thanks for your ideas. How / where would you look for another engine. How do you get into the 'network'? Is ebay an option? Other sites?

Thanks,
Joe

 

You've already entered the network.
Here is where you'll find the enthusiasts, and from them you'll find whatever engine you want. Ebay is an option, but you'll want to find something that is in your area as shipping an engine is too costly.

 

FE block is realy all you need. a 353 would be a big improvement over a 292 y block, and the 360 and 390 are even better. All can be found reasonably cheap, and some may work with the transmission you have, providing you can find a bell housing.

 

I sure as heck would not swap out the engine for anything other than a 292. Especially for a first time project that you want to keep original (more or less). Heads are available as are completet engines. Crank and block work are a common repair no matter what engine you are building. Post a want add for a pair of cylinder heads bothe here and oner on the slick 60's site. Then build your engine and put it back together. IMHO!