1970 F-500 engine
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1970 F-500 engine
"I'm looking at buying a 1970 F-500 bus next week. It has a v8 and a 4 speed manual, the engine smokes so we're going to rebuild it. Any ideas as to what kind of engine it might be? The bus itself is small, about 20 feet long (I don't know if that would limit the engine availability). Also, what other engines would bolt up to that transmission? "
I posted this in the 67-72 forum, and I was told it could be a 330, a 359, a 361, or a 391 and to ask here. Any clues as to tell what kind of engine it is? Also, I'm going to be using the bus to tow my jeep, are these engines torquey enough to do the job, or would I be better off putting a larger engine in there (i.e. 460)
Thanks
Chris
I posted this in the 67-72 forum, and I was told it could be a 330, a 359, a 361, or a 391 and to ask here. Any clues as to tell what kind of engine it is? Also, I'm going to be using the bus to tow my jeep, are these engines torquey enough to do the job, or would I be better off putting a larger engine in there (i.e. 460)
Thanks
Chris
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From: Texas
It is probably an FT engine, those that you listed. they are similar to the FE Engines 360,390,428 etc. You cold probably use the same transmission with an FE, with some minor mods, I could be mistaken, I'm not to familiar with the manual transmissions.
A 390 would make a good engine nd would be an easier swap than a 460. A 428 would be a great choice, but they are getting pricey. then there is a 410, which is an FE 390 bore with a 428 stroke.
As for what you have. You can get some casting codes off the block, intake and heads and these guys can start getting ideas. But, to realy know what you got you need to tear it down, measure the bore and stroke or ID the crank.
A 390 would make a good engine nd would be an easier swap than a 460. A 428 would be a great choice, but they are getting pricey. then there is a 410, which is an FE 390 bore with a 428 stroke.
As for what you have. You can get some casting codes off the block, intake and heads and these guys can start getting ideas. But, to realy know what you got you need to tear it down, measure the bore and stroke or ID the crank.
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If the engine were a 361, would we just use parts from a 360 to rebuild it? My friend is going to be doing most of the engine work - he does it professionally. The bus is not here so I don't / haven't found out yet exactly what is in it.
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From: Texas
you can't share too many parts between the two engines. the cranks are slightly different, the distributor mounting is different, the intake, heads, valves and pistons are all setup to run very low compression and very low flow on an FT. I'm thinking you could start with the block and build an FE from there.
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Post Fiend
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What I would advise that you do, is go to the junkyard and find a 390 FE engine. Any will do, either a car or a truck FE. Preferrably one with a 4 barrel intake manifold though. You want the crank, rods, timing cover, heads, intake, flexplate, balancer, and some other things I cant remember now. So just get the whole thing. Then rebuild your FT as an FE. Come back for recommendations when you find out what's in it. Now that I think about it, you may have to use the FE block too, since the distributor hole is larger on the FT's.
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We're going to pull the engine in the next couple of weeks to figure out what it is, what we're gonna do with it, etc. We're considering swapping in a new (reman) engine as opposed to re-building this one. At that time I will be able to get casting numbers, etc. off the block. One question I had was, are the bellhousings the same between a 361-360-390? The transmission in there is huge (though, I'm a jeep guy, so, everything on the bus is huge 
) with a non-syncro granny low, the pattern is:
1-3-R
2-4
and it has a pinion mounted e-brake. Because of the e-brake itself, I don't want to swap the transmission because of the fabrication needed to attach that brake to a new transmission. It has a rockwell axle and drums all around. If anyone has any idea as to what tranny it might be, that'd be great. We just got it running again this weekend (replaced all the fuel lines) Thanks again for your help.
Chris Russell
) with a non-syncro granny low, the pattern is:1-3-R
2-4
and it has a pinion mounted e-brake. Because of the e-brake itself, I don't want to swap the transmission because of the fabrication needed to attach that brake to a new transmission. It has a rockwell axle and drums all around. If anyone has any idea as to what tranny it might be, that'd be great. We just got it running again this weekend (replaced all the fuel lines) Thanks again for your help.
Chris Russell
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From: Brentwood,CA
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From: washington
I say stick with the eng you have, they are built for pulling and I doubt a ring kit is much more expensive, valves would be a different story. take a close look at the smoking problem, maybe a re-ring? One tip comes to mind, make sure the oil return holes in the heads aren't plugged. The valve stem seals get old, break, and cause blockage and the oil will back up to the valve stems.
If you are serious about a nice ride down the road you might think about a two speed rear end. I'm sure the bus doesn't have one and it would really give it legs.
Also, if you're are pulling a trailer those rigs ride stiff and will bounce the tounge quite a bit. Think about a cusioned reciever or (if it were me and I were really seriouse) an air bag suspension in back. If you're a jeeper you should know how to scrounge something up.
Had a 48 2-A with L-head, dual V-W Solex carbs and tri-y header, Warn O/D in 1980
If you are serious about a nice ride down the road you might think about a two speed rear end. I'm sure the bus doesn't have one and it would really give it legs.
Also, if you're are pulling a trailer those rigs ride stiff and will bounce the tounge quite a bit. Think about a cusioned reciever or (if it were me and I were really seriouse) an air bag suspension in back. If you're a jeeper you should know how to scrounge something up.
Had a 48 2-A with L-head, dual V-W Solex carbs and tri-y header, Warn O/D in 1980