engine swap
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
engine swap
I have a 2wd 78 f100 w/300 & 3spd manual. THe body & frame are pretty rough & the motor is excellent w/new rebuild. What years will this motor drop right into? I am looking for a truck with a great body & a bad motor. I will probably look for a c6 or 4spd. 2wd or 4wd, I'd just like to use this motor!
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
should drop in at LEAST 74-79. Steering column is diff from 74-77, so you will need to find another or go with whatever tranny is in the new body. If you have motor mounts, bell housing, etc, should go in dang near anything from about 67 - 86.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,890
Likes: 9
From: La Verne, California
Earlier than that, as the 240c.i. I-6, the predessor of the 300c.i. I-6, came out in I believe '61. 
So you can find an early '60s body style that had/has a 240 I-6 in it & go from there, if you wish to of course.
So you can find an early '60s body style that had/has a 240 I-6 in it & go from there, if you wish to of course.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway, Virginia
I guess at this point I will have to act as umpire here because there are a couple of very different answers to Strokin's question. Long story short 312 has both the shortest and most accurate answer. Anything 65 and up will accept the later model engine with no modification.
Also the 240/300 series engines were both introduced in 1965. No pre 65 truck will accept a 240 or 300 without major modification. Now someone can check me on all this but I feel like this is the story, and I'm stickin with it......
Also the 240/300 series engines were both introduced in 1965. No pre 65 truck will accept a 240 or 300 without major modification. Now someone can check me on all this but I feel like this is the story, and I'm stickin with it......
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
1965 was the first year for the 240/300, 1964 and earlier had the 223/262 six. The fuel injected 300 that came out in '86 have different heads. The early '80s might have a different cam shaft but other than swapping extarnal emission equipment the engine would still bolt in a early 80s truck.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
correction... efi started for the 300 in 87.... The motor mounts change slightly from model to model from the sixties to the eighties so u may have to get different mounts, but that should be easy. you may also need to take the wiring harness from your donor truck since they used so many different ignition systems with the 300 over the years, thus if u get an 86 truck to drop your motor into the ignition won't just plug right in.
Last edited by bigbrown84truck; Oct 31, 2005 at 12:24 AM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer