engine/tranny swap question

[lane]

I've got a 63 Unibody that with an inline-6. I've got a newly rebuilt 390 and rebuilt c6 transmission that I'd like to drop into it. Will the engine perches that I currently have work for the 390 and is there any modification needed to use the c6 instead of the 3-speed manual that's in it? Also, I'll be switching out the brake pedal as well, something friendlier to the auto transmission . . . any advice on this would be helpful as well.

Lane

[Sixfootfour]

You will likely need some F E engine mounts, shouldn't be too hard to find. I did the C-6 swap, behind my 352, the automatic is longer, and you can relocate the trans mount . The driveshaft will need to be shorter, trans cooler lines added, but a real easy swap. I upgraded to power brakes, and used the wider power brake pedal from the donor truck. I still have my original drum brakes, but now on 2 seperate systems front and back. Sounds like a good place to start, more power and better brakes. Good luck.

[banjopicker66]

Six, I respectfully disagree with your comments, although it is possible you have more information on the existing condition of Lane's project.
Lane, you need to realize that Ford made radical changes in '65 when they introduced the Twin I-Beam suspension. Almost nothing interchanges after '64. Exceptions include the rear axle, the doors, outer fenders and some other few things. The complete cab, braking, steering, shifting, engine, transmission, steering, and suspension are all very different after '64 - nothing interchanges.
That means this swap is not a drop-in solution, because your truck has the old style mounting for engines and transmissions, unless someone has done serious modifications.
Used '64 and earlier, the old style mounts include one on the engine in the front under the crankshaft, two under the bellhousing on the left and right, and the transmission in the rear.
Newer styles after '64, of course, use 2 mounts on the side of the engine and one on the rear of the transmission.
Mounting an FE is a popular upgrade, but you will need to install an aftermarket crossmember, and remove the ears which support the bellhousing. You cannot use the factory engine mounts for the '65 and later trucks in your '63.
A number of the guys have done these kind of swaps before, and they can give you a better idea of the time and work involved.

As for the transmission shifting, you may want to look at using a floor shifter, as some guys have done, or install an aftermarket steering column after modifying your existing steering setup.

As for the brakes, there are great aftermarket brake kits for your truck, to install power disc brakes and other goodies, and this is an excellent safety upgrade. If your truck is running fine now, I would recommend you first put your efforts into upgrading the brakes first.

[6166 Junkyard Dog]

If I was going to put a say 390 in a 61/64 this is How I would do it,, Find a 66/66 4x4 or maybe F350 up with a FE take the front mount off and bellhousing that this bellhousing has the same mounts as the 61/64 trucks have so why cannot that work,, I have not tried that but I keep looking here on what I have at the yard and looks like it might work,,

On the XL Truck I never did look to see how they installed the FE in that chassis but it's a good possibility they did it that way would be nice to see how they did it if I am on the right track on this theory

[banjopicker66]

Tom, that is an idea that might work, I forgot about that.
It might be possible to use the same parts from an FT, but I am not convinced they can be made to work.
About 10 years ago I tried to help a guy put a 390 into an F-600 that blew up the FT 361 it had.
We used the FT front mount and bell housing, and it bolted up, but the exhaust was a problem.
The FT exhaust drops down and runs under, but the FE runs out the back and hit the bell housing supports, and the FT manifolds won't fit the FE heads.
It seems to me also that the FT bell housing was deeper, and the F-600's transmission snout was different, and wouldn't mate to the FE crank.
One challenge we never did address because we didn't get that far was the timing cover.
The FT timing cover was cast iron, probably to support the engine weight, and the FE cover is aluminum. Also the FT crankshaft snout is larger - but it has no sleeve like the FE crank snout does. Would the spacer on the FE crank seal against the front oil seal in the FT cover? Would the FE aluminum timing cover be sufficient to handle the weight of the engine?
Those were ones we never got to test.
I agree, a good way to go about this would be to get the hardware from a '65/66 4x4 that came stock with a 352. Since that is pretty hard to find, an aftermarket crossmember would be easier and quicker, I would think.

[64 f100]

Automatic columns for these trucks do exist but are rare. Since you have the C6 you best bet is to go with an aftermarket cross member engine support. YOu will have to have a transmisswion support also. You may want to look at cutting out the present rear frame cross member to make for a cleaner look and to leave room for the exhaust system. Just remmember, that this gives strength to the frame. The frames of these trucks have a lot of flex and are riveted together in a lot of places and not welded all that well where welded. That cross brace also gives strength to the spring mount area and is a mounting point for the emergency brake cable. In addition you brake line runs accross the back side to the right front brake. All easily remedied problems. I cut mine down accross the top and welded in a plate. If, I had to do it over again, I would take it out entirely, and fabricate some smaller toa ccomplish the same thing that would be a bolt in. The reason I would make it a bolt in brace, I will have to pull the motor to remove the transmission if I remmember right. In the future, when if I have to remove the transmission, then I will modify this brace in that fashion. Why not just take it out? Several people have, and seem to do all right. Consider though the affect that side torque will have on the front end and springs going aorund corners. Those springs have shackles at the front, and are held solid at the rear. The design is placing a lot of the force, to be held, at the rear spring eye. It also matters on how you intend to drive your truck. Most of our members aren't likely to any drifting, but I feel fairly certain you wouldn't be installing the 390 for fuel economy. If you eliminate the rear engine mount brace, I suggest a panhard bar. I would suggest this anyway, along with a swaybar, as I believe it will help with wear and tear on the spring bushings.

Rich

[Sixfootfour]

I just put a C-6 in my 66 F-250, that was an easy swap. Doesn't sound so easy on your truck, as you have to add a crossmember for the engine to mount on. Who makes these aftermarket crossmembers?

[banjopicker66]

The '65/'66 years are the best and easiest for all the swaps discussed here, because things under the hood are directly replaced with safety and creature comfort upgrades from trucks up to '79.
I put a 460/C-6 in my '66, and it was all bolt up, including power disc brakes, power steering, and added an '88 serpentine belt system.
I do not know who actually makes the aftermarket supports, but all the major suppliers sell them.
Caroliina Classics, Dennis Carpenter, LMC, Classic Car parts, Macs, to name a few.