Just bought my econoline and was wondering if someone can tell my engine size by my vin#? E16JH666559. Also I know everyone ask this question but what is the easiest small block V-8 engine swap. I'm hoping to do as little cutting as I have to. Thanks for the info!

 

Hey Nookie, Welcome aboard FTE The best truck site on the net.

You answer should be coming up shortly.

John

 

your vin is running through the secret decoder ring in my desk right now, should have it done tonight or tomorrow. send me the 3 lines from the data plate and i can get a little more info for ya!

easiest v8 swap is not easy. small block is the easiest, and it is still a lot of work.
200 is the biggest bolt in for the small six, 300 is it for the 240 trucks and vans.


jim

 

here's your vin breakdown.

E16 = Econoline van extended
J = 240 engine
H = Lorain plant
666559 = March 1965 serial # (1965 model)


jim

 

You're in luck. A 65 240 Econoline has all the stuff to make a simple swap. I just finished compiling engine swap info from the Old Econolines Yahoo group. I hope it helps

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...nolines/files/

With a 240, basically you can drop a 300, 289, or 302 in with little modification. The mounts will need to be slightly modified for a v8, but not a real big deal. Of course... I haven't actually done the swap, but from everything I've read on it, it's not too hard. In the document I posted above there are links to 2 articles on swapping in v8s specifically.

If you had a 144/170 van, you'd be in for a lot more work.

 

Thanks for the info I appreciate it. In regards to a engine swap a came across a web site www.fordsixparts.com that are doing alot of sweet stuff to inline six's. Turbo and alot of other stuff. May be able to get the horsepower I'm looking for without the V-8 swap.

 

since your van has the 240 in it, i say stick with the six, and swap in a 300. also check out www.fordsixparts.com mike is starting to build an inventory of parts for the big six as well as the small six.

 

You do realize that you are:

1. riding on a front solid axle that is not all that different from what the Romans used on their chariots;
2. braking with brakes that are undersized even in the short wheelbase van; and
3. driving a brick with the directional stability of a drunken sailor.

All the horsepower in the world is not going to solve these problems.

Speed + 61-67 Econoline = Organ Donor

 

you forgot

sitting in front of a plate glass window with no seat belts



FWIW, a disc brake conversion is pretty straight forward. I think 67 vans even had discs. They did have a dual MC.

 

nobody mentioned being the first one to the wreck!


jim

 

Hey, this is a great site, thanks for the feedback, especially jschira LOL. Ya Know he is right, it truely is a brick rolling down the road. Anyway I've got a cracked block so I'm going to yank it and completely go through the whole thing and I'm going to beef it up but hopefully not to the point of doing a face plant in the front windshield. I'm going to stick with the original engine thats in it. Thanks for the replies.

 

Correction! I typed I had a cracked block but I have a cracked head. Don't want a cracked block.

 

Pop a 240 or a 300 in your van. Either one will have plenty of stink for you and you won't have to modify the doghouse.

 

he HAS a 240, so obviously, a 240 will drop right in , but so will a 300 since they're the same block

 

Look on my gallery the white truck. Guy hit a pole. He smashed the windsheild out and dented the dash and bent the steering wheel. No interior shots.
The passenger side area of the windsheild now stands higher than the left side.
Bought this truck from the insurance company.