The great thing would be to adapt a ford fuel injection system to that 500 caddy engine. That would be sweet. Then find and overdrive automatic to mate to it.. It could get great mileage. I mean they did well in those huge cars, but think about it.

 

Maybe a nice Saab 2 stroke 3 banger with a Nissan constant-velocity tranny! Don't forget a great big Ricer wing on the back!!

should get great gas mileage. And remember the yellow "R" sticker. They add about ten horse.

 

Well, well well, when the Kat is away the mice will play. First let me just say that I am almost in disbelief, that I have to defend Ford strengths to a group of supposed Ford enthusiasts. I never knock Gm or anyone elses products but you guys knock Fords left and right. That's fine if they deserve it but you guys are simply wrong. The 385 series (that's 370.429,460) engines are PREMIUM engine designs that were originally developed to power Lincolns and other heavy vehicles. Without a doubt these Fords hold some of the greatest potential in autodom. Stuff like bore spacing, deck height, cam to crank distance, intake port efficiency, shallow twisted valves (that allow pushrods to clear large ports and still maintain a tight comb chamber) and etc. If any of you care to investigate you might find that the big Ford's have been very successfull in every application they have been applied to. From heavy trucks to racing the 385's get it done. Furthermore the Boss versions have virtually owned the IHRA "mountain motor" pro- stock class for some time. Only recently have the GM and DCX racers caught up and that is by virtue of them adopting a Boss style cyl head onto their engines. Enough about the exotic stuff, how about what the average guy can do in his garage. The 460 was available from Ford from 1968 to 1997 and as such is available in vast numbers which brings the price down. I picked up a DOVE 460 for 150 bucks and have seen many complete running Lincolns in the 500 dollar range. The argument above states that Caddy uses high nickle content in the blocks for better wear characteristics which I don't doubt is true. The thing is that all contemporary Ford engine use hi spec iron formulas not just high end engines. I'm sure you are all aware that Ford was a leading pioneer in "thin-wall" casting techniques. One of the aspects of these casting techniques is the use of high grade iron.

Someone else mentions adapting Ford fuel injection to the Caddy. My question is why??? Ford offered an F.I. 460 right from the factory in the trucks. Why would someone find a Caddy engine, install it in a Ford then adapt Ford fuel injection and valvecovers to it. Don't make sense, but then I have'nt been drinking much tonight.

Lastly a couple seem to take offense to my replys by saying well it's his vehicle and let him put in whatever he wants, and things like that. Let me once again remind you that the original poster was soliciting opinions and I gave mine. I'm so sorry to have offended the fragile sensibilitys of some of you. Maybe I have struck a nerve, or maybe not, I don't see a bunch of Ford freaks running to be by my side. These are only cars after all, just cold hunks of metal that don't know what's beating away under the hood. Truely what does it matter, it's only just another thing that is a shame.

 

Henry you have a lot of good information there and you state your position well. You say you may have stuck a nerve but reading over the thread it seems that you are the one who is sensitive about his position.

My first engine swap was putting Porche running gear in a Fiat 600. The Fiat engine was blown and the Porche was wrecked so why not? It was fun, it was dangerous, it did wheelstands and it was an experience that I truly enjoyed and will never forget. I'm sure some Porche freaks would be upset but this was so long ago that there just wasn't a Porche cult like there is today.

Caroll Shelby did a similar thing with putting a Ford V-8 in an AC and started a whole new cult doing just what you are complaining about.

 

Right on, Bdox. I don't think that anybody is saying that either engine is better. We could waste a week and 2 cases of adult beverages arguing about the benefits of one engine over another. I think that Ford makes great engines. The question wasn't about which was better, just if it was wrong to put a Caddy in a Ford. My OPINION is that it's not a big deal. Others feel differently. The point is that he wants to possibly do the swap and wants some feedback. Maybe folks shouldn't take this so personally.

 

Well i have decided on keeping the 223 in the guy. All the input here is greatly apreciated and i learned alot too that i didnt even ask to (Thanks for that Henry Floord). Reason being i just dont think i can get rid of the old six becouse it starts too easy and it makes for a good practical truck too. Thanks everybody...

 

One thing for sure,its alot easier to put a GM motor into other vehicles than the other way around. seems theres more interchangeability among parts for their stuff than anybody else. at least it always seemed that way to me.

 

didnt engine,tranny,body, axle swaps start in the 30s and 40s with the "hot rod cars"? where you had a bath tub body and stuff the biggest engine in it and the strongest axle you could find? regardless of make or model! to each his own. if it makes that particular person happpy so be it. would i do it my-self no. would i hold ill will towards some one that did, no. in america on the bill of rights it states "persuit of happyness" and if cross-breeding makes you happy then do it. besides AMC did this with all their cars. they rarely developed their own engine. mostly "borrowed" GM or Ford or DC engine/tranny designs and put it in their cars. around my area they are dubbed the Hienz 57 of the auto industry.

 

Frakenbronco, I am not quite sure what you are referring to when you say Amc did not develop their own engines, they are still using an AMC six in Jeep Wranglers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Straight-6_engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_V8_engine
and their V8 was such a versatile engine it went from 304 to 401cubic inches with one block..
They did use a lot of outside suppliers for transmissions, electrical and fuel delivery systems, but those are not engines per se.

MEPR I am glad to hear you stuck with the original engine. Think of it simply in economic terms if you must, If you ever HAD to sell the thing, you can definitely get more than a handful of magic beans, selling it with the original engine. With some foreign engine, that probably is not so likely.Think of it in terms of a Mustang without a Ford Engine. The Slicks, like your truck, are of the Mustang era... so the mindset of buyers is the same.

The controversy over sticking in a GM engine rises from so many people slapping a 350/350 in old Ford bodies, but nowhere near the numbers in reciprocal. Ford guys are definitely tired of seeing this, and GM, Dodge, and yes, even AMC guys will blow a gasket if it happens to them. Imagine an original Hemi Cuda, or a 390 AMX with a 350/350 combo. Heck I'd blow a gasket, and I sure ain't no Dodge guy!

 

I beg to differ bud. AMC had their own engine designs until the early 80's when they did start outsourcing. Whoever dubs them the 'Heinz 57' needs to research a little more and stop going on hearsay. They did use the GM TH tranny's, and I think they may have used Motorcraft carbs for awhile, but I don't think they EVER used anything DC, but I may be wrong. What I do know is that they had their own engine designs, and they were their own company.. not a 'Heinz 57, threw together from whatever they had laying around'

 

Well Ringo beat me to it.

 

AMC used chrysler ignition parts.

Henry, let me ask you why not? Everyone does big block ford and big block chevy. Why not dare to be different. A 500 caddy motor with an adapted 460 injection system would simply be an easy way to get horsepower and fuel economy.

 

ya know i was just thinking about earlier coments, about this going the other way. I know for fact EVERY Chevy guy whants a Ford component, the 9". My dad is a die hard Chevy guy and before i parted out my 82 F150 he told me if i dont let him have the 9" there will be problems

 

I can't believe what I just read. I'm a purist to the bone, and I can't comprehend why someone would want to throw a 500 in their Ford. I can't stand the idea.

Anyone know what a RB26DET is? It's an engine...from Nissan. A Skyline engine.
Now, guess what car the engine was put in? I bet you can't even imagine this one...

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/3096/rbmustang13gt.jpg
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/9872/rbmustang28rk.jpg
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/3863/rbmustang34cx.jpg
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/4...ustang47dv.jpg

...that's right...a '67 Mustang. This car was done for the future Fast and the Furious 3 movie. It's also the reason I will NOT be seeing this movie.
I couldn't believe it when I saw that done. A Skyline engine in a Mustang. I had feelings of hatred for the evil scum behind this.

I know this is an extreme example...but it follows the same principle. You just don't throw stray engines into Fords. You could easily bore and stroke the 460 out a 511, or even bigger, and achieve massive power outputs. 600hp+ is nothing for a 460. The 385 Series engines were extremely durable, and reliable, so longevity would not be a problem. Decent fuel mileage is achievable with any engine...you just have to tune it accordingly. Cams go a long way.
I hate seeing old '30's era Ford Roadsters with GM 350's in them. It sickens me. I don't care how cheap it is. I figure, if you're going to take the time to do a restoration like that, do it properly.

That all been said, I do believe it to be sacralage. Keep it Ford. I'm glad you've decided to go that route in the end...but your original post indicates that you are willing to go either way, which is something I do not recomend.

 

The point here is he has the motor laying around, and it apparently runs.

The Ford needs a motor. He's already decided not to do it because he probably see visions of someone torching the thing because it has a Caddy motor in it.

It's not like he's taking a collectable, ripping out a numbers-matching motor and putting a dead caddy motor in it... sheesh...