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

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jamnblues answered 2 years ago

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-

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MikeSt answered 2 years ago

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.

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jamnblues answered 2 years ago

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!

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yetilikesbeer answered 2 years ago

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.