When I bought my '51 F1 the only thing I didn't like about it was the SBC and it really wasn't running all that great. I have a fresh '69 351W. I'm pulling the 350 and giving it to a buddy and installing the 351 in the F1. So, here's the question; Is there a motor mount made that makes it easy to set a SBF where a SBC was or do I need to cut out the Chevy frame mounts and weld in Ford mounts? No, I don't really have anything at all against a SBC other than the fact everybody has one. When and if I ever build a Chevy (I love Advance Design pickups and Tri-Five Chevys) I'll have a SBC in it.
I'd do new mounts, you can place the engine and trans right where it needs to be for driveline angle, firewall and floor clearance, header clearance etc. Using a new conversion on top of a previous old conversion is sketchy - are the old mounts for the chevy excellent quality work?
Yes, somebody did a good job welding in the Chevy mounts. In a way I hate to cut them out but it's really not a big deal, just wanted to save myself a little work if possible. What you say about being able to adjust the engine and trans for optimal position/driveline angles makes perfect sense too.
Here you go.... 1948-64 Ford F1, F-100 Truck Engine Mount Crossmember, Ford V8 (performanceonline.com) There's multiple suppliers of these, this was just the first one to come up. You'll need to remove the chevy mounts.
I got an idea that you would be way better off just building mounts for the SBF. Your post makes me chuckle. I am pretty fond of Chebbys. That said if I could find a Chevy II (box Nova) that I could afford, I know where I can lay my hands on a 302 (5.0) roller motor, and while I usually have a stout SBC around I would sure like to put the little Ford in one.
I think the SBF is a couple inches longer than the SBC. Take some measurements.... In case you have to move the radiator forward a bit.
Yes it is due to the longer water pump/timing cover. Thankfully the '51 appears to have ample room but I will measure carefully.
Your post makes me chuckle. I am pretty fond of Chebbys. That said if I could find a Chevy II (box Nova) that I could afford, I know where I can lay my hands on a 302 (5.0) roller motor, and while I usually have a stout SBC around I would sure like to put the little Ford in one. Haha!! I've had similar thoughts! My best friend has a Chevy II with a 327 however and I would personally leave that thing alone! What I grow weary of is out of 5000 Fords at a show, 4950 of them have SBC engines, and the other 50 have something interesting for power. I understand the ease of installation, cheap power, availability of parts, yadda yadda yadda.............I just gotta be different I guess.
It very well might. That crossmember is designed for a front-sump oil pan, if you need to switch to a rear-sump pan it may not work.
That will take a Bronco pan and pickup tube. If you aren't on it already the Older, Classic & Antique Trucks - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums (ford-trucks.com) has a pretty solid knowledge base on specific years and models.
I just went through a SBC to SBF swap in my Lincoln. I had to cut the Chevy mounts off and build mounts for the 302. Surprisingly, the passenger exhaust only had to have a different flange to bolt up to the Explorer manifolds I used. I do have much more length under hood than you do, but the SBF ended up being pretty close to the same place as the SBC was. Even the wiring was close, I only had to extend a couple of wires.
On some very popular later model off topic small trucks, they bolt steel plates to the off topic engines mounts. The plates are slotted and the plates allow some lattitude in positioning the motor onto the mounts. You might lower your engine into place and see if similar plates could be made for your setup. If not then cut em out and replace.
I shot a Jail Bar Ford with an SBF for a magazine in the '90s. Sweet truck, 302 with a polished tunnel ram. All under the hood. The guy said it had a 427 Chebby in it and it was "a gas to drive" when he got it. He showed me the 427, it was between the horns of a beautifully chopped and leaded '50 Merc. His excuse for the swapping around of parts that didn't seem like the norm was, "well it seemed like a good idea at the time" There are a lot of reasons for what we do. Sometimes it is to follow the pack, others it is to be a rogue wolf, and sometimes it just seemed like a good idea at the time. The most popular swap for F1s where I lived when I was in high school was the Olds 394 believe it or not. they were plentiful and fit like they were factory. I do not think you will have any problem with the SBF in your F1 they have a lot of room in the engine bay. Sometimes the oil pan is an issue but a truck pan will cure any problems with that. Make sure you show it off. Even if the mill looks stock. I wanna see it.
My '42 had a 428 FE in it so I have no doubt the 351 will fit without too many issues as long as I have the correct oil pan. I did need to run a remote oil filter on the '42 and relocate the battery to the bed. I plan to do the same on the F1.
The Jalopy Journal
