Curious about carbed engines.

[Nocturnall]

I'm lookin to buy a 1947 ford f100 in the next few months, rebuild it, put a nice big block in it, keep it nice and simple. What's a good big block for engine? I would love to use a chevy 396 but...I dunno..chevy driveline in a ford just doesn't seem even close to right.

 

[IZwack]

I think a Ford small block would be perfect for it.. not a big block. And the small block is a lot easier to find parts for at the junk yard. And it would still have plenty of power for that F100.

 

[manaen]

I would second IZwack on that, a winsor motor can be found almost anywhere (some better then others) but you could make plenty of power for that truck, and not have to rework the suspension and front to balance out the motor. It would just be an all around better driving truck.

btw.. how much power are your looking to make?

 

[Nocturnall]

I don't care that much about power more the sound. I'm not gonna be racing it or using it for crap except to waste OH SO MUCH gas. I might use it for work, I doubt that will last long though. It's more just something to cruise in and keep for the rest of my life. I love the sound of my buddies 64 Thunderbird....I forget which motor is in it but it's a big block and makes get's me all excited in the pants whenever I hear it!

 

[Nocturnall]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1947...7QQihZ018QQcategoryZ39414QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That's the exact truck I want to and WILL buy when I get some money together.

 

[FROADER]

I had a 390 in both of my Galaxies that ran and sounded great.

 

[manaen]

With the right cam and exhaust a 351w will sound every bit as good as that t-bird did.

t-birds I believe came with the 390, as well as the 289, and 302.

 

[BryanB]

Engine would depend on how much you are going to do with the truck. (remember, you're working with 40 year old technology) If you just plan on just putting in an engine and driving it, 351W based motor anywhere from stock to a stroked 392 cid . It will handle well and feel very nimble. If you do an aftermarket suspension, then go BIG! 460 based engine (if you can afford the gas...lol) stay away from the "385" series and the "FE" engines. It's to hard to find parts...such as headers to fit the chassis.

 

[Nocturnall]

It's just something to cruise in now that I live in an area that won't eat the chassis. I dunno what I plan on doing suspension wise and everything, just know I wanted to do a simple carbed setup.

I might upgrade the suspension to handle better. I just know I don't want to wire much. Gauges and a radio, that's about it......and probably a crazy alarm cause I'd hang myself if it was ever stolen.

 

[manaen]

there are plenty of F series trucks in salvage yards with good 351's, and setup properly it would be easy to make a moderate 300hp with gobs of torque!!

If you do even more research on the winsor motor there where some that came out with large port heads that, in stock condition are great runners. I don't remember the years anymore, it's been too long since I have been into engine building. Now I just make myself happy with mods to my mounty <G>

Hey here's another option, find an 85 or older mustang and pull the HO 302 for your truck, that 85 HO was a great engine had a 4bl Holly 215hp-305tq stock. But some very simple mods will get you into the 300hp range easily.

I've got one sitting in my garage under a cover for the past 10 years DOH!!! put 5k into the engine just to leave it sit for 10 years HAHAHAHA. One of these days I will either sell it or get it running again. geesh...

 

[manaen]

hey here are some great write-ups on the winsor motor
http://www.classiccar.com/articles/Ford_Small_Block_History.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Windsor_engine

also found an article about the heads I was talking about it's 69 to 71 when they had better flow
here.. http://www.mustangandfords.com/techarticles/127_0309_swap_it/

 

[Nocturnall]

Thanks, I definatly would need to look into how to get it sounding like a big block, that's my main concern is the sound. Like I said this thing won't haul anything just cruising and looks hence my obsession with the sound more then power output.

 

[UKExploder]

The great sound you are prob'ly talkin' about is the 390 '64 T-birds had, with dual glasspacks for mufflers.......ask him if that's not what it has......

 

[CDW6212R]

75% of the sound of an engine is the muffler and the entire exhaust.

With that narrow engine bay I would avoid the big blocks. The 351W has tons of head choices, plus you can build it with countless CI. sizes, and all of the later trucks had them.

FYI, the 429 and 460 are the "385" series big blocks, they have a 10.2 deck height, and can be bored to 4.44 inches with sonic testing. The 429 has a 3.59" stroke, it can scream like any 351 engine. Good luck,

 

[BryanB]

FYI, the 429 and 460 are the "385" series big blocks, they have a 10.2 deck height, and can be bored to 4.44 inches with sonic testing. The 429 has a 3.59" stroke, it can scream like any 351 engine. Good luck,

Oh yeah, Oops...I was thinking of the 351M/400 Thanks.

 

[CDW6212R]

It's all good, I loved learning about those engines in 1980, there is a book from then that is like a bible of specs for those engines. I have a 400 that I shall eventually finish, with 351C 4V closed chamber heads, and a 351C Torker intake.

FYI, what engine prior to 1990( I don't know about the new stuff) has the longest rod bolts? They were not available from any aftermarket company, I had to buy them from Ford(stock rod bolts). ARP finally makes them now.

 

[Nocturnall]

CDW what book was that? I really want to do this all right because I will probably keep it for the rest of my life.

 

[rookieshooter]

I recommend this book. For me to recommend any book on engines, it's got to be good. The listing of casting numbers on heads and which head to use alone is more then worth the money spent. Some early V8 heads are great while others should be used for boat anchors.

 

[CDW6212R]

I've got my first stored someplace. It was the first good Ford engine book, not by Ford. It was $9.95, yellow cover with four engine pictures on the cover. I think it is called Ford Performance. It is not a rebuilding book, it's very concise, not long, it discusses the four engine families of the time, in terms of parts specs, usage, bolt patterns, and some swapping. It's the best source for a novice to get a very good general idea of the different engine families of Ford(pre 1978ish).

Here is a link to Amazon for what may be an updated version, it looks very close.
http://www.amazon.com/Ford-Performance-Pat-Ganahl/dp/1884089275 Regards,

 

[manaen]

The 429 has a 3.59" stroke, it can scream like any 351 engine. Good luck,

Ahhh 429! (drool....)

Oh how I would love to drive one of those again!! in any flavor!

maybe a nice Boss 429, oh or maybe a nice side oiler 427 in a cobra mmmmmm.....

ahhh what great innovative engines, you've gotta love the stuff that was going on in 67 through 70 in the car world. Unfortunately I am too young to have experienced it.

Excuse me while I drool over some mustang posters...