ok, here's my position
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Maricopa
ok, here's my position
Here's what's going on with my engine, in case you don't know, it's a 240 l6
Needs a new head gasket, needs a valve gasket, needs a new timing gear cover, and possibly a new front main seal
So pretty much I need to take the whole engine apart, Or, Found a little mexican shop in downtown Phoenix (Please don't take it as racist, they do great work at amazingly low prices) that does rebuilds for 700, or replace the head and valve cover gaskets, and do a valve job for 140.
Then the transmission doesn't like to shift from 2nd to 3rd, and occasionally into reverse...
Option- Bill W in tucson has a 240 attached to a 3 speed, not sure about converting a engine hooked to a manual to an automatic, but he also has a 302 with a c6, which requires shortening the driveshaft. Talked to him at the beginning of this month, haven't talked to see if he still has them or if they're gone.
I'm not worried about originality because this isn't the original engine anyways, and I need new motor mounts too.
I'm losing about a quart of oil a day in the thing!
So, what would your suggestion be?
Needs a new head gasket, needs a valve gasket, needs a new timing gear cover, and possibly a new front main seal
So pretty much I need to take the whole engine apart, Or, Found a little mexican shop in downtown Phoenix (Please don't take it as racist, they do great work at amazingly low prices) that does rebuilds for 700, or replace the head and valve cover gaskets, and do a valve job for 140.
Then the transmission doesn't like to shift from 2nd to 3rd, and occasionally into reverse...
Option- Bill W in tucson has a 240 attached to a 3 speed, not sure about converting a engine hooked to a manual to an automatic, but he also has a 302 with a c6, which requires shortening the driveshaft. Talked to him at the beginning of this month, haven't talked to see if he still has them or if they're gone.
I'm not worried about originality because this isn't the original engine anyways, and I need new motor mounts too.
I'm losing about a quart of oil a day in the thing!
So, what would your suggestion be?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Maricopa
also, if converting to the 302, where would I get motor mounts for that?
I'm guessing for a drive shaft without having a shop make me a new one or shorten what I have, I could pull one out of a later model that has a c6 and is a long bed and it could work, right?
I'm guessing for a drive shaft without having a shop make me a new one or shorten what I have, I could pull one out of a later model that has a c6 and is a long bed and it could work, right?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 343
Likes: 4
From: Northwest
240 is a good motor, I would go for the rebuild myself. I would also install a 5500rpm cam as it give it a longer shift between gears, I opted to take the 240 out of mine and put a 300 six in, it bolts right up as the 240 is the same block as the 300 and am really happy with it, fuel economy is excellent and the 300 has plenty of power. I have a newly rebuilt 289 on an engine stand and everyone is amazed I chose to install a 6 cyl instead but it worked great for me! Good luck!
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2009
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the thing is, are u going to have more in a conversion than u would if u fix what u have. if u fix what u have at least u know what u have in to it, unlike the other options, i do love a good 302 though good luck with your tough choice
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
I would have the mex shop rebuild the 240 into a 300. 700 for a full rebuild is reasonable if they warrant the work.
Re use the 240 head as it has a higher compression than the 300 head.
The 300 with the right cam, and addition of a four barrel intake and 390 cfm carb along with a set of EFI exhaust manifolds will wake the sleeping torque monster.
Garbz
Re use the 240 head as it has a higher compression than the 300 head.
The 300 with the right cam, and addition of a four barrel intake and 390 cfm carb along with a set of EFI exhaust manifolds will wake the sleeping torque monster.
Garbz
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Maricopa
well, I'm a little strapped for cash right now, and it's my only vehicle... I know the 240 should get the best gas mileage, obviously it's a truck and shouldn't get good anyways, but to school and back is an 80 mile trip, and I would like to get at least 14/15, right now I'm getting like 9, I'm hoping it's just a badly tuned carb and a worn engine...
Well, regardless, I'm probably gonna end up buying the 240 off of Bill.
Well, regardless, I'm probably gonna end up buying the 240 off of Bill.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
Iso
Thats the same mileage (8 to 9) my 69 crew cab 4x4 gets with a 360 and 435 and 4.10 gears.........Horrible.....
I can come down and tune it for you. With a 240 and the stock three speed with a good tune and 3.00 gears you will be able to get 20 plus.
The 240 will pull the 3.00 fine here in the Valley. I run 2.75s in the 64 and that truck pulls about 16 MPG with the 472 EFI
A 240 and an auto will suffer on the bottom end due to the shorter stroke and less torque. You will need at least a 3.25 or 3.50 gear to make up for the loss. and get lower mileage than the three or four speed
Confirm what rear gears you have as a change to a higher gearset will help get the mileage up also.
I was doing the 80+ mile commute from north Glendale to Chandler every day...Now its only to Skyharbor and 40 miles. The Tbird pulls around 24 to a gallon with the 4.6 cammer
Garbz
Thats the same mileage (8 to 9) my 69 crew cab 4x4 gets with a 360 and 435 and 4.10 gears.........Horrible.....
I can come down and tune it for you. With a 240 and the stock three speed with a good tune and 3.00 gears you will be able to get 20 plus.
The 240 will pull the 3.00 fine here in the Valley. I run 2.75s in the 64 and that truck pulls about 16 MPG with the 472 EFI
A 240 and an auto will suffer on the bottom end due to the shorter stroke and less torque. You will need at least a 3.25 or 3.50 gear to make up for the loss. and get lower mileage than the three or four speed
Confirm what rear gears you have as a change to a higher gearset will help get the mileage up also.
I was doing the 80+ mile commute from north Glendale to Chandler every day...Now its only to Skyharbor and 40 miles. The Tbird pulls around 24 to a gallon with the 4.6 cammer
Garbz
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
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From: Coal country
If money is an issue, I support Garbz:
1. Don't go with the 302. You will need to change exhaust, linkages, radiator fittings, add an automatic trans cooler plus lines, auto trans linkage and shifter etc.
2. Cheapest is to rebuild it to 240, and fix the shift linkage to eliminate the shift problem. If the linkage isn't the problem, Ford 3.03 3 speed transmissions are still very common, so you should be able to find a cheap replacement transmission.
3. For a little more, rebuild it to 300, and you will have a decent setup. You won't have to change anything major, and the 300 will give you more power to use a higher rear end gear for better mileage. Plus, the 300 was made all the way up to the middle '90s, so parts and upgrades with factory parts are easily available.
1. Don't go with the 302. You will need to change exhaust, linkages, radiator fittings, add an automatic trans cooler plus lines, auto trans linkage and shifter etc.
2. Cheapest is to rebuild it to 240, and fix the shift linkage to eliminate the shift problem. If the linkage isn't the problem, Ford 3.03 3 speed transmissions are still very common, so you should be able to find a cheap replacement transmission.
3. For a little more, rebuild it to 300, and you will have a decent setup. You won't have to change anything major, and the 300 will give you more power to use a higher rear end gear for better mileage. Plus, the 300 was made all the way up to the middle '90s, so parts and upgrades with factory parts are easily available.
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Elder User
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From: Maricopa
and the 300 and 240 are almost identical, difference, originally at least, was the 300 was stroked an had head differences.
Garbz, forgot you were in Phoenix! haha, Talked to Bill, gonna go pick up his 240 this week.
I have 3.50's in the rear. And, eventually I might end up converting it to a three speed, but for now the auto is just fine with me, I prefer auto in my daily, and manual in my go fast/have fun with, which is currently a completely stripped down 71 Firebird that I'm helping my brother with.
Garbz, forgot you were in Phoenix! haha, Talked to Bill, gonna go pick up his 240 this week.
I have 3.50's in the rear. And, eventually I might end up converting it to a three speed, but for now the auto is just fine with me, I prefer auto in my daily, and manual in my go fast/have fun with, which is currently a completely stripped down 71 Firebird that I'm helping my brother with.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Maricopa
Actually my plan is to use this 240 from Bill, make it mate to my tranny, and then take the one I have apart and have it built at some point when I have a real job and some cash flow. My current income is less than 400 a month which doesn't even pay for the gas to get to school and back.
I live in maricopa, go to school in mesa, what the hell is wrong with me?
I live in maricopa, go to school in mesa, what the hell is wrong with me?
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 95
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From: Gilbert Arizona
Hey all,
Speaking of a rebuild for a 240 - my 65 has a 240 with 148k. It runs great but the front and rear main seals and the distributor seals leak. I have no shop space to do the work myself and wanted to have someone else do it - however, the quotes here in Gilbert Arizona are running $500! Sooooooo, would you be kind enough to forward the name of the shop in Phoenix that is so reasonable - if I am going to pay $500 for seal replacements, I might as well pay $700 for a complete rebuild. Arizona owners, is there a meeting somewhere soon?
Speaking of a rebuild for a 240 - my 65 has a 240 with 148k. It runs great but the front and rear main seals and the distributor seals leak. I have no shop space to do the work myself and wanted to have someone else do it - however, the quotes here in Gilbert Arizona are running $500! Sooooooo, would you be kind enough to forward the name of the shop in Phoenix that is so reasonable - if I am going to pay $500 for seal replacements, I might as well pay $700 for a complete rebuild. Arizona owners, is there a meeting somewhere soon?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Maricopa
are you talking to me? or civicmindeddogooder?
Cuz I sure hope you knew I was if I'm coming to get that engine! I'll give you a call after I talk to my dad, I should be able to come down tomorrow if that works for you?
Cuz I sure hope you knew I was if I'm coming to get that engine! I'll give you a call after I talk to my dad, I should be able to come down tomorrow if that works for you?