I know you guys answer a lot of questions regarding engine swaps so Ill thank all of you in advance for enteraining another one, and chiming in if you feel like it.

Truck is a 1963 F100 4x4 with I-223cid that I would like to replace with a V8. I would like to swap this out ASAP (probably next summer) so am starting the info gathering now.

From my searches here and elsewhere its my understanding at this point that I can swap in a 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, or 428 V8.

Ideally Id like to do this bolt on with little to no welding or cutting etc. I want to keep the existing T98 transmission. I plan to keep things as simple as possible so that would mean carburated, hopefully not much change to the wire harness, and I would change the radiator with some type of stock looking high output model. Front disc brake conversion is planned for sometime in the future (maybe rear too) but not sure about power.

If I were to use a later model type engine hopefully that would mean simply drilling and bolting on replacement mounts but no major modifications.

The over all goal for this truck is to be used regularly for my family year around in harsh weather conditions, occasional trail use, moving stuff, and some commuting. Maybe some events in a social capacity only. So dependablity is of utmost importance, and some fun factor is important too!

Another reason for a swap is ease of parts, and modifications if I end up going that route, so a motor that is easy to access, swap, and get parts for is a goal too.

Any suggestions?

Thanks-

 

All of those engines you listed come from the same family, the FE series. Since you will be making some modifications anyway, your options are a bit wider than just the FE series.
You might want to consider a 300 inline six, or for V-8s, 302 or 351W, as all of these were manufactured into the 1990s, whereas the FE was discontinued in '76. I would advise against a 351M or a 400. I would also advise against any of the 385 family, a 370, 429 or 460. They will probably tear up your drivetrain.
Bolt up considerations are limited, and will be dictated by what engines will mate to your current bell housing. Someone else will need to chime on on the 223 bolt pattern, whether or not you can use your existing bell housing or not on the 300, 302 or 351W. I know it will not bolt to any of the FE engines.
Be advised that your existing bellhousing is part of the engine/transmission support system, unlike later vehicles. The truck may require alteration if you do not use your existing bell housing.
Otherwise, you will need to learn which bellhousings on your choice of engine will mate to your current transmission - and so forth on back.
Good luck with your project!

 

B8Y7505B .. Bellhousing / Use with T-98 4 speed manual transmission.

Only fits: 1958/64 223 I-6 / 1961/64 262 I-6.

The Borg Warner T-98 was not used after 1964 except in the P Series Parcel Delivery's thru 1971 with a diesel engine.

 

Yep, 223 and 262 are the only true bolt in options.....however, by changing your bellhousing, you can also bolt in a Y block V8.(6cyl and V8 bells are slightly different) A Y block V8 is a good reliable engine . Any of the later V8's can be made to fit, but its quite a lot of work. (At least for me) T/M

 

THanks for the comments everyone.

I was pretty sure that I would have to change bellhousings, just hopefully not an expensive aftermarket one.

If I went with a newer model engine Im pretty sure I would have to use an aftermarket bellhousing, change the entire wire harenss etc.

But there must be a fairly simple swap to do that would just be new mounts, harness, and engine?

Is there one like this that is the most common?

 

To install a Y-block (272, 292 or 312) all you would have to do is change to a truck bell housing (if it doesn't already have one). They are plentiful (I have 3 on my property right now, and no they are not for sale). There are two different truck bell housings, one for the 3 speed, and one for the T98 4-speed. The y-block bell housing will have ears on the each side of the bell housing that fit on the frame (as did the 223). You will need to add the bracket on the front cross member as the 223 is longer and the front mount attaches directly to the cross member. (Anyone who has installed a different engine in a Y-block Slick probably cut it off for clearance and may have saved it.) It is my understanding that the larger trucks had a bolt on bracket but I can't confirm that.

I would really recommend that you use the search function on this site and do some research (or use Google), learn more about these trucks, and then ask questions. Part of the enjoyment of these trucks (at least to me) is to learn as much about the trucks as I can then you can make informed decisions on what modifications to make on your truck. You will probably find someone who had made the same modification you are thinking of, and can give you experience guidance. You can't always depend on the advice and opinions of other posters. While some are very knowledgeable, some probably mean well, but just simply make comments and statements without the benefit of knowledge or experience, which can wind up costing you time and money.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

I put a 312 in a 64 where a 223 was, and the engine swap was fairly easy. The 2 issues I had were finding the front motor mount, as the 6 has a shorter distance to reach the front mount than the V8. The second was I had to replace the radiator, strangely enough the bottom and top hoses switch sides so you have to get the right radiator.

 

Ive been reading the engine swap forum for hours, and searching elsewhere.

The 390 keeps popping up as a great engine for these trucks.

People keep saying its not a difficult swap but right off the batt see it will need aftermarket mounts and crossmember which isnt expensive.

But I havent been able to find what type of bellhousing it would need to adapt to the T98, or what wire harness I would need to use. Hopefully mostly the stock one?

 

Since there were no T-98's installed after 1964, what FE bellhousing could you possibly use?

1965/76 F100/350's with FE's could be ordered with the Warner T-18 which is a similar trans to a Warner T-98.

But...the T-18's transmission case is different than the T-98.

While the parts catalog doesn't say, one difference will be the bolt pattern for the bellhousing.

 

And therein lies the problem.

So, you are suggesting I simply get a newer motor with a T18 and fab that up into my truck? Then all I would need to do is have somebody fab up a small drive shaft to my divorced transfercase....

There would be the issue of a modified trans mount but that shouldnt be too hard.

And I guess I could sell my old T98 to a jeep fanatic to offset the cost of locating a good T18 somewhere.

What about the old wire harness? Would it be able to hold up to a late 60s to early 70s V8?

Thanks for the suggestions ND you are a wealth of knowledge I appreciate it-

 

I'm not suggesting anything...I'm just pointing out there is no bellhousing...at least from Ford...that can be used with a T-98 and an FE engine.

Wiring harness: Some of it will be the same, some of it will not.

The portion of the main wiring harness that attaches to engine accessories (starter, sending units for oil, temp, solenoid and etc) will be different in some respects.

For example, all 1965 and later Ford trucks have an alternator, so the wiring harness plug you now have for a generator will not be the same.

As far as the harness holding up...it's prolly on its last legs now. Wiring harnesses were not made to last 40 + years.

There are none available from Ford, the aftermarket sector is the only plac to get them.

Get in contact with FTE member Garbz2, who has been down this road before. If anyone on FTE knows the score...on what fits what...he does.

He has a Uni, installed a monster gas hog of an engine that he'll have to work three jobs for decades...in order to pay for all the gas it will drink.