Repower Time

biggus · Post by **biggus** » October 15, 2006, 11:09 am

It is time to repower my slick 66. I am tired of oil leaks, low oil pressure etc. I am currently running a 351w out of a 71 Torino behind the stock 3 speed. I have assembled a lot of parts, to rebuild the 351w, new heads, 4bbl CI intake, and I have a 4 spd toploader with jeep T176 top shifter that I have rebuilt, and is waiting to be installed.

My question to the group is, has anyone installed a more modern drivetrain? Anyone install a 4.0, 4.6, 5.4 in their slick? How about a diesel?

61ford · Post by **61ford** » October 15, 2006, 12:05 pm

dont do a 4.0 there completely gutless i have one in my 94 ranger only 165 hp and 225 torque at the crank.plus trying to wire in a fuel injected motor would be expensive and a pain

mikecarson · Post by **mikecarson** » October 15, 2006, 12:08 pm

61ford wrote:...plus trying to wire in a fuel injected motor would be expensive and a pain

You're 1/2 right. I'm wiring EFI into my 64, ain't cost a dime. Just need to gather up the harness with the engine.

Post by **Greg D** » October 15, 2006, 1:34 pm

With the right parts a 4.0 can be a reasonably healthy engine, however with EFI a 351w would make a better choice for both power and economy. If you go with a swapped in setup from a salvage yard it wouldn't be horrible $ either. A supercharged 5.4 would be VERY cool if you have the budget.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » October 15, 2006, 11:06 pm

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but aren't NASCAR Fords still running 351w carbureted with 9" Ford rear ends?
Who said newer was better...

Comet · Post by **Comet** » October 15, 2006, 11:16 pm

Yeah, I'd rebuild the 351. Plus if you ever sell it, it will be worth more.

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » October 16, 2006, 8:50 am

I agree with mostly everybody, except the statements a 4.0 is gutless, or that EFI is difficult or expensive to deal with. . . .

I don't care for the A4ODE tranny behind 4.6 & 5.4 engines, and I believe the 4.6 & 5.4s are 100K discardible powerplants. There are problems with the cam support set ups after 100K witn many of the Modulars.

When several of us repowered us have gone for bigger engines, like the 460 but that's not for everybody, for sure.

But the route is to re-do the 351W engine as they are a Mainstay engine and as pointed our, it's already in your truck. Comet & JC are spot on IMHO, if you want a reliabe, conventional, less exspensive, easier, more practical solution, at least the way I see it.

FBp

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » October 16, 2006, 9:30 am

Johnny Canuck wrote:Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but aren't NASCAR Fords still running 351w carbureted with 9" Ford rear ends?
Who said newer was better...

They are Johnny, but the special cast blocks are more like Cleveland with improved 351 W oiling system. The 9" rear ends are basically Ford but special fabbed up housings and beefed up carriers. For that matter, they are still running '65 Galaxie frames. The modern versions are built out of better box tubing and are all jig welded. The reason the racers settled on the Galaxie frame back in '65 was due to the strength of it and the fact the it could be shortened,stretched ,narrowed, or widened to suit your needs. Even in small tracks around the country, you would find '65 Galaxie frames under Mustangs, Fairlanes, Chevelles. and even Plymouths. Yep, the other guys don't like to talk about it but they have major Ford pieces in those brand Xs.

Sorry Biggus, I hi-jacked your thread. You came to the right place for your information.

AngelW28 · Post by **AngelW28** » October 16, 2006, 1:28 pm

Isn't the old stuff easier to work on? I think for that reason alone and price comparason over all? I think I would stay with what you have. Angel

64 f100 · Post by **64 f100** » October 16, 2006, 4:48 pm

I think the 351w is the best of all the possible economy engines, for our app.. However, this is just my opinion. I am facing a similar delimma, with my green 64 shortbed. The 292 in it needed freshened up, and I needed an engine for my 64 3/4 ton, I brought in from Colorado. I bought an engine in PA at Slickstock, was supposedly a low mileage 292 but wasn't, for the Colorado truck. since I needed to rebuild the cab on the green shortbed, and it was going to be down for awhile, I used it's engine . Recently bought a 91 F250 with 351w and 5 speed, that had engine problems. Debating building the 351w and installing it in the shortbed, along with the 5 speed. I have a C1tz steel crank, new rocker assemblies, and big valve heads that have all the work done guides, valves, springs, all hardened seats intake and exhaust. I only need to do the block work and buy pistons and rings, but it has to go 60 over. I also have a four barrel intake and carb for this engine, chrome valve covers, ramhorn maniolds, and some other odds and ends. I need a better cam, which is about 150, pistons and rings, rod bearings, and some gaskets. Along with that, machine work will come to somewhere around 300 to 400 depending on what I have done. I've already spent another 300 on the heads having those gone thru again, it was 600 the first time. So my cash cost would be in the neighborhood of 7 to 800 more, above and beyond the 300 I've spent on the heads, and other parts. Other parts value ramhorns 250, rocker arms assemblies 200 ( valued now at twice that), Main bearings 50, heavy duty 292 roller timing set 80, NOS lifters 100 ( value at 160 now ), chrome valve covers 35, intake 75, block and crank 200. This leaves me with 2000 tied up in a y block, and I will be doing the assembly. If i'm going that far, I will be balancing the engine another 175$, and a new clutch and flywheel ( flywheel already bought 40$ ). this will end me up with roughly 2500 in this engine rebuild, and no overdirve transmission. I can sell most of what I have and get back most of my money, rebuild or buy a rebuilt or used 351w, for the money I get from the parts. I can then use the 5 speed overdrive tranny, that supposedly has had a recent new clutch installed. Really a no brainer I suppose, but I have reservations about doing the change. Opinions?

Rich

BigTim · Post by **BigTim** » October 16, 2006, 5:13 pm

Hope this is not against the rules, but look http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=414 here.

MadMaxetc · Post by **MadMaxetc** » October 16, 2006, 6:48 pm

Fixing the link

http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=414

I would do the 351. An EFI that could do ethanol would be cool, but like you said, you already have a lot of rebuild parts.