I'll post some pics of the pick-up later. But, I have a summer project I'm pretty enthused about. I have an '86 F-150, with a carberated inline 6, and a four speed manual transmission with a pretty wicked granny gear.
I'd really like to drop a 302 in it; looks easy enough without all the wires and mess since it's not fuel injected. I need to know if the 302 will fit onto this tranny without any major modifications? What year 302 do I need? And what kind of cheap carb should I get? (Or can I use the 'ole 1 barrel that's on it now)
Like I said, I'm pretty excited about this project, and I think it could be done, pretty quickly and easily too. I just don't know about compatability. Thanks!!

 

The tranny will bolt up, same pattern. You'll need a 302 flywheel, different balance. The radiator fittings are backwards. You'll need new motor mounts, but you knew that.

 

You'll need new motor mount perches. Those are the deals that are attached to the cross-member and the motor mount attach to them. I've done several of these and they are easy to get from a junk yard. Ford rivets them on but you can burn em out, use a cold chisel, or a sawzall to remove them. Make sure you use good bolts ( I like Grade 8) when you bolt them on to your truck. If ya really need a set let me know I have a set here I'll sell ya.

ccs61@charter.net

Use all the stock stuff that came with the 302 including the mounts. You will need a rear sump oil pan so get one from truck.

 

It will be easiest to pull the front clip since you are going to be putting in the new perches. This will allow you to pull the engine and tranny together, assemble the clutch and drop it all back in together. Dont forget to pick up a 302/351 fan shroud.


Since your messing with it, a 351w would be well worth your while. Its the same swap with half again the improvement. The 351 HO (made 86-87 I believe) will have an improved cam and 4 barrel setup already.

 

Pull the clip? No way. That is totally not necessary. I have done three of these conversions and it is really simple. Leave the front clip on the truck. If you have all the wiring for the donor engine it all plugs in so make sure you get it. You will need the ignition box for the V8 as well. A 351W would be an excellent choice.

 

I found it easier to pull the clip myself when I did my conversion. In a normal rebuild I wouldn't, but a few things will have to be changed under there and it saves you from hanging over the thing like a monkey or crawling in it. Plus lining the engine up with the tranny and installing the clutch negotiating the hindrances of the engine mounts is always a hassle. To each his own but its not that big of a deal when youve got her torn apart anyways.

 

Personally, I run screaming and hollering from the thought of doin anymore bodywork than pulling and reinstalling a hood. As I recall it took my brother and I exactly 45 minutes to pull the engine(not counting the time it took to remove things like radiator) and cut loose the old perches, and bolt in the new ones, and a little over an hour to drop the new engine in place. I don't see how spending hours to remove and replace the front clip is going to improve on that. Not to mention that you have to worry about scratched paint as well as new dents and the pain in the rear it is to get it all lined up again. Spaceman you have a nice looking truck and all but there is a better way. We are not talking about changing the cross member or anything like that. Just 2 little perches

 

LOL.

It aint that bad and if you had to worry about dents or alignments you removed the wrong parts.

Do what you feel comfertable with.

 

Well, one of the main reasons I was going to choose the 302 was the availability of parts, and the semi-desent gas milage. However, if you all seriously believe the 351 is much more well worth it, I will definitly look into it.
I have never done one of these conversions before, this truck has been a project that I have used to "learn" on for the past several years. I like to learn to tinker, and have gained much knowledge from this old truck.
My dad always used to do everything. He'd always change oil, replace gaskets, even push-rods. I think I really took it for granted what he could do, and that he'd always be there to do it. He's recently been diagnosed with Parkison's, and I've been looking at things a lot differently latley. I'd like to have the automotive knowledge he's had, and be able to say that he really did pass something on to me, that I did pay attention.

I put some pictures of the truck onto a temporary webpage. As you can see, it looks fairly simple, once the weather warms up a little, I'm going to attack the project like the U.S. is terrorism.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/R...trucktemp.html