Just like some opinions on engines for my 56 F100. The original 223 is shot, and so far i'm having no luck finding a 50's 223 to keep it original. So my question is what would you guys put in this thing to make it somewhat unique, I'm still stuck on the 223 but with that comes a lot of extra money in getting a T5 in the truck and parts for the 223 are somewhat "harder" to come by. I have a 302 at my disposal but every ford carshow you go to is 50-75% 302's. I dont wanna be in that category, I'm going for different, and old school. This brings me to a 300, don't see a whole lot of them at shows and parts are easy to get, and its easy to mount up. I can also get a 429 or 351 but then again I'm right back into the run of the mill engines.....AND I WANT DIFFERENT/UNIQUE Whats your opinions.......
Run a Y-block! I loved the sound of my 292 I had. One of the coolest vintage Ford motors in my opinion.
...thunderbird blown y-block! but more realistically, y block, 429, or maybe an FE motor, I'm sure you could find a 390 on a budget
If you can find a 351 Clevland that would be a good route or the 429 is Ok but a 428 0r a 390 would be a better choice for a big block if it were for my truck. I only say the FE because I had a 56 effy with a 390 in it once and loved it.
lol, thanks guys but........... I want unique like if I could find a big enough harley engine to put in it would LOL. I want something that when I go to a car show and pop the hood everyones gonna have to ask whats that engine out of? or why did he put that in there..... HP is not a concern as long as it'll get me down the highway at 70 and something I can get a 5 speed tranny behind....
I would go for a 427cu. in. 351 Windsor from PAW. Somewhat like the Ford GT except it's iron. Last I looked the kit, including block and heads, is less than $4,000 with no core. They also sell a short block kit, If you want to supply your own heads.
I would go with the 300.....A great engine, and unique for that truck. JMHO........ Cheers.................
Go with the a Y block, Well unless you are stuck on a six, then go with a 300. I have one in my 65 Ford with a split header and an offy 4-barrel intake and a holley carb. Not as fast as a V8 but lots of torque!
Look around and you might find a 262 cubic inch 6cyl engine in a 3/4 or 2 ton truck. It looks physically the same as your 223 only bigger on the inside. 223 speed equiptment will fit it. I have installed a 262 in my 55 ford wagon it was a bolt in. a 300 is physically much larger and nothing from your present set up will fit. If I was going with a V8 I would go FE. Plenty of engines available. Next V8 choice would be 351 cleveland. Personally I dont much care for the Y block 272 292 or 312,s. If you really want to be far out find a 254 flathead six from a late 40,s early 50,s truck. Lots of why is that engine in there factor! OldWolf
My $0.02. (Or if it was mine) Ford 300 + M5R2 5 spd out of a mid '90s F-150, dressed with Offy go fast parts. OR.... FE (352, 390, 428 doesn't matter) + Tremec TKO. Good Luck
Go with the 300 six. Get advise at the Ford Six Forum. One of the members there built an unblown 300 that put out, if I remember correctly, 300 horsepower and 400 ft-lbs of torque. How often can you get that without a common V8? And its Ford.
I like the Ford 400 for a truck but to my eye it's a bit too new looking for a '56. The MEL (430 or 462) would be an interesting swap and if you build it real stock 1950s looking (as if it were a factory install) but with a brite color you would get some attention for the choice. They pull hard, too.
351w (392 stroker, 3.98 stroke crank (eagle about $220) 351 rods, use arp bolts, 302 HP pistons ( about $120) and a T5
I vote for the 300 but I'm fond of sixes. However, in the mid '60's, there was a guy that had an F100 that would pull into the gas station where I worked. He had a dual quad caddy in his truck. He ran out of Lions Drag Strip. I always thought that truck was neat. Cheater slicks and all..........
300 six......relatively inexpensive, readily available parts, gobs of torque, not eveybody and his brother is running one........ Ray
You want something different? How about a LINC Y-BLOCK (347 or 368) trimmed out as a LINC-Y HD Truck Engine? That would be unique (and fast).
Agreed. This would rock and be a bit cooler than my MEL idea. Very unexpected to use the large post-flattie Lincoln. Damn good looking engine as well.
I'm getting ready to pull a good running 223 from my 60 to replace it with a 292 y block If you want to stay with the original set up send me a pm we can work a deal.
Don't know if it's of any help to you, but this is a'69 351W with Porter mufflers. She goes well. The engine is being "dressed" over the next week. I will post up some pics when it's done to see if it's the kind of thing you're looking for. Best of luck Paul
I think I'm sticking with either the 223 or the 300, V8's are overated. LOL Thanks for all the suggestions though!
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