Engine Swap
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Breckenridge, Minn.
Engine Swap
During the past year I came into a 68 F-250. Because of the sentimental value I will be redoing the truck. With the price of fuel the way it is now I wish to rebuild the 390 or transplant another power plant in it. I have in mind to get a fuel injected 351 out of a 88 or newer truck and put that in but I am also interested in putting a 400 in it for the fact that I wish to tow a fifth wheel and boat with the truck. I am also interested in installing an AOD tranny in the truck to asist in better fuel mileage. What are the pros and cons on the different engines? I realize the rear end gears will have to be changed as well to complete the power package. What combinations will work well? Thanks for your input.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ohio
Tow a fifth wheel AND boat? WIth only a small block? I would not go that route. Find a wrecked 1 ton(bout a mid 90's) with 460 FI, overdrive and drop it in. Leave about a 3.73 gear out back and it should get "some" kind of mileage. My '96 F350 (4.10 gear) would get 10 mpg uphill, downhill and 7 mpg towing 40ft trailer.
The 400 is just not a worthwhile motor in my mind, especially to work it that hard. If you're going to put a motor in it....put a real motor to pull something.
Of course you could just rework the 390 and do the same work. It might work a bit harder than the 460, but would outlast a 400 in the long run(just my opinion).
There are fellows on here that work their 390's pretty hard and have no issues...except putting fuel in it!!! LOL!! Just can't seem to get away from that no matter what.
The 400 is just not a worthwhile motor in my mind, especially to work it that hard. If you're going to put a motor in it....put a real motor to pull something.
Of course you could just rework the 390 and do the same work. It might work a bit harder than the 460, but would outlast a 400 in the long run(just my opinion).
There are fellows on here that work their 390's pretty hard and have no issues...except putting fuel in it!!! LOL!! Just can't seem to get away from that no matter what.
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
This maybe a little off the top but sounds like a Power Stroke transplant could be the answer depending on what and how often the towing is being done. For towing power and some fuel mileage it could be the answer. Of course this will depend on cost and what can be found in the area. Sometimes a wrecked later model F250/350 can be obtained at salvage auctions which is good as all the parts come in one package and the rest can be sold to recoupe some of the cost. I have a rebuilt 390/ 4speed in my 71 F350 and pulling a heavy trailer is hard, the fuel does go pretty fast with the 4.10 gears. Had a 89 F350 with the 7.3 and that was much better power and a little better on fuel.
Last edited by Fomoko1; Aug 31, 2005 at 01:58 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Maggie Valley, NC
Dont go with a 400, they will overheat easily if they've been bored out. If I was pulling, then I'd go with a 429/460. The 360/390's just dont have the power like the 429/460's. Just keep in mind, you'll pass everything but a gas station!
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From: Breckenridge, Minn.
The old addage of if you're going to play you have to pay comes to mind at this time. The old 390 is tired and it has the granny low tranny and 4.10 rear gears at this time. 8 miles to the gallon won't do at this time. Back in 68 and gas was .32 a gallon it was okay but I wish to do better. The C-6 tranny is probably the best choice but are the AODs able to work when in 3rd gear only? The OD is for when the truck is runing on its own. As for the 400 I have a machinist that says the 4X4 measurements of the cylinders make for a good torquey engine. That is the only reason I am considering it.
I have a 88 F150 with a fuel injected 351, C-6 tranny and rear gears in the mid threes. It may be an option to consider.
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I have a 88 F150 with a fuel injected 351, C-6 tranny and rear gears in the mid threes. It may be an option to consider.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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My first real, (fullsize), truck was a '79 F-250. Had a stock 400M in it, 4 Spd. I ruined the NP and went to a T-18.
That was one tough engine, I hauled a loaded car trailer, (loaded with a '66 Cutlass), up the highway at 80MPH, (Ah, the days when I was brave and/or dumb enough to haul a trailer at 80), and she never broke a sweat.
A buddy of mine had a fresh 390 in his '73 F-250 and he could never catch up to me on the freeway.
The thing got 12MPG too, not too bad for a heavy over-smogged, (CA emissions), 3/4 ton with a youngster driving.
Say what bad things you might about the 400, but it was a great one for me. Wish I kept that truck.
That was one tough engine, I hauled a loaded car trailer, (loaded with a '66 Cutlass), up the highway at 80MPH, (Ah, the days when I was brave and/or dumb enough to haul a trailer at 80), and she never broke a sweat.
A buddy of mine had a fresh 390 in his '73 F-250 and he could never catch up to me on the freeway.
The thing got 12MPG too, not too bad for a heavy over-smogged, (CA emissions), 3/4 ton with a youngster driving.
Say what bad things you might about the 400, but it was a great one for me. Wish I kept that truck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 964
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From: Roseburg, OR
I know plenty of punched out 400s that do not overheat while towing pretty hefty loads. I'd suggest you visit the appropriate forum for each engine you're thinking of and look at peoples' setups. Interestingly, there doesn't seem to be a lot of communication between the various engine forums on this board, so actually looking at what various people have done in each forum seems like a good idea.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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I can get ya a 370 school bus engine. Remove the adapter plate and a C-6 will bolt up. The waterpump and belt set-up will have to be changed though. It has 2 power steering pumps to run the hydroboost brakes and a huge waterpump.
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From: Near Fresno, California
I love FEs, they are the only engine I would consider if I had some work that needed doing. That being said, I would not be afraid of the 400 - I used one in a 1 ton farm truck one time. They had blown up a new ford F450 pulling a gooseneck loaded with hogs in the wilds of Colorado and that was the only other truck available that had the vacuum brakes required by the trailer.
I hooked onto that trailer and took it over some of the worst passes Colorado has - it was so bad that I was one and a half hours in low gear pulling the last bit of Rabbit Ears pass. Even in granny low the truck would power out and almost stall while climbing some of the switchbacks. The transmission got so hot you could not hold your hand on the shift lever.
The engine was underpowered, but it never missed a beat the entire time, and did not overheat. When we finally got to a scale I discovered we were over 40K gross.
I wouldn't want a 400, but you can't say they are weak at heart - I worked the dog stuff out of that engine!
I hooked onto that trailer and took it over some of the worst passes Colorado has - it was so bad that I was one and a half hours in low gear pulling the last bit of Rabbit Ears pass. Even in granny low the truck would power out and almost stall while climbing some of the switchbacks. The transmission got so hot you could not hold your hand on the shift lever.
The engine was underpowered, but it never missed a beat the entire time, and did not overheat. When we finally got to a scale I discovered we were over 40K gross.
I wouldn't want a 400, but you can't say they are weak at heart - I worked the dog stuff out of that engine!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Breckenridge, Minn.
Had a friend donate his 71 F250 to the cause today. It has a 360 with a C-6 tranny. Also discovered that I too have a 360 in my truck. At this point I can go with a 400 or rework the 360 that is in it to whatever I want it to be. Thanks for the input.
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