Damsel in distress! Need help w/ engine stuff!
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New User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5
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From: Chico, CA
Damsel in distress! Need help w/ engine stuff!
Hello to all! OK--there are no dumb questions, right? Here goes:
I have a '66 F100 V8 Cruise O'Matic that's in need of a new engine (was told that 2 cylinders aren't firing & that I have "rod knock"--my mechanic, whom I trust, told me this). My question is this: What kind of engine do I look for? 289? 302? "short", "long", "small", "big", etc. What will fit? I think I need a "small, long block" but I have no clue really. . .
Also--I'd like to upgrade to power steering & brakes, as well as replace the transmission.
Obviously, I'm not capable of doing the work myself so I'm trying to locate someone in my area who can do the work (my mechanic is too busy to take on this project and he says that Ford's aren't his forte) but I'd like to start searching for the needed parts ASAP. . . . .
Help! Thanks!
I have a '66 F100 V8 Cruise O'Matic that's in need of a new engine (was told that 2 cylinders aren't firing & that I have "rod knock"--my mechanic, whom I trust, told me this). My question is this: What kind of engine do I look for? 289? 302? "short", "long", "small", "big", etc. What will fit? I think I need a "small, long block" but I have no clue really. . .
Also--I'd like to upgrade to power steering & brakes, as well as replace the transmission.
Obviously, I'm not capable of doing the work myself so I'm trying to locate someone in my area who can do the work (my mechanic is too busy to take on this project and he says that Ford's aren't his forte) but I'd like to start searching for the needed parts ASAP. . . . .
Help! Thanks!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, CO
First off, welcome aboard!
Secondly, you are right, no dumb questions.
Let's see.. If you have two cylinders not firing, you will have knock. Do you want to try and solve the non-firing problem first, or just spend lots of $$ to replace a motor. If the motor is stock to the truck, you have a 352 "FE family" (old school big block) V8. We would need to determine if it is factory to the truck. If the intake manifold extends 1/3 under the valve covers and the plugs point to the middle of the heads // \\ , then it is an "FE family" motor. The 352 was put into 65-67 trucks, then they went 360/390. The good news is that if you want direct replacement, a remanned 390 long block (motor with heads) can fit right back in with no problem. Upgrading the trans will require you to go with a C6 trans. This requires a little modification to the mounting points and drive line, but still very doable.
Hope that helps some, keep asking questions. --Mike
Secondly, you are right, no dumb questions.
Let's see.. If you have two cylinders not firing, you will have knock. Do you want to try and solve the non-firing problem first, or just spend lots of $$ to replace a motor. If the motor is stock to the truck, you have a 352 "FE family" (old school big block) V8. We would need to determine if it is factory to the truck. If the intake manifold extends 1/3 under the valve covers and the plugs point to the middle of the heads // \\ , then it is an "FE family" motor. The 352 was put into 65-67 trucks, then they went 360/390. The good news is that if you want direct replacement, a remanned 390 long block (motor with heads) can fit right back in with no problem. Upgrading the trans will require you to go with a C6 trans. This requires a little modification to the mounting points and drive line, but still very doable.
Hope that helps some, keep asking questions. --Mike
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,062
Likes: 35
From: Central Oregon
First we will need to know what engine that you have in it now, if it is the original 352, then any FE class of engine will be a bolt in. FE engines are the 332, 352, 360 390,410, 427 and 428. If you can find a donor truck in the early to mid 70's with the power steering and disc brakes, the parts will bolt in without to much problems.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Hello to all! OK--there are no dumb questions, right? Here goes:
I have a '66 F100 V8 Cruise O'Matic that's in need of a new engine (was told that 2 cylinders aren't firing & that I have "rod knock"--my mechanic, whom I trust, told me this). My question is this: What kind of engine do I look for? 289? 302? "short", "long", "small", "big", etc. What will fit? I think I need a "small, long block" but I have no clue really. . .
Also--I'd like to upgrade to power steering & brakes, as well as replace the transmission.
Obviously, I'm not capable of doing the work myself so I'm trying to locate someone in my area who can do the work (my mechanic is too busy to take on this project and he says that Ford's aren't his forte) but I'd like to start searching for the needed parts ASAP. . . . .
Help! Thanks!
I have a '66 F100 V8 Cruise O'Matic that's in need of a new engine (was told that 2 cylinders aren't firing & that I have "rod knock"--my mechanic, whom I trust, told me this). My question is this: What kind of engine do I look for? 289? 302? "short", "long", "small", "big", etc. What will fit? I think I need a "small, long block" but I have no clue really. . .
Also--I'd like to upgrade to power steering & brakes, as well as replace the transmission.
Obviously, I'm not capable of doing the work myself so I'm trying to locate someone in my area who can do the work (my mechanic is too busy to take on this project and he says that Ford's aren't his forte) but I'd like to start searching for the needed parts ASAP. . . . .
Help! Thanks!
I'd keep the original engine, and rebuild it. A rod knock usually means one bearing has gone bad. Many of the rebuilt engines sold today are crap.
You can convert your present 352 to a 390 by boring it out, and using a 390 crank and rods.
Remanufactured cranks are available from most autoparts stores, and the rods can be bought in your area from Big M Automotive in Williams.
I've bought parts from Mike, he owns a wrecking yard and builds destruction derby cars.
Keeping your present engine will save you money from swapping, then rebuilding some other engine.
Buying a used engine is a like buying a pig in a poke - you don't know what its condition is.
The ONLY shop I'd recommend to do the work is Bill's Auto Repair in the city of Orange (714-639-3410).
While it's 450 miles south of Chico, the owner specializes in pre-computer Fords, and has down work for me.
He's a grumpy old cuss, but a master mechanic, and does a lot of work on Fords owned by SoCal Galaxie Club members.
He also does all sorts of conversions.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: in a motorhome- I travel
Welcome to FTE! Nice to see another female onboard......
What motor do you have now? Would seem reasonable to either rebuild or replace with the same. Of course, that decision would also depend on what you plan on doing with the truck. (daily driver, work truck, show truck, hot rod, restoration,etc) I would suggest, if you haven't already, post the vin # and have the fellows decode it for you. Then you'll know what should have been there. LOL, I will bet you'll get as many different opinions as to the "best motor" as you do replies.
If you use the search engine you'll find all the answers you'll need to learn how to do the upgrades for the brakes & power steering. You'll also find information on which trannys will bolt to which motors.
Don't forget to post before & after pictures to your gallery so we can all watch as you make your truck your own.
Judi
What motor do you have now? Would seem reasonable to either rebuild or replace with the same. Of course, that decision would also depend on what you plan on doing with the truck. (daily driver, work truck, show truck, hot rod, restoration,etc) I would suggest, if you haven't already, post the vin # and have the fellows decode it for you. Then you'll know what should have been there. LOL, I will bet you'll get as many different opinions as to the "best motor" as you do replies.
If you use the search engine you'll find all the answers you'll need to learn how to do the upgrades for the brakes & power steering. You'll also find information on which trannys will bolt to which motors.
Don't forget to post before & after pictures to your gallery so we can all watch as you make your truck your own.
Judi
Elder User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 1
From: Montana
first of all wecome. i think i agree with Mike G. try and find out why it's not firing on 2 cylindars.could very easily be the wires as they like to burn off inside after a few years. or the spark plugs. them have your mechanic or a friend help you do a acompression test on the engine. that'll help you determine if the engine is on it's last leg or not. then you will need to drcide wether you want to keep it original or not and how much you acually drive the trck. the FE engines are notorious gas hogs, so with the price of gas these days you may wanna check out a 302 or a 300 6 cylindar. you will loose a little H.P. but double your gas milage. i have a 390 in my 66 f-100. pass anything but a gas station. and a 300 - 6 cylindar in my 66 4 WD. i drive the 4 WD all the time and only the 390 occationally. just my opinion and something to think about if you're going to do a total replacement . Dutch
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,351
Likes: 1
From: Escondido, CA
Figure 44 is the FE engine family but you'll also see exploded view pictures of other engines. http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us...rInfoPages.htm This will help to identify the engine family you have in your truck now. As posted by most above, rebuilding your current engine will be better then buying one from an unknown source like most chain stores sell. I seen horrible things happen from bad builds. If you like, eveyone here chip in to give you the tools to learn how to build an engine in your own garage. Think of it as a very heavy jigsaw puzzle.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,351
Likes: 1
From: Escondido, CA
3rd time a charm? Stupid board keeps deleting my post with links... grrr
Try here to look at the different engines. Figure 44 is the FE family of engines. You'll notice that he heads are shaped differently like MikeG posted. </title></head>"); newWindow.document.writeln("<body><div align='center'><img " + getWidth("yes") + "src='/images/cds/" + tpe + "/" + sze + "/" + pc + "." + tpe + "'></img></div>"); newWindow.document.writeln("<div align='center'><table><tr><td><FORM
Try here to look at the different engines. Figure 44 is the FE family of engines. You'll notice that he heads are shaped differently like MikeG posted. </title></head>"); newWindow.document.writeln("<body><div align='center'><img " + getWidth("yes") + "src='/images/cds/" + tpe + "/" + sze + "/" + pc + "." + tpe + "'></img></div>"); newWindow.document.writeln("<div align='center'><table><tr><td><FORM
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New User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Chico, CA
I love this site!
Y'all are so nice and helpful! Thank you so much! I'll do my homework this weekend and report back with the type of engine I currently have (I think it's a 390--that number rings a bell--I know it's not the original engine though).
On another note--I want you to know that although I haven't posted anything since I first joined up (last summer!) I frequently visit and read what's going on--it's nice to see what a great community has been developed via this site. Very Cool!!
Jen
On another note--I want you to know that although I haven't posted anything since I first joined up (last summer!) I frequently visit and read what's going on--it's nice to see what a great community has been developed via this site. Very Cool!!
Jen
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,351
Likes: 1
From: Escondido, CA
Ah the very sore subject... FE = Ford Engine or Ford Edsel. Some swear up and down it's one of the other. Either way the engine still kicks butt. Some would even say it stands for Fuel Eatter, Fart Emitter, or Freak of Engineering!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
That'll be the day. These truck have the aerodynamics of a brick!If someone swaps to a 302, the city mileage will drop, because a 302 has much less torque than a 352, so you'll have to stick your foot in it to get it going.
With a 300 I-6 or a 352, the truck will get the same city MPG with either engine.
Swapping to either a 300 I-6 or a 302 will increase your highway MPG, mebbe one or two gallons at best.
Is that paltry MPG increase worth the time and expense of swapping engines?
I think not.
Since I've owned the same 1965 F100 Styleside (original 352 2V built to a 390 4V in the early 1980's) with stick & overdrive since buying it new in March 1965, I'm not just whistling Dixie.
Average city MPG on a good day = 10-12.
Highway MPG with overdrive = over 20 MPG is obtainable if you drive 65 MPH or less.
At 65 MPH without overdrive, the truck burns 30% more gasoline than it does at 55 MPH.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 92
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From: Smiths Station, Alabama
Yeah, I THOUGHT I'd do the calculations to figure how many miles I was getting to the gallon in my '66 F250 Flareside w/ 352. Came in at 11.2 mpg. By the way, the aerodynamics of our trucks aren't like a BRICK as much as a CINDER BLOCK. LOL! But don't they look good!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,233
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From: shawnee KS
My 352 in my 65 is far from stock. It is a three on the tree and it will thump your head on the back window easily, and I don't mean by just dumping the clutch. It gets about 12 to 13 mpg and it is a blast to drive! In my opinion the FE family of engines is the best V8 design ford ever had. I have owned 2 390's, 1 360, and my current 352. They are very tough, I tried to kill one when I was about 17 and stupid. It didn't work. Anyway, please keep the FE whatever you do. If it's a V8 in a slick, it needs to be an FE. Just my opinion, welcome to FTE, please keep us updated, I look forward to following your progress. I am in the same boat with a Bronco of mine right now, it's gonna get a 408w stroker motor, but that's another thread in a different forum!
P.S. pics, pics, pics!!!
Just my opinion, welcome to FTE, please keep us updated, I look forward to following your progress. I am in the same boat with a Bronco of mine right now, it's gonna get a 408w stroker motor, but that's another thread in a different forum!P.S. pics, pics, pics!!!