Ok, don't even have the truck yet, but if (when) I get it I need to replace the I6 that's in it. It's a 66 Stepside 4x4 with a 240 I6, manual trans, divorced T-case and 4.56 gears. I was thinking of a 300 I6, but I know where there is a 289 2v collecting dust that ran well before getting pulled. I'm sure I can get it real cheap.

What do you think? I'm sure it's better then the 350 chevy motor that was in it before the 240...

Thanks,
David

 

I like the Idea of that 300 I6, should be a good motor. Lots of torqe for a 4x4. 289 is a car motor, it won't do much for a 4x4. All horsepower at High RPMs, no torque to get you moving.

If its a V8 you want, 352s, 360s, and better still, 390s are cheap and plentiful.

 

I'd go with the 300 myself.

 

I agree with 66 beater; the 300 is far better of a choice; also it will be an easy swap due to direct bolt up compare to 289; if a V-8 is your only option I would also recommend going bigger than a 289; I put a 302 into my 65 and boy for all the time and money I wish I would opt for more horsepower from a 360 or up. I'm going to built a 59 4x4 with a 292 v-8 now; going to switch it out for a 300 due to pulling torque and over all performance a 300 provides.

But if you don't have a choice; than any motor is better than no motor.

Mitch

 

I love the idea of a 300 I6, but I'm thinking about cost. I know the 289 isn't the best for a truck, but it does have 4.56 gears... Also by cheap I mean less then $100. It was rebuilt and doesn't have a ton of miles on it (14k maybe). Also that would be complete from the 2 barrel carb to the oil pan, plugs and wires... Might even be able to talk him out of it for free to get it out of the shop...

I knew I should have saved the 300 from my 83... I was going to pull it, but no one that I asked wanted it. Even for free. Everyone asked "is it EFI?" when I said no, they said no... It's probably a toyota by now...

We'll see... Would I get killed if I thought about putting a 390hp chevy 350 that I have from an old Chevelle?

David

 

Yeah, I'm afraid we'd have to string you up for that.

So to redeem yourself you best start talking Ford again and if you must put the 289 in you may until you come across a 300.

 

I'm with Chevy Eater; Its time to get out the bull whip; Just Kidding maybe?
I'm an old Shade Tree Mechanic with alot of leaves missing; but I think alot of converison headaches lay ahead for a piece of gm junk to be put into your truck; especially for the price you mention for a 289.
Again your truck your life;

I use to use an old saying "The beatings will continue until Morale Improves" where's my bull whip.

Mitch

 

Well relax, I'm not going to use the 350... Just thought I'd test the water though

I was thinking 300 till I remembered my one cousin complaining about the 289 that this guy was storing at his shop. He pulled it to put a 428 in a Mustang and was supposed to take it, then he asked my cousin to sell it. No takers at $350... I'm pretty sure if I offered to take it he'd tell the guy to get it now or he's giving it to me... I know the guy who's motor it is and he has no use for it and once he knows it's me he may say take it... Although I expect he'll say $50 or $100... I drove the car the motor was in and it ran real well...

Would it bolt to the I6 bell house? Or will I need one? I can get one that was in another Mustang (same guy... he's building two 428 Mustangs, 1 auto, 1 stick...). It was a 289 car also, and that motor's avalible too, but I never heard it run... It's a shame someone bought the one that has 800 miles on a .030 rebuild...

Real funny thing is this cousin doesn't like Fords... And he's tripping over 289's... And C4's and toploaders...

Anyway, thanks for the help and I'll work on keeping my Fords all ford...

David

 

With those gears, the 289 would be my choice. The 300 is a low RPM/high torque engine. Unless you drive at 40 mph all the time, the truck will not be driven in the optimum RPM range for a 300. If it were my truck, I would add an AOD transmission instead of whatever is there. You would get decent gas mileage because of the overdrive, don't need a computer to run it, but still have big low end torque with the 4.56 gears.

 

Don't care too much about gas mileage as it's going to be a winter truck for local driving. 90% of my driving would be under 50... My 86 has an AOD and I usually keep it locked out because it hunts at 45 - 50... In and out of OD and there's enough slop in the drive train that it clunks in and out when it does it. It's fine on the highway and I usually drive at 65 - 70... Hey it runs and was $600... Actually it came from the cousin that doesn't like Fords... he didn't want it. His loss is my gain.

Trucks got a manual (not sure if it's a 3spd or 4spd) and I like it that way. I'd be more interested in a 5spd then an AOD... Just my taste, but thanks for the idea of OD...

David

 

Chevy motor? get a rope, lets string him up!

Just kidding. We don't really Hang for Chevy transplants. No, really, I swear. Honest. Thats my story, and I'm sticking to it.

if it's 4x4, the transmission should be either a T98 or a NP435. If it's the T98, you're going to have a problem with motor mounts and a 289. T98 has no provision for a rear mount, and used a single motor mount on the nose of the engine with 2 mounts on the bell housing. With the NP435, they did the same, But you may be ok. if it has the tail housing that accepts a rear mount, it can be adapted to normal motor mounts

Either way, you may want to consider the cost of mounts in terms of engine choice. the 289/302 was never stock in these trucks, and there are no junkyard mounts for adapting one. you'll need to either build mounts, or buy a kit. They do make them, but they ain't cheap.

 

My '66 has a 289, or did have until this past fall. Now it's a '94 roller cam 302. The 289 was fine for what I do with the truck, which is to occasionally haul loads of up to 50 pounds. A bell housing should be easy to find. I picked up an extra one for good measure. Mine came with a 352 but the previous owner had the 289 installed in the early eighties. Whoever installed it welded in home made brackets to bolt the motor mounts to. It looks pretty simple.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...icture2289.jpg

 

If the 289 was pre-65?, it will have a 5 bolt bellhousing. The 240 should have a 6 bolt bellhousing. Also, you will need a rearsump oilpan from a 4x4. Either early Bronco or 4x4 F150 with 302's.
If it was me, I would get a 300 and drop in there. No modifications needed. I have loved every 300 I ever had. actually wish my 66 had one instead of that built 390.

 

if the 289 is 65 and up it will bolt to your 240 bell,you must use a 289 flywheel,or any small block fylwheel except 81 and up 302.

 

everyone has gone around this subject the 240 is a great engine if you must have the 300 rebuild the 240 with the 300 crank and rods. the 240 is a 300 with a different stroke. I love my 240 and 3 speed I just dont like the topend. the 240 and 300 are low rpm engines. I am keeping the 240 in mine and changing the rear gearing to something closer to 3.0 whichever way you go good luck