OK, got my hands on a Pontiac Formula 400 motor. It has just been rebuilt. There is also a Turbo 350 newly rebuilt trans included. Got both for a song. The motor has been boared (I think 30 over), has highrise intake, roller rockers, the ports have been polished, not sure what cam it has, but this bad boy is ready to be stabbed and started. Can I put this monster in a 54 F100 without too much trouble (clearances/ and mounting)? Do I need to BEEF the front end, is it even smart to cross over Ford/Pontiac? I know you guys are going to get me headed in the right direction. I actually wanted to go with a 302 but I am getting this motor and trans at such a good deal, just have to make it work if it can. Thanks for all the help, Mark

 

There are tubular motor mount/crossmembers that allow the "other makes" motors to fit. Sounds like the way to go.

 

First off...M54, welcome to the board........

Secondly, be prepared to get blasted and don't take it personal, it's just like some ritual thing these guys do to us darksiders that run some-a-each in our trucks....see my signature......

I don't think that there will be much for clearance issues but, there are other fellers on here with a little more knowledge and experience in this department. I'd say just make sure when installing the new mounts to measure twice and take into consideration the distributor and how much flex there will be in the frame and engine to allow for movement. The PO of my truck has the engine set a little too close to the cab so the distributor hits the firewall so now I will be looking at added expense of a smaller MSD system since I've decided not to chop up the fire wall. Trouble is that if I ever need to change it, I'll need to pull the cab or the engine to do it.

Brace you self for whats to come next......LOL

 

It seems to me that whatever the dream is go for it. One way or another someone out here can give the right advise or head you in the right direction. If you don't get an answer right away they are either thinking about it or it hasn't been tried. You will want to make sure you leave enough room for that large HEI distributor cap in the back.
I was raised by Ford folks but married a gal that was raised Pontiac. They make a good powerplant. Find out if the tranny had anything extra done to the internals. With the right stuff they can take an awful lot of power. LOL.

Gear Up

 

I'm being a good boy, and biting my tongue...




R

 

Welcome to FTE!
With a little imagination, a welder, torch and a BFH, any engine can be made to fit under these hoods. My little 5 cylinder Mercedes diesel looks lost in there.

 

Is this a late-'60's Pontiac engine, or from the late 70's? Seems to me a late-70's 400 is really a Chevy engine, in which case you can follow the SBC path.

 

Yep, Hey, I’m from the darkside, so do you what ever you want!

BUT (why is there ALWAYS a "but") in my very humble uneducated bias opinion I would much sooner have the Chevy 400 then the Pontiac, parts easier to get and cheaper and the Ponco is kind of, well different. (being polite).

 

Keep it coming good stuff. Do I need to look at boxing up the front end? I have even looked at a mustang II front end...or is that more for smoother ride. what ever I need to do I want it right...no blank check...but I want it to be a bad **** son of of a gun. Not race wise but show and poppin hood look at what daddys has...ya know ya know!

 

i'm gonna get it for this one but .... poncho's are good motors . the biggest hang up if its a mid to late 70's tin indian is the dinky lift cams they came with stock , but it sounds to me like that might have already been cured for you . had a couple of poncho dirt cars in the stock classes . swapped in factory cams from the 60's and gave the sbc crowds fits . i'm not promoting the darkside but hey you got it roll with it ! at least it aint no d-m- chevy !!!!! great torquers but mine didnt like lots of rpm for to long .gear it accordingly !!

 

If your gonna put a motor bigger than stock in the old truck you might want to box the rails so you dont twist the frame when you step on it.
Once in you can name your truck the "Fordiac" or something like that.
have fun,
Ed

 

Hi Mark,
First of all, do what you want. It's your truck. Now, on to the subject at hand... Recently my son bought a 53 F-100 that some cobbler did a real hack job on trying to put in a Pontiac engine and tranny in. I am attaching the pics to show you what not to do. One point I want to make is the fact that the GM engines usually have the distributor in the rear which is a real pain when you put one in the old Ford trucks, They do make recessed firewall panels that you can weld in to allow more room. Don't do like this guy did and simply beat the firewall in with a BFH. When you attempt this job you will encounter countless little obstacles but that is part of the fun. If you don't enjoy building it as much as driving it then it's not worth the trouble and expense. It's obvious, when you look at these pictures, that the hack job done here probably never made it out onto the road. Probably a good thing...

One other point is this. If you really had a 302 in mind consider selling or trading your find for a 302 and tranny. I'm sure there are a lot of Pontiac guys out therer that would like to have that engine.





As you can see, this thing is a mess. The good thing about it is that it made the truck a cheap find. My son will be using just the body parts. The ruined frame, as well as the drive train will contribute about two hundred bucks to the project when sold as scrap.

I expect that before your project is complete you will have considered or done a lot to other parts of the truck like chassis and suspension.

 

Ford in a Ford

Put your GM Engine in a GM Truck

This is the Ford-Truck Enthusiasts Forum after all.

 

Agreed, the "real" Poncho motors are great engines. Might want to consider gas mileage tho, and swap the T-400 for a 700R4 and put it all ahead of a 2.xx axle.

 

I rest my case # 1

I rest my case # 2, this is a good as they ever look, ugly thing!


I think he is ............."Can I put this monster in a 54 F100 without too much trouble "