I have a 1958 f100 long box 2wd fresh outta the body shop and its about time to put a "bigger" motor in it. Right now I have a 300 6 cylinder 4 speed manual in it and well....it runs great but doesnt have the good sound and POWER that I prefer. After we get the Cordoba front suspension under it HOPEFULLY this spring I need to upgrade the engine. Now, I want to be able to cruise in it around town without overheating and also cruise from town to town without filling up at every gas station along the way. I'm just looking for some ideas that may work so that if I do happen to come across a setup that might work for a reasonable price I might have to purchase it. So what do you think...302 Stroker motor? 351 Cleavland? Thanks for the ideas!

 

My truck I had in high school was a 1970 F100 with a 289 backed up bye a 4 speed. My 1971 F100 I drive now has a 351W/C4 automatic. I really like the small blocks, they got my vote for your future powerplant. Good luck!

 

I have tons of room under the hood for a big block, but I also think that a small block would be my best bet, my brother has a 351 Cleavland in his Mustang and it runs really nice but I heard rumor that a stroked 302 could spank it, I'm not sure. Then again we are taking about a big old pickup vs. a small Mustang. Competition gets ahold of me ALOT!

 

mostly because I had one in my '69 Falcon that ran really really REALLY well. However, with that said, I've always thought a 347 stroker 302 would be really nice too. How much weight are you pushing around? Regardless, a nicely built 347 with a 5 speed overdrive trans and deep gears in the rear would have a lot of snap to it, yet still get good mileage. Are you afraid of fuel injection at all? THAT would be a head turner, a fuel injected 347 in your old Ford. Just my $.02 .

Pat

 

Thats kinda what I was leaning to....YES fuel enjection would be a neat deal in that old beauty. That would sure make people look twice when they are under the hood checking things out. Thanks for the ideas guys!

 

I'd say go with the 5.0. You could probably find a wrecked GT or LX mustang, something from the mid-90's. Take the whole set up, motor, tranny, computer and all! Wouldn't murder your wallet, good power, and decent fuel mileage. Let us know what you decide to do, this could be interesting!

 

FWIW, my brother in law has a 88 (or 89?) Cougar with a FI 302 in it. It's been parked for awhile, so it most likely needs a rebuild. BUT, you could buy the whole car very cheaply and that'd give you the wiring and everything. Reason it was parked because the AOD trans crapped out. Let me know if you're interested and I can get more details on price, etc. It's located in northeast Nebraska near Wayne.

 

*Scratches head* What about an FE or something like a 460? Oh wait, I just saw the part about gas stations......anyway, my "hot" 390 can get 10-11 mpg if you can resist the skinny pedal (I can't). If you go with a small block you could always stroke a 351W (408 cubes anyone?)..........I think that'd be fun. If the money allows, I'd go with at least a 347.....

-Jake

 

I just found a Lincoln Town Car in Wilcox today and a friend of mine actually has it. He got the car given to him and he just wants the suspension, he said that I could have the fuel enjected 5.0, so ofcourse I couldnt turn it down. It runs good and everything! Since the setup is in a car should I find a tranny out of a pickup with a 302 so it might mount up better or is there a big difference?

 

I made up my mind....its gonna be a fuel enjected 302 stroker....got the motor, thats a good enough start.

 

Most Lincoln town cars have a regular 5.0, (non-ho) which is pretty weak. if you can find an 88-92 Mark VII, they have a fuel injected 5.0HO, just like the mustangs have. they are the same motor, but have speed density, and if you can find a mass-air equipped mustang would be great. Than you have less worries about motor mods. with speed density, if you change anything, the eec freaks out. The best is to find a complete car and pull all the wiring out, it is a chore, but it can be done. The lincolns also have a bunch of wiring in them.

 

I am currently building a 56 F100. I built a 5.0 injected (370 etstimated hp), an ADO Transmission, 3.70 gears in a 9", cordoba front end, 4 wheel disk. I hope to get 18 to 20 down the highway. Only advice I will give you is if your going fuel injected and are going to build a non-stock 5.0 make sure on spending a little more $$$. The computer, injectors, mass air flow sensor and harness are going to set you back $1200 to $1500. People will tell you that you can buy the computer from a wrecked 5.0 but the injectors and MAS is rated for a stock 5.0 - which will not give you the bump your going to want if your putting some HP behind it.

 

Shucks, well I guess that I will need a different donor car, I cant get anything good for free. I probably should have known better. Awsome advice, I would have spent a ton of money and been disappointed if I would have found all of this out later on down the road. Keep looking on...

 

Hey, I tried to pm you but I guess that I do not have enough "privilages", anyways, yes I'm interested in the couger but do you know if it does have the High Output 5.0 in it?

 

I'm not sure, if you aren't in too big of a rush I will check it out when i'm back for Christmas. I'll double check the year too, that should tell us if it's a mass air car or not. To be honest, I'm thinking it's not, but I need to check for sure. BIL said he'd like to get $300 for it, but I think he's drinking his own bathwater. Shoot him an offer and he just might take it.

I'll get some pictures and stuff when I'm up at Christmas, sound cool?