Okay so it has been a while since i have posted anything here. Last thread was about swapping in a Jasper reman into my 79 F150 4x4 Custom. I was going to do a complete write-up, but my camera went kaput in the middle of it all and it ended up taking forever waiting for parts. I love my new motor by the way. It runs smooth as glass and Jasper was great. Because of my location, they delivered and dropped the motor right in my garage. A quick look at the top of the #1 piston through the spark plug hole revealed .040 overbore pistons. Cool.

Anyway, I ended up replacing a ton of parts. Everything but the starter, alternatorm and dizzy. I also rebuilt the carb and stripped all remaining emissions crap. None of it was in working order and there was no cat when I bought the truck. I have racked up 5000 miles since the new motor and love it. I did the swap all by my lonesome with a behemoth of an engine lift that barely fit in my 2 car garage. Fun times. Glad its over.

Now I just need to figure out how to get better mpg's. I am roughly somewhere around 13 or 14mpg. I would like to be doing much better. I am very unhappy with this carter 1bbl. It leaks a little bit and I just wish they put 4bbl's on these motors from the get go. The problem I have with a swap is the money. I just had my first kid a week ago(healthy boy) and money is tight when I do have any at all. First thing I plan to do is the Chubby 250 I6 rocker conversion. It's a direct bolt in for me and can be done for under $30. Not sure if it will improve city/empty milage, but I should see some some kind of gain on the highway and in tow right? I do have a set of EFI exhaust manifolds, but dont have the money for the down pipe or new exhaust. I currently have a straight pipe to a rv style muffler just behind the cab. Soon there will be no muffler with a side exit. I have antique plates so it doesnt matter what I do. I was thinking about maybe upgrading to E3 plugs. I heard good stuff about mpg gains with them. I have a motorcraft 2150 2bbl that needs a rebuild, but is a 2bbl worth it? If I found an intake on the cheap I think I would be happier with a 4bbl. Any advise?

 

For inexpensive parts like intake/and/or carb, I'd check craigs list and ebay. With the swap, however, will come linkage issues, which you need to be aware of. If you do the swap, I'd definately put on the EFI exhaust at the same time.

To really wake the engine up, I'd think about porting the head a bit.

 

Sounds exactly like mine... except I have 120,000 miles.
Let us know if you get any better mileage, and how you did it.

Murph.

P.S. Congrats on the baby boy!

 

I would love to do a gasket match port job with a new intake and efi headers, but modifying the head would void my 100,000 mile warranty. I know I can get away with swappin out the rocker arms without anyone knowing any better. My eyes are always open for parts on craigslist, but usually when I see a great deal I just spent my last dollar. It will all come in time I suppose.

I REALLY need to ditch the 31" Dunlop Mud Rovers that are on it now. I used to run the same tire on my Jeep before I went hog wild in mods. They were good off road, but the worst tire Ive driven with on road. They take alot of weight to balance too. Probably will go with Treadwright retread BFG AT or Wrangler MT copies. I was happy with my last set from them. It would be very hard for me to go with a street style tire with my deep off roading roots, but maybe I will find a good street tread for cheap and have the dunlops for the winter.
Would upgrading my dizzy make much difference?

 

Okay I cut the 22x10" diameter muffler off today. That thing is a beast and terribly corroded inside. I replaced it with a 2 1/4" turn down. It turns down right behind the cab. I like the sound. I am thinking about replacing everything from the manifold back with 2 1/2 and a 3x24 section exiting at a 45* before the wheel well. Should sound mean. I have always liked the sound of I-6 motors. Sounds like a truck to me. Now some of you may be wondering if there was any seat gains. I will have to say yes. Im thinking this is as spirited as this motor will get in it's emissions delete stock form. That muffler must have been pretty constrictive. Now I need to get them rocker arms. Time to sell some Ford parts!