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Jul 10, 2005 | 12:19 AM

stil190

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 54

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New and needing help

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

Jul 10, 2005 | 12:21 AM

Mil1ion

New User

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 0

Likes: 24

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 !

Last edited by Mil1ion; Jul 10, 2005 at 12:24 AM.

Jul 10, 2005 | 12:31 AM

Greywolf

Fleet Owner

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 29,941

Likes: 46

From: Drummonds, TN USA

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

(Just a thought. It might be less pricey)

Jul 10, 2005 | 06:16 AM

ddavidv

Posting Guru

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,836

Likes: 3

From: Elizabethtown, PA

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.

Jul 10, 2005 | 10:48 PM

stil190

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 54

Likes: 0

292 engine trouble. Need new engine.

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

Jul 11, 2005 | 05:28 AM

ddavidv

Posting Guru

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,836

Likes: 3

From: Elizabethtown, PA

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.

Jul 11, 2005 | 09:14 AM

66beater

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 446

Likes: 0

From: Texas

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.