I have a 61 F100. My son and I are going to start building it up this summer. We are wanting to put in a biiiiiig motor. Something that say Oh yeah, thats nice. I understand there will be alot of work to do this, modifying and all. What do you guys suggest for motors?

 

If you want physically BIIIIIIIIIG, try looking at a 472 or 534. These motors were used in fire trucks and OTR type vehicles where diesel was not wanted. They were NEVER made for pickups, but you might be able to make one fit with LOTS of modifications. These motors are HEAVY and BIG.
If you want a smaller but BIIIG motor, go with an FE. They are a 90 degree Y design (but not part of the so-called earlier Y-block family), and will fit the engine compartment. They will fill your engine compartment too.
If you want BIIIIIG cubes, go with a 460. The are slightly smaller than an FE, but are more powerful for fewer dollars, as they are more recent engines. They were discontinued in '87 as carbed versions, but lasted until '97 as fuel injected versions. (I put an '86 460 in my '66 F-100.)

Finally, consider getting a mid-60s Y-block engine, designd for that truck. The 292 and 312 Y-blocks are easily configurable, and held their own as racing engines in their day.

Besides, if you are interested in the cool factor, it looks different. Since it was discontinued in '64, more than 40 years ago, you will a lot of ooooohs and aaahhhs when you show it off. Very few people will recognize it. Besides, you won't have to modify anything to get it to go in.

Good luck on whatever you choose.

 

FB, Since you have come here and asked the question, do you have time to pull a chair up to the table and start on a plan?

How do you plan on using the truck?
Would you consider a chassis swap for more choices?
What is your level of expertise? Will you be hands on or taking it out?
Next, Budget, How much money do you have to put into the project? This one has to go to the top of the list. Once we have a budget, we will know more answers.

There is no need to have a big motor and no money to finish the project.

John

 

As I see it, there realy are only 2 choices in Big motors. the FE series, and the 460. The FE's can be punched out to 446, but thats getting Very expensive. a 410 can be built for fairly cheap and will have monsterous torque and very low RPM, a 427 or 428 can be put in as well, they'll cost more, but you get what you pay for.

on the other hand, The 460 can be built over 500 inches, and it's a lighter weight engine. It can't be pushed as far as the FE, it doesn't make as much torque at low RPM either. 460s were never race engines, FEs were used in NASCAR and in GT40s and Shelbys at LeMons and Sebring. Its smaller displacement, but it's still a big block, and FEs will take that abuse of Blowers and Nitrus and High compression.

If you leave the two motors near stock, or only put moderate modifications into them, the 460 will win. But if you want to build a winning BIIIIIG motor, something between the 410 FE and the 446 FE is the way to go.

 

just curious what is stock in the truck?

 

For 1961 it would have been the 292 Y-Block. Or a 223 I6.

 

oh too bad it wasn't stock with an fe gives you a lot of options without changing trannies or mounts, oh well i would go bigger and more common than 292, as an fe fan i would personally recommend a 390, pretty easy to find and a lot of aftermarket out there, great motor

 

Right now we are just in the planning stage, and this project will last until he is a senior in high school. Right now he is a sophomore.
We are going to use it just to drive and show
Don't want to swap chassis.
I can do most anything on a vehicle. Not an expert though.
Budget? Over time
The project will get finished, just over time.
Our plan is to tear down to the frame, sandblast and paint. Then we will go from there. While the frame is away, that is when we are going to get the engine ready. I like the thought of the 390. I had one in a 67 Galaxie, and I loved that motor. The more information I get the better it helps. Thanks Guys

 

http://www.mustangandfords.com/techarticles/15999/

i found that very useful for learning about the fe engine series, which parts were best, interchanging parts, etc. if you lean towards 390 read it a couple times, i probably read it 5 times since i was given the link lol