Engine Swap Help!

James · Post by **James** » August 31, 2007, 11:42 pm

So with the help of several members I have determined that my truck does in fact have a 352 mated to a cruiseomatic trans, Holley two barrel carb. Has power steering and brakes. Now the decision has to be made, which engine and tranny to use.

Truck is my daily driver.
Plan to tow a 3,000 - 4,000lbs travel trailer for weekend trips.
Do not expect much in the way of fuel economy but 15mpg would be nice!
75% of driving is city.

Do I Rebuild my current drive train?
Move up to a 390, 429, 460?
Go smaller with a 300 straight six?

Based on engine which automatic trans would be my best bet?

Thanks in advance.

James

DV65CustomCab · Post by **DV65CustomCab** » September 1, 2007, 7:15 am

I was able to get 15 mpg from my bone stock 352. A heavy spring on the throttle kept me out of the gas, and dialling the fuel mixture as lean as it would tolerate (done by PO) probably helped.
If you rebuild the 352, use a "RV" spec cam and set it up for torque as much as possible. Low rpm power is where it's at, since these engines aren't made to rev unless you dump lots of money in them. The 390 crank setup would help in this regard. 429 parts are going to be expensive and hard to find.
The 460 is a good engine for your purposes. While I hate to see the FE yanked out of there, it's probably your best swap alternative if you want to go that route. It does require a bit more work than just bolting it in though. 460 parts aren't cheap, but they aren't expensive either.
The six is a good engine, and one I'd recommend for anyone considering a small block, but I don't think it will be worth the swap effort when you already have big block alternatives.

The FE means you are pretty much stuck with a C6 for a transmission unless you build/buy an adapter of some sort to run something else. Sturdy, but not very fuel efficient and darn heavy.

The 460 alternative opens you up to the AOD transmissions.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » September 1, 2007, 8:29 am

DV65CustomCab wrote:The 460 alternative opens you up to the AOD transmissions.

and cheaper rebuild parts plus boatloads of torque,

There are a number of guys doing the 385 swaps.
Bigtrip460 has done it. A few guys on 460ford.com.
My 429 truck is hacked so I can easily post pics of how not to do it.

Unless you have to do it this week or something do somee research online.
There are several builders I'd recommend in various places in the US on 460ford. WA, TN, MI, Springfield OH. All can do modest builds. There are a LOT of 8-10sec racers on that forum. You don't need that but obviously they know all the tricks. If I can help nail a 460 build lemme know.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » September 1, 2007, 9:28 am

Hauling a 4000 lb Trailer? (thru the mountains I would think) Not worried about gas mileage? Looks like the 460 with LOTS of radiator is your obvious choice to me. I am still not too sure about overdrive trannys for that setup, but an OD is not much use towing, anyway.

One of the cheapest/easiest setups would be to stoke out your current motor to 390 or more (since it is the same block)or whatever other stroker options there might be out there. Several stock Ford crank configurations you could use. C6 is the transmission choice for that purpose , as someone already said.

I'd avoid small blocks and 300 sixes for that kind of towing duty, but a stroked out Windsor, say a 408 from a 351 block, might get you near what you would need. Transmission choices are better too.

some stroker kits:
http://www.survivalmotorsports.com/FEKitTech.html
http://www.fordstrokers.com/index.php?t ... uct_id=123
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ALL-FORG ... enameZWDVW

DV65CustomCab · Post by **DV65CustomCab** » September 2, 2007, 6:00 am

Johnny Canuck wrote: C6 is the transmission choice for that purpose , as someone already said.

Geez, JC, now I'm just a "somebody"? :shock:

I guess it's still better than being a "nobody". :lol:

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » September 2, 2007, 12:00 pm

My deepest apologies, Dwight.
Having a 'sensitive' day are we?
Again, sincerest sympathies, I shall endeavor to give credit where credit is due in the future

Garbz · Post by **Garbz** » September 2, 2007, 2:55 pm

He is still calling your wife later tonight while you are on chat and bribing her to rollin pin you......

Garbz

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » September 2, 2007, 3:23 pm

No chat for me tonite, Boyz. Hitting the Stock car races if it don't rain.
(dodged that bullet)

Post by **Greg D** » September 2, 2007, 5:52 pm

If you go with a 460 you might as well go with the OD tranny. You can turn off the OD for towing and turn it on for regular driving to save some fuel, this is why Ford set them up this way. That is the way I would go if it were me.