Ford V8, 351, 390, or 460?

[ls2gto]

I'd definitely go 4.8/5.3/6.0 iron truck motor and I've got a 4.6 mod motor in my Mustang. 5.3 would probably be better since they're so much cheaper than the 6.0. I've seen a complete one pulled from a running wreck for $500 with intake and accessories. Probably not a typical price, though. 285 hp or so stock, but easily upgradeable since its basically a small, heavier LS1. 6.0's seem to cost alot more since the F body guys snatch them up.

As far as I'm concerned, the newer GM V8's do everything better than the Fords, and in a smaller package (outside dimensions). Good for swaps since its been done so many times, in so many different vehicles, and there are so many people selling wiring harnesses and programming.

Too bad GM can't put anything decent around their drivetrain...

FWIW, I think this project could cost 20k+ more than planned. I looked into the Volvo axles before I got my air lockers. Ouch. If you're going to swap axles anyway, you could open up your transfer case options.

Can't even imagine putting a carb'd motor in the 80. Carb's just don't run good on the trail, not to mention you might have to pass emissions sometime in the future, depending on elections, etc.

Resale value would go down with a carb'd V8, up with a diesel or efi V8.

If you stay with the Ford, I've got an Early Bronco transfer case in my garage that I need to get rid of...

 

[-Spike-]

IMHO EFI is the best thing to happen to automobiles since the invention of the pneumatic tyre. You're crazy to swap in a carb, especially on a 4x4. If it were my project, I'd concentrate on the portals and perhaps some option for a t-case doubler and keep the tractor engine you already have. My $.02

-Spike

 

[TiredIronGRB]

IMHO EFI is the best thing to happen to automobiles since the invention of the pneumatic tyre. You're crazy to swap in a carb, especially on a 4x4. If it were my project, I'd concentrate on the portals and perhaps some option for a t-case doubler and keep the tractor engine you already have. My $.02

-Spike

Wise words. Injected or propane is the only way to go on an off-road vehicle.

 

[NorCalSam]

You should look into a different rig

he all ready said it. lol


I wouldn't put any Ford crap in me cruiser.
I mean, so much for the legendary reliability.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Wise words. Injected or propane is the only way to go on an off-road vehicle.

I agree with TiredIron... However, if I was in your shoes, I would do the 351W with a C4 behind it. I would stay away from the Volvo portals due to parts availability. I finally decided myself that I would be so pissed to break em it wouldn't be worth it. However, it might not be a bad idea to run F350 axles (Dana 60 / Dana 70) and a Ford t/c (like a twin sticked Dana 300). The only thing that would be an issue would be the factory fuel tank, but you could remove it and run a sub-tank as your primary. Just a thought from another young mind... let the flying poo continue.

 

[Mace]

he all ready said it. lol


I wouldn't put any Ford crap in me cruiser.
I mean, so much for the legendary reliability.

Do you really have any idea what you are talking about??

a well tuned 351W can easily last 200K.

I do wanna know the curb weight of a 5.3 or a 6.0..
Since they are so much smaller and better..

 

[Martin White]

The small amount of money you save on "free" engines will be eclipsed by the insane fuel guzzling motors you are thinking about. Do a payback calculation. Unless of course this truck is going to be driven very little. Then it won't matter. But 6 mpg vs 22-25 mpg is a HUGE difference. The way fuel costs are going, you aren't going to want to drive your truck, or be able to afford it.

 

[alkaline747trio]

Over the next 4 years, at the least...the LC will be taking a break. I'll be in college, everything is within walking distance, or a bus is ready to take me there, or I have my 85 Accord to get me there. If it doesn't involve hauling a lot of stuff, or going camping/wheeling, then the LC will be sitting. And when I graduate, I have been promised a new FJC or Taco, so after August 20th, the LC will be my main vehicle, but it wont be used much.

I do need to research the strength of the Volvo portals, but with my driving style, I'm not too worried about anything breaking. Heck my stock axles have held up to 11.00r16 XLs and 38.5 Boggers, including roasting all 4 Boggers on the asphault without a hiccup. And TiredIron is running 40s fairly hard and hasn't broken anything yet, and the stuff he is doing is as hard as I'll ever get with this.

 

[Mace]

The small amount of money you save on "free" engines will be eclipsed by the insane fuel guzzling motors you are thinking about. Do a payback calculation. Unless of course this truck is going to be driven very little. Then it won't matter. But 6 mpg vs 22-25 mpg is a HUGE difference. The way fuel costs are going, you aren't going to want to drive your truck, or be able to afford it.

WHAT FAWKING 351 GETS 6 MPG?!?!?!?!?

Come on!!!!


Diesel and volvo portals is hard.. The gearing becomes an issue.

Go 351W/C4
I even have a 2wd C4 that is the small block bolt pattern I'll sell ya for cheap..

 

[alkaline747trio]

School me on the C4 and the t-cases that can bolt to it and all my options. I know Toyotas and Ford engines.

 

[Mace]

Depends, you want volvo portals?

351/c4/203/stock tcase..

Done..

 

[alkaline747trio]

Stock t-case? You mean 60 t-case, right?

 

[Mace]

yes, 60 tcase for simplicity and strength..

 

[alkaline747trio]

Buuutttt....with the C4/203/split I will have great ratios, but will probably have to change all my center console stuff and chop some of the floorboard, right? I dont really have quite the attention to details about cosmetic stuff, atleast...I wont go out of my way to make it look good, but will be pissed that it doesnt. So that is gonna hold me back from giving up the factory fit and finish of the A440...or am I way off and things are gonna just drop in and fit with little cutting?

 

[alkaline747trio]

Another question...what's the difference between the C6 and C4, and between the 203 and 208?

 

[Mace]

C4/6 and the tcases can be run with cables/air actuated instead of solid steel. 4wd can be a switch..

C4 is a "weaker" variant of the two. C6 is bigger, heavier and stronger in stock form. The C4 can easily be built up to handle whatever hp a 351W can put out.

203 and 208 are chain driven tcases. The 203 has a benefit of having a range box that is detachable from the rest of the Tcase. It is also standard gear drive, the 208 is a planetry system and does nto lend itself to a reduction box..


From what I know of the A440, it could handle a mildly built 351W..

 

[Dusty]

Depends, you want volvo portals?

351/c4/203/stock tcase..

Done..

Amen.
powerfull strong and cheap

no portals needed for you school boy. gut a big ford truck and make off with axles. now you still have money to buy that wife you will need.

My dad sold his 80's bronco with 230K+ miles on it years ago. its still driving aroung my town with 300k+. see it all the time. same motor. just treat it like the anal toyota boys treat their trucks and they will run and run and run....

 

[mickdundee..]

Mate, i saw a 351w in a 60series not long ago. It ran the standard A440, 4.11's, 35" , power steering, ac and radiator. The only thing that stood out was the carb was turned around 90 degrees and the 3fe throttle mechanism attached I should of takin pic's
cheers mick

 

[Mace]

A FI setup for a Windsor motor is also VERY easy to wire up. It is a modular system. You only need to hook up about 10 wires to the harness and you are done..


BTW, I am STILL waiting for someone that gets 6 mpg out of their 351.. My 94 Ford got 9 with a cabover and towing the cruiser from Vegas to Moab. Not great, but that certainly is not 6 mpg unladen..

 

[zombiekiller]

perhaps rhetorical but... if you want a ford motor, trans, tcase, possibly axles... why not just buy a ford? you're fastly approaching have nothing toyota aside from the body.

i can absolutely see the line of thought in grafting portals into an 80 series. enough room to run 38s, insane pumpkin clearance, etc etc. at the end of the day, its a toyota with some volvo portals thrown in.

with all the ford parts, at the end of the day it is a freakin bronco or f350 or whatever with a toyota body thrown in.

... if what you seek is lots of ford parts, buy a ford.