Hi all: Need compatibility advice on 300 swap.

Here's what I have:
1974 f250 4X4 with 360 cu in. Want to swap in an I6 300.

Here's what's available to me:
1) 1976 I6 300 from 4X4, to include mounts and bell housing to NP435. No carb or distributor, cracked exhaust manifold.
2) 1982 I6 300, probably from 2X4, no mounts or bell housing. Complete.
3) possibly a 70's I6 300 HD, condition unknown now.

Questions:
1) If I use the 1982 2X4 engine, will the 1976 4X4 mounts bolt up to the engine and drop into the 1974 4X4? I assume I'll have to drill new mount holes in the frame.

2) If I use the 1982 2X4 engine, I'll have to find a 4X4 pan and pickup? Will the 1976 4X4 pan and pickup bolt into the 1982 2X4 engine?

3) If I use the 1982 2X4 engine, will it bolt up to the 1976 4X4 bell housing? Or, are I6 300 bell housing patterns the same from 1976 through 1982?

4) Any reason I should get a closer look at the 300 HD? Would it make a better swap engine? I know CR is lower than light duty and it may have a steel crankshaft vs forged. Intended use for truck is occasional commute and light offroading.

I'd use the 1976 engine and simplify things, but the 1982 is a better deal.

The sequence is: 1974 4X4 with NP435 - 1976 4X4 NP435 to I6 bell housing - 1982 I6 with 1976 4X4 mounts. Can this work?

Thanks for your input!

 

4x4 rubber mounts will bolt up to the 300...all of them. frame mounts will bolt up to rubber mounts, but the 360 4x4 frame mounts will have to move to the next set of bolt holes(if provided, as they were in my 79 bronco)since ya have the 76, they may work(hope it's a f250, also). The pan and pickup will bolt on. the 82 300 can be used by using the rear sump pan, use a duraspark II dist. setup, and any exhaust man., but I'd compare the 82 to the 76 to see if they have the same bends. The bellhousing will interchange with the 360's np435. You'r bellcrank and other linkage may need to come from a 300 6 truck, but I'm not sure....but that's likely the last thing to worry about. accelerator cable mounted to the firewall will need to be from a 300 6 truck, too. That should get ya going, til more specific q's come up. FWIW, I put a 2wd 86 F250 300 into my 79 bronco.

 

That must be a low torque monster havi. Way cool

 

you can use all of the 360's clutch linkage on the 300 except for the engine side pivot. the 300 uses a pivot that threads into the block while the 360 uses a bolt on bracket. But if you have the ball on any of the 300's, they swap right over.

After 1980 the 300 only has one style oil pan, but when you do the swap use the 82 oil pan and pickup for even more clearance at the front axle.

This swap'll be alot more straight forward than you're expecting.

Justin

 

Thanks Havi for your reply. My apologies for not responding sooner.

Didn't even consider using the 360 frame mounts for the I6, just assumed they woundn't fit and that I'd have to use the I6 mounts from the 76 and drill holes. What do you think of the HD I6? Is it a viable option if the price is right? Or is it a dog? I'll be rebuilding the engine anyway, with mild mods.

Hoxii, thanks for your input. I had considered clutch, radiator, and throttle cable hookups but decided to get the engine in and running before crossing that bridge. So the clutch info was welcome.

Thanks to you both and I'll post progress as it happens.