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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Engine Swap

Old Aug 3, 2005 | 12:38 PM
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Engine Swap

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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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 12:46 PM
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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.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 01:52 PM
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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.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 02:54 PM
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I going to stay all Ford. Were can I find engine adapter for 460 or evan a 351 for that 1960 year truck?
 
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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 03:23 PM
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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.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2005 | 03:48 PM
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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!
 
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 06:06 AM
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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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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 10:02 AM
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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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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 10:10 AM
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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.
My vote would be for a 351W. Lots of aftermarket goodies, including superchargers and manifolds are available. You'll probably also want a serpentine setup for the accessories. If you put a 671 on there, you could get in the 700 hp range.

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.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 10:55 AM
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could i just get a 97 thunderbird and take the engine and tranny and rear axle?
 
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 11:08 AM
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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.
Can I have the 6-banger???

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
 
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 02:48 PM
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If you get the 97 T-bird it will have the 4.6 modular motor. That's a whole nother ball game.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 03:04 PM
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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
 
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Old Aug 6, 2005 | 06:55 PM
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what is involved in installing a 4.6?
Originally Posted by texasbob
If you get the 97 T-bird it will have the 4.6 modular motor. That's a whole nother ball game.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2005 | 06:56 PM
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Have you done a 4.6 swap in to a 55? what is involved?
 
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