Is it possible to change engines from a 360c to a new liter engine on a 1976 Ford F250

990

Asked by MikeSt Jul 08, 2014 at 11:12 PM about the Ford F-250

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 1976 F250 with a 360c engine that gets about 10 mpg on a good day. How difficult is it to swap engines for the new liter engines? Can it be done and is it worth it?
thank you,
MikeSt

4 Answers

44,845

It can be done, anything can be done with enough skill, time, and money- but just rigging the electronics to run the computer will take a lot of all that- you would have a unique and cool truck if is done right- and better than one of those new plastic trucks- but this is just basically building yourself a truck from the ground up-it would be easier and cheaper to just buy one of the plastic wonders that already gets 20mpg-

2 people found this helpful.
990

Thank you for your answer jamblues, it is helpful. That's my problem, I don't really want a new plastic truck, that's why I've had this one for 30 years! I swore a very long time ago that I'd never own a truck that was made after 1978. HOWEVER, I don't see anything wrong with 20 mpg (or better) or proper air bags and other safety devices that save thousands of lives every year. I just put 12 gallons of gas in my truck and it cost me $50.00! That should get me down the road about 100 miles give or take a little.

1 people found this helpful.
44,845

I like your attitude- about the new, 21st Century vehicles- I feel the same way- my car is a '74- instead of adapting the new technology into your truck there is another way to go- you could just use the old way to get better mileage- a 6-cylinder in a truck could be set up to get that 20mpg, especially with a 4-speed- if those carbs are set up right they are extremely stingy with gas- back in the '60s and 70s some people wanted good gas mileage even though gas was cheap- so they put those 6s in trucks for those folks- but most people wanted the POWER- hence the big V8s- it would be an easier project to convert your truck to a 6 cylinder than all the "modernizing" you are contemplating- or just find another pick up with the 6 already in it- the other benefit would be reliability- those 6s run forever and have a surprising amount of torque- a truck with all the computers and electronic sensors will always have somethin' going wrong- just like the reality of the new plastic trucks from the factory- good luck!

1 people found this helpful.
30,515

The difficulty will depending on how new of motor you are looking at for your truck. Ford has multiple bellhousing bolt patterns to throw you for a loop. The easiest solution would be to find a good running truck (2wd or 4wd) with body or frame damage and transplant the entire powertrain into your truck. Depending on the year it may be beneficial to use the newer instrument panel to avoid adapting the speedo and gauges. You will also need to keep the diagnostic port. Or modify your engine or another older engine. There are many aftermarket efi systems out there now that would help an older engine run smoother. Some of the better brands have self tuning features that take the guess work out. There are also DIY methods of adapting EFI to your motor from another or aftermarket but they are more involved and require tuning. IMO (no offense) all 360 FE's that I have ran were thirsty engines with only moderate power. I prefer the 390. Our 300 - 6's were very good engines for their size. If you don't tow or haul heavy loads gearing would make a major difference with your 360. If you do then there are bolt on overdrive kits that would give you more mileage while keeping the rear axle ratio for towing. They are expensive though. An example of gearing: I know a guy up here that pulled a 5+2 tranny from a 3 ton grain truck and installed it in his 2wd chevy 3+3 with a 550 hp - 580 ft-lb (dyno'd at the crank) BBC and gets 18 mpg highway and 12 mpg pulling his 7000 lb + horse trailer. I don't know what ratio he was running out back but it was tall. He hates efi systems and all diesel's so this was his solution.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

F-250

Looking for a Used F-250 in your area?

CarGurus has 226 nationwide F-250 listings starting at $7,495.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    2,070
  • #2
    MikeSt
    Reputation
    990
  • #3
    MrRatchet42
    Reputation
    800
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
6,213 Great Deals out of 132,255 listings starting at $900
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
1,368 Great Deals out of 42,283 listings starting at $2,000
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
1,078 Great Deals out of 30,549 listings starting at $1,350
Used GMC Sierra 2500HD
538 Great Deals out of 20,666 listings starting at $5,988
Used Ford F-350
110 listings starting at $14,438
Used RAM 2500
1,040 Great Deals out of 46,974 listings starting at $3,900
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,215 Great Deals out of 129,939 listings starting at $1,000
Used Dodge RAM 2500
62 Great Deals out of 1,098 listings starting at $1,500
Used Ford F-350 Super Duty
915 Great Deals out of 22,640 listings starting at $3,400
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,943 Great Deals out of 65,869 listings starting at $875
Used Toyota Tundra
1,106 Great Deals out of 32,763 listings starting at $3,000
Used RAM 1500
3,950 Great Deals out of 88,139 listings starting at $3,500
Used Dodge RAM 1500
81 Great Deals out of 1,591 listings starting at $995
Used Ford Mustang
914 Great Deals out of 22,396 listings starting at $1,100
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,981 Great Deals out of 32,524 listings starting at $2,990

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.