Engine swap to 1978 F150 from 1989 E150
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Junior Member
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Engine swap to 1978 F150 from 1989 E150
Happy New Year from a Newbie.!!
My questions are: Can I (is it feasible to) take a 351W MPFI with C6 transmission, from a 1989 E150 and drop it into a 1978 F150 that currently has a 351M and C6? I don't necessarily have to keep the FI, but it's on there, and I know I'll have to get a new intake manifold for the W, if I don't use the FI. The 351M in the truck is bad (trans OK, which is irrelevant, I guess), and the C6 on the 351W is a basically new Jasper with RV mods.
My biggest fear is getting involved with electricals on the FI harness, and putting in the proper gas tank, etc...
My thinking is that the path of least resistance is the new manifold, carb ...which may involve new motor mounts and I'm wondering if the driveshaft length will be ok.....the '78 was purchased brand new by my Father in Law, so we're keeping it...any info would be appreciated...Thanks.
My questions are: Can I (is it feasible to) take a 351W MPFI with C6 transmission, from a 1989 E150 and drop it into a 1978 F150 that currently has a 351M and C6? I don't necessarily have to keep the FI, but it's on there, and I know I'll have to get a new intake manifold for the W, if I don't use the FI. The 351M in the truck is bad (trans OK, which is irrelevant, I guess), and the C6 on the 351W is a basically new Jasper with RV mods.
My biggest fear is getting involved with electricals on the FI harness, and putting in the proper gas tank, etc...
My thinking is that the path of least resistance is the new manifold, carb ...which may involve new motor mounts and I'm wondering if the driveshaft length will be ok.....the '78 was purchased brand new by my Father in Law, so we're keeping it...any info would be appreciated...Thanks.
Last edited by wxman33; Dec 31, 2018 at 02:30 PM. Reason: missing information
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,542
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From: Joplin MO
The transmission is going to have to stay with the engine, because the 351W and 351M have different bellhousing patterns.
Manifold and carb is going to be the easiest swap.
The 302 was an option in the 1978 F150, so the motor mounts and driveshaft "should" be fine. You may need to get an aftermarket distributor, I think the 1989 distributor needs a computer to work and I don't think the M distributor will work on a W.
Manifold and carb is going to be the easiest swap.
The 302 was an option in the 1978 F150, so the motor mounts and driveshaft "should" be fine. You may need to get an aftermarket distributor, I think the 1989 distributor needs a computer to work and I don't think the M distributor will work on a W.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: So. Texas
You'll be a lot hair better off rebuilding or buying the correct engine rather than what you are considering. Can it be done? Sure, but you need to know that you'll all but rebuild the 89 engine before it runs right. The cam is not the same and will have to be replaced with one that works with a carb , otherwise cam overlap will have a carbed engine trying to puke..
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
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You'll be a lot hair better off rebuilding or buying the correct engine rather than what you are considering. Can it be done? Sure, but you need to know that you'll all but rebuild the 89 engine before it runs right. The cam is not the same and will have to be replaced with one that works with a carb , otherwise cam overlap will have a carbed engine trying to puke..