Budget engine ideas.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Budget engine ideas.
Hey,
I have a '57 f-100, and I think that I need to upgrade my engine. I use the truck to get to work everyday. The highway ride in the morning and evening is a bit more scary with my top end being about 50mph. So I need to move a bit faster for cheap...like around $800-1000...at the most. What would it take to put a 298-302 into the truck? Could I keep my stock tranny with only changing the bellhousing? Or is a y-block the answer? Am I only setting myself up for failure? Please help me find the best option.
Thanks,
Jack
I have a '57 f-100, and I think that I need to upgrade my engine. I use the truck to get to work everyday. The highway ride in the morning and evening is a bit more scary with my top end being about 50mph. So I need to move a bit faster for cheap...like around $800-1000...at the most. What would it take to put a 298-302 into the truck? Could I keep my stock tranny with only changing the bellhousing? Or is a y-block the answer? Am I only setting myself up for failure? Please help me find the best option.
Thanks,
Jack
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 22
From: Oxford, Indiana
Budget engine ideas.
Hello Jack!
I'd say that you've got an excellent idea. A 289/302 would be a relatively easy swap. I've got serious doubts that you'll find a bellhousing that will mate your existing trans. to a small block, but if you check with a company called Transdapt, I'm positive that they make an adapter that will bolt a small block bell housing to you transmission. If you are that tightly constrained on the budget end, I'd recommend finding a donor car with a good running engine and transmission in it. I'm sure you can scrounge up a rusty but strong midsize Ford for well under $1000. The only down side to that is that you'd probably have to change to an automatic. Several companys also build an inexpensive and easy to install tubular motor mount crossmember that will make mounting the engine a breeze. Ditto for the transmission if you switch to an automatic. Keep us posted with any questions. There are a lot of swappers present that are always glad to help!
I'd say that you've got an excellent idea. A 289/302 would be a relatively easy swap. I've got serious doubts that you'll find a bellhousing that will mate your existing trans. to a small block, but if you check with a company called Transdapt, I'm positive that they make an adapter that will bolt a small block bell housing to you transmission. If you are that tightly constrained on the budget end, I'd recommend finding a donor car with a good running engine and transmission in it. I'm sure you can scrounge up a rusty but strong midsize Ford for well under $1000. The only down side to that is that you'd probably have to change to an automatic. Several companys also build an inexpensive and easy to install tubular motor mount crossmember that will make mounting the engine a breeze. Ditto for the transmission if you switch to an automatic. Keep us posted with any questions. There are a lot of swappers present that are always glad to help!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
Budget engine ideas.
Is there something wrong with the engine? I'm a firm believer in if it ain't broke don't fix it unless the is more power taking up space in the garage. Maybe you should consider a higher rear end gear ratio. I put some 3.50 gears in my 59 and it was happy at 65-70mph all day long. It had a 223 and 3spd on the tree. Of course if your engine smokes, knocks, leaks, or the water just goes away, go for the 302. Be aware a newer engine requires a tranny too. It'd be tight for the money your talking about. A gear swap will be much cheaper and easier to do.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,950
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Budget engine ideas.
Put out some feelers for somebody having an old car they want to sell. I bought a running 79 cougar for $200.00. It had a 351w with a c4 automatic. You will have $100-150 more for motor and trans mount crossmembers, approx $100 more for driveshaft modifications, approx $100-120 for a shifter, and $200-300 for an exhaust.
I just got through looking at my reply, and I realized what cobraguy was saying is the root of the problem. Even with a v8, you will probably be winding it out on the highway if you have a high numbered gear in the rearend.
I just got through looking at my reply, and I realized what cobraguy was saying is the root of the problem. Even with a v8, you will probably be winding it out on the highway if you have a high numbered gear in the rearend.
Last edited by Franklin2; Feb 2, 2003 at 11:36 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
Budget engine ideas.
Definitely a 351W if you intend to haul anything in the bed or tow a boat. Id opt for one even in any event, the extra torque makes life easier.
Grab a complete engine/tranny setup from a car; or a truck if you want a 4spd.
Did the 57 6 banger have the 9"? If so put in a 3.50 pumpkin.
If not, swap rears.
A nice running engine/tranny should be around $4-600; a 9" pig $75. Mounts, headers, etc are all catalog items.
Nothing sacred about a Y block and they get expensive to rebuild.
Grab a complete engine/tranny setup from a car; or a truck if you want a 4spd.
Did the 57 6 banger have the 9"? If so put in a 3.50 pumpkin.
If not, swap rears.
A nice running engine/tranny should be around $4-600; a 9" pig $75. Mounts, headers, etc are all catalog items.
Nothing sacred about a Y block and they get expensive to rebuild.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Budget engine ideas.
Jack,
I have to agree with the others that an engine/automatic transmission transplant makes more sense than trying to adapt a newer engine to your old tranny and rear especially since it's a daily driver. Unless someone has changed it you may already have a nine inch rear and some decent gears like about 3:50 or so should make your truck much more highway friendly. If you don't have a nine inch, it would be bolt in to change it out and there are a lot of ratios available for them.
Once you get it running at highway speeds, you might want to look at improving the brake system...but that's another project!
I have to agree with the others that an engine/automatic transmission transplant makes more sense than trying to adapt a newer engine to your old tranny and rear especially since it's a daily driver. Unless someone has changed it you may already have a nine inch rear and some decent gears like about 3:50 or so should make your truck much more highway friendly. If you don't have a nine inch, it would be bolt in to change it out and there are a lot of ratios available for them.
Once you get it running at highway speeds, you might want to look at improving the brake system...but that's another project!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
Budget engine ideas.
Jack,
Cheap? Taller rear tires. Borrow a pair 2-3" taller than whatever's on it and take it out for a spin. This is comparable to a rear axle ratio change. Be aware that your speedo will read less than your actual speed. But this is a simple test to determine if only a rear axle ratio change will suffice. My 59 F100 has 223 3spd 3.70 rear 235-75-15's and staying with traffic is pushing it. So I'm facing a regear also.
Good Luck!
Cheap? Taller rear tires. Borrow a pair 2-3" taller than whatever's on it and take it out for a spin. This is comparable to a rear axle ratio change. Be aware that your speedo will read less than your actual speed. But this is a simple test to determine if only a rear axle ratio change will suffice. My 59 F100 has 223 3spd 3.70 rear 235-75-15's and staying with traffic is pushing it. So I'm facing a regear also.
Good Luck!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Ventura County, CA
Budget engine ideas.
Roger that on the 302 with a 3.50 melon on the rear. My '59's got it and it moves out fine.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Budget engine ideas.
I run my 57 every day also but not in the snow any more. I have the Y block in mine and it does great power wise good but not great gas mileage. I am running a 3.70 rear with 30" tires and looking to put a 3.50 in. The motor turns about 2800 rpms at 65. I find it is quicker cheaper and easeyer to fix what is their. A change in gearing may fix your problems.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Show Low AZ
Budget engine ideas.
If you still have a 9" rear end in your truck, the cheapest upgrade is to put higher gears in it. Changing the engine/tranny is cool, but you'll probably still be going too slow when you're finished. I would gear it up and see what happened. You may be able to get some more miles out of the engine and tranny already in there IMHO. Randy