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Copyright 1996-2004 Dan Wentz
Engine Swaps |
quick liNksmaintenanceSpecifications modificationsF-Series historyCanadian Ford & Mercury Trucks Early F-Series in Film & Television Online ToolscommunityMy 1950 f1 |
The basic idea: A lot of people whave old trucks love the looks but aren't happy with the low power that the original engine puts out. Other people are concerned about parts availability or durability of older engines. What's available: With imagination, some fabrication skills, and some welding ability (or the ability to hire the stuff done) you can fit about any engine under the hood of your early F series truck. The engines I see most often are small block Chevrolet V8's (SBC for short). I hear that once upon a time SBC's were the traditional hot rod engine and that's why they're so popular. I've also heard that they are easier to install, but I see no evidence to support this. Maybe a few years ago you couldn't find much support for the use of Ford engines, but today it's simple. You don't even have to use a V8 engine if you don't want to. Lots of V6's are plenty powerful. Even the Ford 2.3 liter 4 banger (1990 and up) has over 100 hp--same as the old flathead--and they are very reliable engines. Look around and decide which engine is going to be best for you. BonusBuilt.Com suggests: Ford 5.0 liter. They live in 86-95 Mustangs, Explorers (on Eddie Bauer models and some XLT's), Thunderbirds, F150's, etc. This is a fuel injected version of the popular 302 engine. Installation is a little tricky because you have to run lots of wires (and you need a computer--snag the one from the car that donates the engine). With this engine you will be completely modern. They are reliable and have GREAT aftermarket support. They put out more than sufficient power (225 hp stock, I think) and, best of all, they get good gas mileage. Folks don't tend to use this engine because they're intimidated by the computer and all the smog equipment, but it's a good choice. How do you swap engines? It's not that hard to get the engine mounted. You need to buy or fabricate a mount on the frame and bolt the engine to that. That's an oversimplification but that's really all you're doing. The hard part is making the engine run good in your vehicle. Any common problems? Absolutely! Nothing is as simple as it seems. The engine may want to get in the way of some other components. Steering box interference is very common with the stock, Toyota, and GM box conversions. What happens is the exhaust manifold wants to go where the box is. Usually this is easy enough to fix with headers. The other interference problem you're likely to encounter is between the oil pan and stock front suspension. Most Ford engines have the oil pan sump at the front of the engine--usually sitting right above the axle when you put the engine in the truck. Bottom the axle out a couple times and you smash the pan. The fix is easy, but costs a few bucks (but they all do--at least you have a problem you can buy your way out of). You can buy a rear sump oil pan for most engines. If you have a 289/302/5.0 you can use the 5.0 Mustang's double sump oil pan. Mustangs have a similar interference problem so they designed a special pan. |
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Copyright 1996-2004 Dan Wentz |