Topic: Ford Engines

[kghost]

An Early two door Falcon convertible would be good too. 

[Terry in Australia]

An Early two door Falcon convertible would be good too. 

Yep, that's be real good Tim, as the early Aussie Falcon firewall, dash and steering box is interchangeable, so I can convert it to RHD pretty easily, but I can also legally register it as a LHD drive car here in Oz, they're pretty good like that mate? Of course an F100 would be really nice too! Cheers, Terry.

[Peterbylt]

Speaking of Boat anchors and ford engines My boat has twin 4 cylinder 170 hp Mercruiser I/O engines in it for some reason its called the 470 engine.
The block is aluminum and made by mercury marine but the head is ford from a 460 engine. Kind of like one half of a v8 the carburetor is a two barrel that you would find on a Chevy smallblock and the distributor is also Chevy. They also came out with a 190 hp version with a quadrajet 4 barrel on it.

Peter

[bill440cars]

          Hey Terry, I know they are a little larger but the Fairlanes, made in 63-64, are a decent looking ride. (Especially the 64', in my opinion) Ford built some 427 64's called "The Thunderbolts". 427s are bigger but, I'll bet your motor would still make a good runner though and look good doing it. Some folks make sharp rides out of the Rancheros too. They made them in 3 different styles over the years.
     1st- 57'- 59' 2nd- Falcon models (not sure of the years) 3rd- Torino models (not sure of the years of those either) The Falcon models would be cool though.

                                              Later on, Bill

[oldfordguy]

The 2nd generation Rancheros were based on the Falcon station wagon.  However, with stock front suspension, you can't get a 351C in the engine bay.  I have shoehorned a 302 into my '60 Ranchero, and there is only about 1/2" between the headers and the shock towers.  I wanted to keep the stock front suspension and upgrade it the same way Shelby did with the SCCA mustang race cars he built.  I discovered that '65 Mustang control arms would  bolt to the uni-body, and I moved the top control arm back and down as per Shelby's mod.  The ball joints for this control arm are the same as a '79 Granada, which allowed me to fit Granada spindles, giving me the 11" disc brakes from the Granada.  The Granada master cylinder even bolts to the firewall, and mates with the original brake pedal with no mods.  With stiffer, lowered springs, shock tower braces and a home-made monte-carlo bar, the front suspension is improved an unbelievable amount.  In the rear I used a Ford 8" rear with a Lock-right locker, and built the "over-rider" traction bar system that Shelby used for the SCCA Mustangs as well.  This makes the car launch incredibly well, with the rear of the car actually raising up under acceleration, transerring the weight to the rear tires.  Add a C4 transmission that I rebuilt with all the parts from TCI to make one of their Streetfighter transmissions, and this little car is a lot of fun.  Plus you'd be amazed at how often I get asked "What kind of a car is that?"

[bill440cars]

                   Hey oldfordguy,
                              Thanks for the post. I knew the 260/289/302 could be used but didn't realize that
                   the 351 couldn't be without major work. You sure gave us some interesting info too. I
                   always enjoy hearing details about work like that, no matter what brand it is. That sounds
                   like a cool ride. I once knew of an econoline pickup with a 260 in it and the guy had to cut
                   holes in the sides of the engine cover so that the sparkplugs could be changed. You take
                   care and I'll catch you later on.   Bill   

[Rushoid]

Fords I've owned:
'65 Mustang 2+2, 289 2V 3-speed (actually Dad's)- 165,000 miles when we took it apart. Drove it the day before after sitting for 10 years (filled the carb. bowls and she fired right up). We're currently (and slowly) restoring her.
'69 Torino GT, 351W 4V/FMX - 184,000 miles when i took it apart (was still running, just starting to smoke). I had put the last 35,000 on it and only had a carb. problem.
'85 Mustang GT, 302 4V/5-speed - 150,000 miles when I sold it. Main bearing spun at 77,000 (PO apparently never changed the oil   ). Rebuilt and never had another engine problem.
'78 F-250, 351M 2V/auto - XXX,000 miles (beater truck). Replaced timing chain and carb.
'84 Thunderbird, 302/auto - 132,000 when sold. No mechanical engine trouble. Electrics are a different story.  
'95 Crown Vic Police Interceptor, 4.6/auto - 125,000 when sold. No problems. Wonderful car. Wish I still had it.
'00 F-150 4X4, 5.4/auto - 57,000 so far. No problems.

I've owned 1 Chevy ('85 1/2 ton) and it was fairly reliable. It kept fouling the #8 plug, but had no guts even when running right. Rusted badly. Everything just had a "cheap" quality to it. I hated that truck.
We have 10 Chevy vans here at work. All of the newer ones ('96 1/2 and later) are junk: Very thin metal can't stand up to the slightest abuse; cheap plastic door handles, switches, light housings, etc. are always breaking or falling off; plastic intake manifolds leak; brakes fail prematurely... The older vans were built for work - can't complain about those. However we just retired the last one (320,000 miles!) The record so far is the one Ford we used to have though. It had 369,000 miles on it when we donated it to a charity (3 years ago - don't know if it's still in use). The only problem it ever had was having a fuel pump go bad. Twice.  

As an aside: We haven't had a single oil-related problem since we switched to Mobil 1 10 years ago. And we change our oil every 10,000 miles.  

[mlinder]

351W can be made to fit anything the 302/289/260 can. Also, it is possible (with some work) to fit 351c heads on the 351w (or 302, for that matter. boss 302 was basically small block ford with (more or less) 351c heads.)

[dusterdude]

351W can be made to fit anything the 302/289/260 can. Also, it is possible (with some work) to fit 351c heads on the 351w (or 302, for that matter. boss 302 was basically small block ford with (more or less) 351c heads.)

true,but be aware the windsor has a taller deck height,could be real tight in a smaller care.

[Pinhead]

The Windsor is a very buildable engine.

My dad drove a '79 F-350 with a late-60's Torino GT 400 engine. The engine had gone through 4 different vehicles before finding its final resting place in the pickup. Because it's been in so many vehicles it's hard to know how many miles it's got on it, but I can guarantee it's >250k miles. We've put over 100k on the engine in this pickup alone! Got caught in a fire and is in the process of having the intake/carb/dist replaced.

[ofreen]

Since the topic is Ford engines, here is a pic of my next project.  It is actually in a '51 Merc.  It ran 10 years ago and is not stuck.  I'll get into it when it warms up a little around here and see what's what. 

[BobbyR]

Oddly enough I had a 390 ford in a Galaxie 500XL convertable. Was a 64' model. Built the motor back to stock many moons ago when I was 19 yrs old.

Loved that car. Should never have sold it.

Alas I was bitten by the mustang bug and bought a 68' coupe. First year of the 302. Had factory air and factory powersteering.

That 302 got rebuilt 3 times. Lead foot and drag racing. Last reincarnation broke the engine mounts. but it would run 13's thru the mufflers on goodyear eagles.

Now I just drive the ol' F150 and play with my bikes.

I do have an MG B in the garage if anyone wants to talk about british boat anchor engines......................

Have you got any nice Ford cars lying around home Tim? I'd really like a nice clean rust free Texas car for my 351C? Cheers, Terry.

Terry, you want some Chevelles. Big Block and turnkey frame off restorations.

[Rushoid]

That '51 Merc is cool. One of my coworkers has a '47 1-1/2 ton Ford truck that he still drives. Still has the original flathead in it. His dad bought it new and used it on the farm for years. I don't know how many miles are on it, but I'm sure it's a lot. It was his only vehicle until a few years ago. 

[kghost]

Always wanted one of them Merc's.

Cool one ofreen! 

[dusterdude]

flatheads forever!!!!!

[kghost]

I think it needs new points 

[bill440cars]

                Mercs are definitely cool! Always cool to see some of the old ones come out of the blue.

      I know where a 55' Chevy 2dr sedan is. It's got the rear wheel wells opened up for larger tires. It's

      got a 350 with a 4sp and bucket seats for sure. I don't EVEN have the buck$ to even discuss
 
      getting it, so I don't even try. It sure would make a nice rod though. I actually would rather build an

      old roadster or coupe in the 50's style but with substancial hp!

                                                                Later on, Bill 

[Terry in Australia]

Geez, those cars sound fantastic guys! That Merc is nice, and I'd like pretty much any car that will accept my 351C engine, I like Bill's idea with the Fairlane's as I'm guessing there'll be plenty of room in the engine bay to work on it, too? Have a look in your backyards guys, any help will be appreciated, as I want to make this project a reality! Cheers, Terry.

[mlinder]

Geez, those cars sound fantastic guys! That Merc is nice, and I'd like pretty much any car that will accept my 351C engine, I like Bill's idea with the Fairlane's as I'm guessing there'll be plenty of room in the engine bay to work on it, too? Have a look in your backyards guys, any help will be appreciated, as I want to make this project a reality! Cheers, Terry.

I have an '80 f150 shortbed with a 390 raer it'll fit in... you can have it, but dont spray any wd40 near it, as it's held together mainly by rust.

[BobbyR]

Geez, those cars sound fantastic guys! That Merc is nice, and I'd like pretty much any car that will accept my 351C engine, I like Bill's idea with the Fairlane's as I'm guessing there'll be plenty of room in the engine bay to work on it, too? Have a look in your backyards guys, any help will be appreciated, as I want to make this project a reality! Cheers, Terry.

Go through your wish list of American cars Terry and I will put out the word. Most of the affordable ones will need some body work. Fords other than Mustangs are pretty affordable. Metro NY was Chevy country back in the day and still is for muscle cars. 

[Terry in Australia]

Geez, those cars sound fantastic guys! That Merc is nice, and I'd like pretty much any car that will accept my 351C engine, I like Bill's idea with the Fairlane's as I'm guessing there'll be plenty of room in the engine bay to work on it, too? Have a look in your backyards guys, any help will be appreciated, as I want to make this project a reality! Cheers, Terry.

I have an '80 f150 shortbed with a 390 raer it'll fit in... you can have it, but dont spray any wd40 near it, as it's held together mainly by rust.

Got a pic of that rusty baby mate, I've got a mig welder and plenty of body tools!

Go through your wish list of American cars Terry and I will put out the word. Most of the affordable ones will need some body work. Fords other than Mustangs are pretty affordable. Metro NY was Chevy country back in the day and still is for muscle cars.

G'Day Bobby, well I'm happy for anything that will look a little different in my neighbourhood, where I live, there are a few 57 Chevvies, but not many classic Fords, so the world is my oyster, so to speak!

I guess anything from the 1950's and 1960's would be cool, as I can legally drive a left hand drive car from that era on the road here? Anything later needs to be converted to RHD, and that's no mean feat.

I'd prefer a sedan or maybe an old  pickup truck with a bench seat, as I know that my little family will be wanting to ride with me, once this beast is ready to roll! Bodywork is not that much of an issue, I've got all the tools and have painted plenty of cars, and I know that JC Whitney is good for rust repair sections and rubbers, from memory? Thanks for your help mate! Cheers, Terry.

[BobbyR]

OK I will put out the word. Backyards and barns are filled with good intentions ad no progress. Too bad about the 60's cutoff. Lot of 70's stuff around. Sometimes GTOs and Le Mans show up, which are easy clones. There may be some old picukips around. Some probably still have the gunrack in the back. 

[Terry in Australia]

OK I will put out the word. Backyards and barns are filled with good intentions ad no progress. Too bad about the 60's cutoff. Lot of 70's stuff around. Sometimes GTOs and Le Mans show up, which are easy clones. There may be some old picukips around. Some probably still have the gunrack in the back. 

Thanks Bobby, I'll have to check on the legality of 1970's era cars, but the gunrack will be good, I've got a few guns too!

[ofreen]

I think it needs new points 

No problem-o.  Electronic ignition conversions are available. 

[Terry in Australia]

I think it needs new points 

No problem-o.  Electronic ignition conversions are available. 

I love those old side-bangers offy, I painted an old 1950's Dodge for a guy who liked the car that Sly Stallone drove in that movie, dunno what it was called, but the car was a "lead sled", anyway, he was selling the old flathead six and replacing it with a 383, what a shame, that old 6 had tons of torque, and was the nicest sounding 6 I ever heard! Cheers, Terry.