302/351w in a '33 pickup
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302/351w in a '33 pickup
I've been wanting a pickup truck for a while. I like my Bronco as my daily driver but it is totally impractical for pickup-like stuff. Anyway, I figure since my dad left a cherry '33 Ford pickup, I might just make it more of a light duty workhorse until I get the flathead rebuilt. I was kicking around the idea of ripping out the drivetrain from an '80s F150 with a 302 or 351. Use the engine, trans and rear axle out of that vehicle while working on the original drivetrain later on. This way, I don't run the risk of damaging the stock drivetrain (since it has been sitting for 40 years), and I'll get a more powerful and more reliable truck in the process.
The plan would be to buy the motor mounts, figure out how to use a crossmember for the trans and if I should convert it to automatic or figure out what manual trans would be a good one, make a driveshaft, and the only real thing I'd need to figure out is if the rear end would work or if I'd have to shorten it. I'm sure there is a whole ton of stuff I am missing though.
I have two questions though. How easy would this swap be? Would it be worth it? Thanks.
The plan would be to buy the motor mounts, figure out how to use a crossmember for the trans and if I should convert it to automatic or figure out what manual trans would be a good one, make a driveshaft, and the only real thing I'd need to figure out is if the rear end would work or if I'd have to shorten it. I'm sure there is a whole ton of stuff I am missing though.
I have two questions though. How easy would this swap be? Would it be worth it? Thanks.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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33 ford engine swap
hi,
i have a 1940 pickup and a 1933 vicky kit car.
I got a 351 windsor for the 33 and regret it. it is too big to fit easily, everything is a hassle. unless you don't want any power accessories, but I live in texas...
the 302 parts are more easily available than 351, brackets are alot easier, linkages, etc.... I have spent too many hours just trying to figure out how to get a ps, alt and ac pulleys hooked up - without spending $1700 on an aftermarket serpentine kit - if you have money burning a hole in your pocket... no prob.
a nice average 302 would be plenty of power and easy on parts costs. they also make a flathead engine mount conversion bracket to go to a modern engine setup, dennis carpenter.com or macs should have them...
going to do this with the pickup, just a plain recycled 301 (2 bbl carb - better torque) and a C4 trans. good luck,
mpr
i have a 1940 pickup and a 1933 vicky kit car.
I got a 351 windsor for the 33 and regret it. it is too big to fit easily, everything is a hassle. unless you don't want any power accessories, but I live in texas...
the 302 parts are more easily available than 351, brackets are alot easier, linkages, etc.... I have spent too many hours just trying to figure out how to get a ps, alt and ac pulleys hooked up - without spending $1700 on an aftermarket serpentine kit - if you have money burning a hole in your pocket... no prob.
a nice average 302 would be plenty of power and easy on parts costs. they also make a flathead engine mount conversion bracket to go to a modern engine setup, dennis carpenter.com or macs should have them...
going to do this with the pickup, just a plain recycled 301 (2 bbl carb - better torque) and a C4 trans. good luck,
mpr
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Island Southeast Alaska
Think about a V6 swap. But with the money you may spend on the rest of the drive train maybe a later model flatty crate motor? It would fit and look period correct. And prolly be a better engine for about the same money as the original to restore if it is an 8 cyl.
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Yeah the engine in it now is a '53 Merc V8 flathead. I'm assuming it would cost an insane amount of money to rebuild it. I wasn't planning on putting power steering on the truck and all the other goodies right now, I can't imagine how hard that would be. Just leave the juice brakes front and rear, maybe convert the front to discs if I know the front drums would be a hassle and the rear would have the newer rear axle.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
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From: Island Southeast Alaska
That 53 Merc is a pretty tough engine. I would try and get it running as is. Do the normal stuff for an engine that has sat for a while after ya know if it will run like seals and gaskets. Maybe rod bearings and oil pump and like that and run it. They are a sweet engine.
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Yeah I might do that instead down the road. The whole reason behind this is because I would like to have a pickup truck. I would buy a pre-75 F100 to get away from the smog, but that leaves me without a 4x4 because I have yet to find a pre-75 4wd F100 near me. Only other thing I can come up with is buying an F150 4wd to get both things out of one but I'd rather not for now.
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