Hi- I just purchased a 1966 F350 Dually with a blown 352. Manual Transmission. Wondering what the best options would be for a swapped engine. Hoping to keep costs down. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

I would first find out whats wrong with the 352 to see where you are at, maybe cheapest repair.

Or you could swap in any FE 352, 360, 390, 428 and use your existing trans.

If you want to go with a small block 302 or 351 or a big block 460 then you need to swap bell housing and or transmission as well, plus some fabrication work.

On my 352, it spun a rod bearing and took out the crank and the connecting rod. I ended up buying reground 390 crank and set of reman 390 rods and 390 car pistons for around 100 hp gain, costing not much more than a stock 352 rebuild.

 

The 1966 F350 also used the front timing cover and rear bellhousing as the engine supports with no transmission support beyond the bellhousing itself. If you stay with an FE engine you can use this original mounting system but if you want to swap in almost any other engine you'd probably be looking at swapping to side mounts and providing a transmission crossmember support as well. Not a big problem, just something to consider. There are some aftermarket products that can help with the engine supports or a person can fabricate their own.

 

Thank you. Excellent advice, appreciate the input

 

Thanks, appreciate laying out the options.

 

pjw: Approximately what state are you located in? I have an original F250 352 which has never been rebuilt, in preserved dry storage and was running when parked years ago. If that's the direction you decide, it might make an economical rebuild.

 

Hi- I live in New York. Where are you located?

 

Calif....oh well.

 

Like TA455HO pointed out the engine mounting in your truck doesn't lend itself to easy changes to a different engine family. No matter which way you choose to go it is going to cost $$. If your engine is overhaulable, you might get away with $2000- $2500 for a decent stock overhaul. If your engine is no good, then a rebuilt long block from a place like Mabbco will run in the $3000 range. Remember the last year for an FE was 1976 in trucks and 1971 in cars and there are hundreds of them in salvage yards but 95% of them are worn out. The last year for a pushrod V8 of any kind was 1995 and they were all EFI engines and require a lot of changes to convert to a carb.