Swapping an 90's engine into a 1976/9 F250?

koda6966 · Mar 20, 2011

My father would like to know hard would it be to swap a newer (lets say early 90's) I6 into a 1976ish F250? I keep trying to convince him to do up a 351 or a 460 but he likes his little I6.

The truck is a 1976 F250 Highboy, with a 1979 F250 Custom body, and a earlier front/rear end. Not sure what year the current engine/trans is but I can supply a photo if needed.

Also, how much more work would be needed to put in a 351? Lets say we bought a complete parts truck to do this with, in either swap. He's not new to the 351, he had one in his Bronco.

This is the truck in question.

Swapping an 90's engine into a 1976/9 F250?

Boggin · Mar 20, 2011

as i said before that truck is my sex. if he wants to throw in another carbd I6 engine it wont be hard at all, but if he is going with EFI it will be a little more difficult, but not too bad. go on fullsizebronco.com and look under the 78-79 section, lots of write-ups on EFI for these trucks.

if he does want to go with a 351, id advise going with a Windsor engine, that way the bellhousing is the same and i am not sure but the engine towers on the frame might line up as well, if he wants a 351 modified, he will need probably new mounts and another transmissions. but big block C6's arent too hard to find, (if it is auto).
good luck to you and your pops

koda6966 · Mar 20, 2011

We'd go with a windsor if we had to choose. Easier to find parts for.

PORTnPOLISH · Mar 20, 2011

Id say just stay. I6. It looks like its used to haul stuff and since the I6 makes more tourqe at a lower rpm it's perfect for hauling loads. If you had the complete efi setup from the donor it should bolt right in. The exhaust will be a little different because efi i6 used 2 manifolds and a y pipe instead of a single outlet manifold. I like the I6 so I say stay i6.

koda6966 · Mar 20, 2011

The trucks regularly used (at least once a week) for hauling a pallet of bluestone into the stoneyard. A pallet is usually anywhere between 1.5 to 2 tons. We use it in the winter to haul wood out of the state forest as well, as we have a permit we try to renew every year to cut wood on a specific lot.

Boggin · Mar 20, 2011

yeah if your doing alot of hauling id keep the I6 for sure, espically if it is mated with a 4spd it will haul a house off the foundation. a 351 will haul it too but its alot heavier, and bigger, so much more drag on the engine, and not as good gas mileage as the I6

PORTnPOLISH · Mar 20, 2011

The bottom line is that this is why diesels are used to haul over gasoline engines. They make peak tq at a lower rpm and really make.it seem like the engine is hardly working to move the load. If its a np435 with 6.33 first gear ratio that thing will be a hauling animal with a i6 compared to a v8.

Swapping an 90's engine into a 1976/9 F250?

koda6966

15+ Year Member

Boggin

15+ Year Member

koda6966

15+ Year Member

PORTnPOLISH

10+ Year Member

koda6966

15+ Year Member

Boggin

15+ Year Member

PORTnPOLISH

10+ Year Member

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