I'm going to put a '70 shortbed truck together & have a few engine/transmission combinations to choose from. I can do a carbureted 302/C4 like it came, 351W/C4, 302SEFI/AOD or 351W/AOD. I'll put a little cam in, headers, 4bbl, etc. Nothing too extreme for regular street use & gas mileage. What combo do you prefer???

 

Think I'd be looking at the W/AOD for me. Like what the extra cubes can bring and AOD for making it sip gas.

my 2 pennys worth.



John

 

I like my 351w roller / AOD!

 

Happy with my new 302 set up, I use it for work, pull's trailer just fine, with better mpg. Don't forget gas $ well go up in time. If I would be towing something very heavy or want something fast, I'd be going to a bigger motor set up.

 

Yeah, I have a 460 & a C6 in my '72 shortbed. It get 5-6mpg now. I'm just wanting to build the '70 for economy, basically. I am a bit performance-minded too, though.

 

Street use and fuel economy = fuel injection and over drive.

 

That's kinda what I have in mind. I'm probably gonna keep it for maybe a year, then sell it. Drive it some & show it a couple times. I was hoping for a little more feedback than I'm getting!

 

I would go with a 4.6 and trans from a 2003-2007 Crown Vic, and while you're at it go ahead and install the front suspension as well!

 

Nah, that'll deviate a little too much from original. I'm not a big fan of the 4.6s anyway. I have all the other engines/transmissions & 90% of the parts.

 

Hi all, I just dove into Ford truck ownership headfirst. I bought a 1970 F100 stepside shortbed last week. She didn't come with motor or transmission. I'm looking for ideas, which is how I found this forum. Looks like lots of smart people here, so I'm glad to meet you.

My truck is going to be a nice work truck, not a garage or trailer queen. I need decent gas mileage and solid dependability more than raw power.

I have found a few 302's and was going to pick one of them up and add a C4 or C6, but the discussion above, especially the Crown Vic engine idea has me wondering if there might be a better choice.

I want to keep it within a pretty tight budget, so I don't want to do much if any custom fabricating and I'd like to use the driveshaft as it is. It has no motor supports, so I need them anyway. The truck did have a 3-speed AT with a column shift lever. I'm guessing that all truck AT's have column shifters.

I'd prefer a manual transmission if there isn't some reason why not that I'm not thinking about. I have always had manuals in all of my cars and like it that way. I don't have a clue what would be involved in making that swap though. Simple is best for now, but since I can get at everything easily right now with no transmission or engine in the way, I'm not going to get a better opportunity and would do it if isn't too bad.

Any ideas on more modern engines? Transmissions? What are the pros and cons?

Should I hold out for a C6 if I stay with an AT? I have found a few C4's, no C6 yet except one for a Lincoln Town Car big block. I don't want that engine I don't think. Fuel economy is an issue. It isn't going to get cheaper.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

The 302/C4 setup that came in these trucks is a good performer. It's probably safe to estimate 13-16mpg if no major modifications are made & driving habits are fairly mild.

 

Thanks.
Do you know what would be involved to make the switch to manual?

Would that involve cutting or is there just a bolted on plate on the floor in a column shifted model? If it's cutting, anything other than sheet metal in the way? My jigsaw can easily handle sheet metal.

 

You'll have to change the whole brake/ clutch pedal & bracket assembly, add a bracket & z-bar pivot *****. Shouldn't be too bad, if that's what you want.

 

Stupid me! I'm used to finding a clutch when I put my left foot in a car. I guess I would have to add one if I wanted to shift gears. I came here for some common sense advice. Keep it coming.

What could I put instead of the older carbureted 302? Something similar in size, but more recent and maybe fuel injected. I've looked at what it takes to modify an older engine for fuel injection. Not too bad, but not right now.

It's a lot easier for me to find a wrecked post 1990 vehicle than anything else. I don't know what changes on newer engines. I'd assume they all mostly just bolt in, be we all know what assumption can lead to.

 

You can put any engine in any vehicle w/ the right modifications. I'd stick to the 302/5.0. I'm probably going w/ the EFI setup from a '89 Crown Vic. If you can find a '87-'91 cheap, you can try the swap yourself. That way you get an AOD, too. It all depends on time, money & ability.