Technical Engine Conversion Help For a 1962 Ford F100 Flare Side

I recently bought my first high school project truck (62' F100), and I am interested in swapping out my 223 I6 that is adjoined to a Borg-Warner side loader with either a 302 or a 351W. Since this will be my first time doing a swap, I am wondering what engine would be easier or more reasonable to undergo this procedure with, as well as issues I will encounter and any tips to overcome them.

I greatly appreciate any help,

Thank you.

 

You can buy a aftermarket crossmember that will let you bolt in the front engine side mounts. At present your truck should have a three point mounting. one at the engine front and two on the bellhousing. You now will have to have two side engine mounts and a tail housing rear transmission mount. You can make the rear mount fron a piece of channel steel and bolt it in. Try not to remove your existing rear engine mount crossmembe at it is part of the frame structure.

 

As far a engine a 262 six would be easiest It would bolt to your existing mounts. You can also find Boat Anchor Y blocks that would bolt in using your existing frame mounts. Me I would go with a FE ford. anything from a 352 all the way to a 428 is a good choice.

 

Give consideration to a 300 I-6. There are lots of them still around, they're usually pretty cheap and it should be a much easier swap than a V-8. There's even a pretty good aftermarket of hop-up goodies unlike the rather anemic 223 you have now. They're rather "torquey" engines and can be nice performers. Don't feel like a V-8 is your only choice for an upgrade

 

If you go with a 302/351, it's likely your existing trans is not gonna bolt up.
I'd look for a donor vehicle to get both the engine and matching trans.
New mounts, drive shaft, radiator, etc etc,

 

Thanks for the details, I'll look around and see what kind of engines I can budget in, I believe I can find a 352 easier, but I'll keep a lookout for any big blocks. I appreciate it.

 

I have considered a 300, but i heard there were problems fitting them because of how much longer they were. Or am I wrong?

 

Gotcha I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

 

.....That may be possible, but I can't imagine it's a lot of difference.

 

Hopefully someone can post up the overall length of each.

 

Alright I will look into some dimensions and compare them when I get back. I think it would be a lot cooler to hot rod a sixxer anyways.

 

Looks like the OAL for the 300 I-6 is 36.65" from fan to crank flange. Still searching for 223 dimensions, but you have one there for measuring so hope this helps.

 

...For sure, and they are great engines.

 

And they're known for being relatively bulletproof so I wouldn't worry too much about fixing a 300. A hot six is a fun, reliable and "different" motor that would provide miles of smiles. My buddy has a hopped up one in his '66 shortbox and it's a beast.

As for an FE, my cousin installed a 390 in his '61 shortbox backed by a toploader 4 speed. He'd initially ordered the TransDapt cross member but it was much to narrow (either it was built wrong or the wrong one was sent to him, it looked an awful lot like the one Old Wolf posted above) so he ended up building his own mounts for the motor and slid reworked the stock trans member to work with the '68 mustang trans.

Good luck and have fun!

 

Where are you located. I have a couple of 300 sixes. I could make you a good deal. I even got hedders and a home brew 4 bbl intake. A lot of brand new parts (2 sets of new oversize pistons) and a fresh bored block. A cyl head with a new valve job. I also have a good running 250 ford six. It is small physically looks like the 200 six however has the same bellhousing pattern as a 302-351 has.

 

That‘a a sweet build! I’ll look into the 300 some more then, Thank you for sharing.

 

You guys have opened my mind up for a 300. I am located in Southern California. My main concern is it not fitting. I looked through another post on HAMB and someone stated it would be noticeably longer and may cause some dilemmas. Like I said, I’ll measure out the dimensions in my engine bay when I get back if you guys are unsure if it can clear.

 

Thanks for the dimension I’ll compare it when I get back.

 

I did a y block in my 61 unibody, had a 223/ 3 spd. Would be the least amount of modifications as all parts are out there, you would need to get the truck v8 bellhousing and front frame and engine mount, as well as the clutch bell crank, everything else would be a matter of taste.

 

A complete 302/C4 would be the easiest thing to put in it. Cheap, small, easy to find parts for and easy to mount. Put a 289/C4 in my '57 with Speedway mounts (structurally the trucks are very similar). Easy to do. I hate adding another crossmember lite the one shown above. Gets too cluttered. I went with this one: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spee...351W-V8-Engine-Weld-In-Motor-Mounts,1376.html

I put a 390/C6 in my '61 uni but it's also got IFS, rack, disc brakes, 4 bar rear, etc. Wouldn't recommend an FE for these trucks. They fit fine but the extra weight will make it harder to steer with the manual steering/beam axle setup.

SPark

 

Y blocks are fraught with problems. Yes they can be rectified by spending $$$. however a 300 six or a 302 will run circles around a stock Y block and use 1/2 the fuel doing it. A FE isn't much heavier than a Y block. Put a alumimum intake on a FE and there is very little weight difference. I ran a much heavier 430 MEL in my 56 truck and it wasn't a bit harder to steer than it was with the original Y block. I still have the 430 MEL.

 

Ok many of those truck the same make and model as the OP,s came with a 262 six. I just went and measured one from the back of the block to the farthest tip of the fan is 33 inches. so a 300 would be 3.65 inches longer. yes it will fit.

 

Old Wolf is going to get on me! But, I would go with the 312 y-block. If built properly they are reliable and amazing power. I have one in a 1956 Pick up. Loved it. Like said, it’s a bolt in . Then there is the cool factor of the y-block. There are all kinds of speed equipment made fir them now. But a stock 312 would give you amazing power. We kept the six cylinder transmission behind ours with no problem.But a different transmission might be a good idea. And the y- blocks sound wonderful with the right mufflers!




Bones

 

Keep it up and you might have to deal me out of my collection of Y block engines and parts. Im interested in FE aluminum intakes and 411 and steeper 9 inch gears. and of course a 428 stick flywheel!

 

I’m going to get over in your area sometime and relieve your of your “ boat anchors” lol. I’ll bring that cylinder boring bar! I’m too fond of my FE stuff! !!

I do have about ten sets of nine inch gears, I’ll check and see what the ratios are!




Bones

 

I have a 460 in mine

 

I would suggest finding a good running but rusty 67 thru 79 ford truck that has a FE and a stick trans. I addition to the FE. You get a V8 Radiator. Full syncro three speed trans. 11 inch flywheel that uses the 65 and newer type starter. Alternator and all the pulleys. The newer trucks will have valves and seats compatable with unlead fuel. and electronic ignition. You could even use the exhaust system. With a Y block you have the long snout starter. Generator. Valves that don't work well with todays gas. A engine that is not fuel efficient. I fully intend to pull the 262 from my 55 ford wagon and install the stock $100 -390 -62 T bird engine in it. I keep hearing about the super fast relatively stock Y blocks. Im 68 and never owned or seen one yet. When I get the 390 in the 55 ive got a grand that says a relatively stock Y block cant beat it in the 1/4 or top end.

 

I could sell your exhaust manifolds for enough cash to by a running truck that has a FE and stick trans. A junkyard at williford Ar has a long row of complete trucks that RWP. for $500 your choice.

 

I may have to get the old 1956 out of the barn and see if it will start.... it’s only been in there for??? 35 or so years! Lol






Bones

 

One time I got a old 56 ford car. Y block with dual glasspacks. I got it running and my wife stated it sounded like someone beating on a tin can!