Engine Swap
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
What brand of bigblock do you want to use? I believe the 60 used the same 34" frame rail spacing as the 53-59. If so, then any mounts etc designed for these years should work. The 460 Ford is a popular swap due to availabilty/cost (and the "Tim Taylor" syndrome?), but is not any more powerful than the 351 small block.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
I do hope you stay Ford - big block is a che**y term. Their big blocks suck. The 385 series (429/460) with a C6 tranny is a popular swap, as is the FE series - (390/427/428).
You can also get a lot of horsepower out of the peanut motors - the 289/302/351 V8s. They make a nice conversion and are readly available - but in the end there is no replacement for displacement.
For myself, it has always been "go big or stay at home" - so my 59 is going back stock with the six/4 speed like you now have. I don't want to have to feed the horses you will get with the large V8s.
You can also get a lot of horsepower out of the peanut motors - the 289/302/351 V8s. They make a nice conversion and are readly available - but in the end there is no replacement for displacement.
For myself, it has always been "go big or stay at home" - so my 59 is going back stock with the six/4 speed like you now have. I don't want to have to feed the horses you will get with the large V8s.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 1
From: Earth
I'm glad you are staying all Ford! I just know when I looked at the engine bay on my '53, I thought, "there's alot of room in there for a big engine." Now with my 400 in there, it seems tiny. With your '60, you might have even more room. Which 351 are you considering, the M, W, or C's? As for locating a cross member, depending on your skill level and abilities, it's not too hard to build your own. I know that Mid-fifty has crossmembers for 351/400 class engines, (the 335 series engines), and possibly the 385 series as well. I'm not sure if they have them for your year truck or not though.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Measure your frame outside to outside if it's 34" any mounts for your engine choice in a mid fifties F100 should work. Check out the advertiser list on this site to start searching. Once you post a few posts (10?) the search function as well as several other features here will be available for your use, so post away!
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by nourse
I just bought a 1960 f100 with a six cylinder and 4 speed. I want to put a big block in it, what is the easiest and best conversion out there to do? I what to make a rat ride out of her.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 90
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From: utah
which is a good motor to put a twin screw supercharger?. i am going full hot rod custom and the only thing i know are GM motors no one on my street owned a ford. i was actually made fun of a few times for letting it be known i wanted one.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Originally Posted by NDspeed
which is a good motor to put a twin screw supercharger?. i am going full hot rod custom and the only thing i know are GM motors no one on my street owned a ford. i was actually made fun of a few times for letting it be known i wanted one.
Another good candidate might be a 5.0. Not as much torque, but it will scream and even more stuff is available for the pony block.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by nourse
I just bought a 1960 f100 with a six cylinder and 4 speed. I want to put a big block in it, what is the easiest and best conversion out there to do? I what to make a rat ride out of her.
I eventually want to remove the non-stock 292 V8 and return to the straight six. That's plenty of ponys for me and my phityfive.
Brian
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 6
From: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
If you are going to keep the original front suspension, then you can get a universal front crossmember mount that you either bolt or weld between the frames. You will more than likely have to get rid of the rear crossmember and get a new tranny crossmember. This is probably the easiest way to mount a engine in these trucks.
Dennis Carpenter has a whole bunch of different front crossmember kits for different engines to fit these trucks. Probably all the other parts suppliers do also, so check out a few and see who has the best price.
rgds
Mike
Dennis Carpenter has a whole bunch of different front crossmember kits for different engines to fit these trucks. Probably all the other parts suppliers do also, so check out a few and see who has the best price.
rgds
Mike
