I have a '61 F-100 project AND a '68 F-350 project. The '61 is a flare-bed with a dying 223 engine and was to be for my wife's use. She "inherited" an uncle's GMC S-15 and now I have too many trucks. The F-350 project is the one I want to get to work on, but I'd like to get as least some of my $$$ out of the '61.

I have several engine choices on hand to replace the 223, but would like to have some help:

What makes a '61 F-100 most marketable: a 390-2V or a 240?

Both are good-running engines. Post comments or just vote - help me with this decision.

P.S.: For more info on the truck see my FTE classified ad at:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/classifi...t=14896&cat=17

 

If understand correctly, the 61 already has the 6 cyl., and if so, it would likely be less involved enchanging engines; whereas, with the 390ci you would need to swap out not only engine but rest of the power trane. In addition, with cost of petro lately would think having the 6 would be a selling point, a classic work horse and economical, how much better can it get. For what it's worth $.02. Have the 390ci 'the hog' in 65 F100 and there is no comparison to my other 65 w/ small V8 in gas milage. Athough, with the 390, and at my age, bladder is only good for 100mi's or tank of gas, which ever comes first.

dave

 

I would think it would be easier to find an engine mount kit for the 390. I don't think the 240 will bolt up, and I've never seen a 6 cylinder engine mount kit. I'm toying w/ the idea of a 300 for my '64, just cuz I'm weird, but the 302 I have would probably have better re-sale, and be easier to mount. It seems like most people who buy a vintage truck either want it stock and original, or hot rodded.

 

Dave,

Thanks for the comments. I have been going round & round on this. For me, there is no choice - I bought the 240 when I thought I was keeping the vehicle. (Once it is roadworthy, I still might have difficulty parting with it. I remember this vehicle when both it and my first driver's license were new.) On the other hand many people do not use a truck like this as a daily driver and might prefer the V-8. With the 3.00 third member that I can put in instead of the current 3.89, it should do OK on gas mileage for a 390.

There are really no running gear issues. The pickup as it is has the same 11" clutch, T-98 trans, & 9" rear end that my '65 had with its 390. I already have a truck bellhousing for the 390. The only issue is the front motor-mount system and whether I fab it myself or buy it, the cost is the same for the 6 or the 8. It really comes down to what helps it appeal to the most buyers, hence this poll.

P.S.: "At my age" my limitation is needing to get out and limber up, so I stop every 100 miles to stretch, even if there is no other reason. (I just *had* to join you in "geriatric" grumbling to drive the young guys nuts.)

 

Jay, You are correct.

On FTE I saw a post that said that Transdapt made an adaptor plate that would let me put the 240 onto my 223 bellhousing, but I have not been able to find it anywhere on the net. The 240 bellhousing would require me to fab some "ears" to use the old mounting system, or convert to the 3-speed (which I do have, including cross-member) to go with the modern system. No matter which engine I pick, I have to lay out $70 for a pre-fabbed conversion front mount or fab it myself.

 

I'd buy it with the 390 over a six banger, even though those 240's are stout little motors.

And FWIW, my dad's '66 F100 with a 390 4V and 3.00's gets about 15 MPG Highway.

 

I would have to say leave the 223 in it.

 

The problem with the 223 in the truck is that it has a bad bottom end - you can hear every rod. The original engine had the same problem and my first attempt to replace it got me exactly what I already had.

223's have a pretty weak crank by modern standards - 4 main bearings. I have owned a few that I loved. Even this one ran pretty well until it sat long enough to stick & then bend #6 exhaust valve. At this point, it would cost at least $500 to put it right enough that I would be willing to sell it as a running motor. I did advertise for a 223 in the FTE classified ads, but prices + transportation would have gone over $500.

I would trade my 240 staight across for a 223 in running order. If anyone near MD is interested, send me a PM.

 

I have a 65 F100 with 240, AND I cant wait to put the V8 I have in my tk.
I voted for the V8
Bill W

 

Years ago I took a perfectly good 223 out of a '64 and put in a 240. I went to a wrecking yard and took the side mounts for a 240 and bolted them to the frame of the '64. I also took the nice little 3 speed trans out and installed a big truck 4 speed. I worked out nicely and I drove it for several years until sadly, it was stolen and never recovered. This was 20 years ago, and since I have come to appreciate more stock configurations. I currently have 2 '66s both with the "big block" 6 cylinders. I really am a big fan of this engine. There are some very interesting strengths to this motor. A main bearing between every rod and gear driven cam. It also sounds pretty sweet with some nice exhaust. I strongly recommend a 6 cylinder for your project and I would even go so far to suggest you look into having your 223 rebuilt. At some point, I would think that might be the most valuable.

 

I am also a 240/300 fan & agree with you on their design features. I also like the heads with an identical port for each cylinder. The log intake manifold has its limitations, but I am bidding on an Offenhauser Dual Port on eBay right now. I am using the EFI exhaust, so that will be covered.

If I put my 390 in the truck I am going to sell, that leaves me with my 300 to put in my F-350 and my 240 for a backup engine to stick in while having fun modifying the 300. The poll seems to be saying that us I-6 fans are in the minority and selling anything is easier if you have what the majority wants.

I have had a lot of V-8's over the years - 256,292/312's, 260/289/302's, and 352/390's. I had two 223's in cars & three in trucks - they run sweet, but the last two have had problems due to the weak bottom ends. I want to sell my '61 clean, with no chance of a come-back, so it looks like the 390 is going in. Then I can have some I-6 fun on a Ford engine with a strong bottom end.

 

It looks as if the V-8 fans are clearly in the majority, but I'll wait to see what happens in the rest of the poll. I have all the parts to do a straight bolt-in of the 390 except the front motor mounts. While I could fab it myself I am thinking of using an aftermarket unit. There is so much demand for putting FE's into pre-'64 Ford pickups that the cross-member type mount using factory mid-engine mounts is only $70. I figure that a prospective buyer might be more comfortable with a bolt-in, factory made system, plus it would be $70 worth of time & materials to fab it myself. Anybody have any experience with speedwaymotors.com?

 

Jay,

Was your '64's original engine a 6 or 8? In the big trucks, 300's were installed with a front motor mount and two rears. You should be able to install a 240/300 by using the front mount & bellhousing from one of the big trucks. Bill should be able to tell you what years -- probably all the years that 300's were made. I do not know how easy these are to find - if I had these parts, then I could bolt in the 240 without changing from the "old" mounting system.

 

Really- I didn't know the 300 went back that far. Mine is a '76, but they didn't change them all that much. I have the mounts and towers from the truck it came out of. I was going to use them to fabricate a crossmember, and then use the stock crossmember for the tranny. I have a C-4 auto for it. In our horrendous traffic, an auto is the only way to go. I've already adapted a dual power master brake cylinder, and I'm going to put a disc brake kit in the front. I'm also studying an idea I have for adding power steering, but that's another story for another thread...

 

Jay,

I did not mean to confuse things. The 300's did not start until '65 and all of them in pickups (up to F-350) had the "new" (passenger car style) motor mounts. The '65 & later big trucks were the ones I was talking about. They had two mounts on the bellhousing and one in front of the harmonic balancer. I have not done this, but seems as if it would be a way to bolt in a 300 or 240 in a '64 & earlier pickup without having to change the motor mount system, but only if a maual trans is involved.

In your case, the C-4 makes my suggestion not work because I KNOW Ford never put one of them in a big truck. Your approach of fabbing a cross-member to use the late perches is probably the best solution.