I've got one for you .How hard is it to put a sbc.in a stock uncliped 57'ford car?The front suspension seems good ,and I am told that its hard to clip a late 50's ford and make it sit good so I want to leave it stock ford with cut coils.The problem is the motor I dont like ford drivetrain. I have a good running "327" and turbo "350",but YBlocks are front sumps .I Know a guy who has chevy 2 pan for $50.00 will this fit the frame ?Has any one tried this ?
I did this swap into a 54 Ford many years ago. So hers what I recall. Use the chevy 2 oil pan, pick up and oil pump. Then use 66 chevy truck side motor mounts as the studs go into the present cross member holes with very little work. add a chevy yoke to the drive shaft.On the exhalst manifolds I think I used the A body or chevelle type a little trouble around the stearing box. If yours is a automatic the linkage is a easy mod.all the rest is very simple fabrication. I would suggest that you find a donor Ford car with a 302 or 351 with auto as that would be a lot more simple to change over. I always liked the FE engines in the ranchero.
Yowie!!??? Man you're gonna go through that much extra work just to mount a Chev? Specifically what is that wrong with Ford V8's that would make decide to choose the sbc. If nothing else about 3/4 of potential buyers in the event you decide to ever sell the car in the future will be turned off by the Chevy engine. Just a thought.....late `60's early `70's Lincolns with their 460's can be bought running just about anywhere for about $300 bucks for the whole car. I'd get a doner like that and do the swap on the cheap. Also the early 429- 460's crush nearly every other engine combo in the "bang for the buck" category. Plus you'll still have a real Ford when you're all done. No?
I dont like the fact that Ford drivetrain is less interchangable than G.M junk.Besides that my 53'Chevy is running a small block Olds,so It's almost like tradition to use a different engine.As far as it being worth more with the right engine,its chopped and already has a monte carlo rearend,so it not exactly a virgin.Besides, I buildem to drive not $ell....
[ QUOTE ] I dont like the fact that Ford drivetrain is less interchangable than G.M junk.Besides that my 53'Chevy is running a small block Olds,so It's almost like tradition to use a different engine.As far as it being worth more with the right engine,its chopped and already has a monte carlo rearend,so it not exactly a virgin.Besides, I buildem to drive not $ell.... [/ QUOTE ] Yes (and this just my opinion of course) but a Lincoln 460 is to a Ranchero in the same way an Olds is to your `53 Chevy. BTW how many parts interchange between a 350 Olds and a 350 Chev anyway? The myth about interchangeability has always skirted the fact that each GM division has their own completely different engine family. Nobody ever seems to have a problem with that . You are right though a Lincoln 460 would probabley "twist off" that Monte Carlo rearend anyway, better stick with the "mouse".
I meant that things like transmissions ,carbs dist.caps would swap out.I didnt say you could take the pistons out of 500 cad and drop them in babit six ,with rods from a nailhead.But since you brought it up how many parts will swap between a edsel v8 a lincoln v8 and a ford v8 from the same damn year?
A 460 Ford would be just as much a PITA to swap in as a 350 Chevy will be, so I don't see how the 460 is better. Me, I'd drop in a hot 292 Y block. Direct bolt in, no h***les- and in my opinion way better than a SBC or a 460 Ford. But its not my car to decide, so best of luck getting the Chebby to fit. Hang the SBC from a hoist, lower it into the engine bay, & see what you got. Nothing like actually seeing the engine in the bay to help you get an idea of where you're at & what you'll need.
I have a 350 in my 56, use the chevy II oil pan , get those cheap aftermarket sidemounts with the doughnuts and the standard old transmount and you have it. I can get you part #s. Remember the pick up tube, oil pump, and oil pump drive is different. And as far as putting a FORD in it, any one can put a FORD in a FORD !!!!
Well 429/460 swaps are actually realitively common since the FE engines are getting more expensive and harder to find. For anyone interested check www.critesrestoration.com for more insight on this swap. My whole point here is to offer viewpoint on how to make a `57 Rancho go fast for cheap and easy. Everybody always told me that the sbc is the engine of choice for early Fords 'cause they're easier to swap. Now in the case of these mid-`50's Fords, a genuine Ford engine is far easier to install than anything else bar none. Am I missing something? Don't mean to seem contentious here but what gives?
[ QUOTE ] And as far as putting a FORD in it, any one can put a FORD in a FORD !!!! [/ QUOTE ] Now that's different!!!
[ QUOTE ] Well 429/460 swaps are actually realitively common since the FE engines are getting more expensive and harder to find. For anyone interested check www.critesrestoration.com for more insight on this swap. My whole point here is to offer viewpoint on how to make a `57 Rancho go fast for cheap and easy. Everybody always told me that the sbc is the engine of choice for early Fords 'cause they're easier to swap. Now in the case of these mid-`50's Fords, a genuine Ford engine is far easier to install than anything else bar none. Am I missing something? Don't mean to seem contentious here but what gives? [/ QUOTE ] I agree putting a chevy in a 50's ford was a pain, but I am glaid I did it. Now that its done all the parts are cheaper and easyer to find. The only down side is that its not worth as much as one with a ford in it !!
I can never get over how much you yanks ***** about how hard it is to find parts to do a swap!! **** try doing a similar thing in Australia or england or sweden, then you can ***** about it. Just coz you got the chubby doesnt mean that it will be cheaper, could be by the time you add up the cost of all the parts you need to get it to custom fit, that your more out of pocket. Just a thought, but do the math, you might beable to sell the chubby and get a ford V8 and know that you can buy parts that will make it a bolt in for cheaper?? Dont know, havent done it, but I have done things that in the end, what you think is going to be cheaper just coz you have one of the main parts, ends up being more expensive coz you cant be bothered looking at the situation from a different light. As I said, just sit down and add it all up, you might be surprised. And surely SBF/FE/Y block parts arent that more expensive than chevy stuff?? after all are you putting plugs and leads on it each month? just seems to me that some of you yanks just want to stuff a chev into everything as the aftermarket parts are cheap. Hell, in Australia we have guys putting SBF into chevs! Now THAT is different! regardless, hope it works out and you get a killer ride YOUR happy with.
F#%k the WHY?!-Block...you're on the right track here. The Y-Block is comparable size to the SBC and both utilize side mounts. My 272 Y-Block was a rear sump, so using a Chevy II pan or any far rear sump aftermarket deal will be cake. You can adapt the Chevy engine mounts to the factory perches that are welded to the crossmember. This shouldn't be too hard in the scheme of things. Both the Y-Block and the SBC have a starter on the right side, which will make exhaust routing easier. A set of cast iron factory headers will work and can be had for next to nothing. Block huggers will work, however, you may need to route exhaust under the front crossmember and then up to the collectors. As far as a trans mount and crossmember goes, my '57 was equipped with a 3 speed manual and utilized a rear trans crossmember. This would be able to be easily modified to use a GM transmount and judging by where it mounts to the frame, may not be far off at all with a TH350 and a short tailshaft. You'll make your life so much easier by dropping in a SBC because anything you need to make it fit is available in the aftermarket. Not to mention the SBC will make just as much if not more HP than an FE or BB Ford, and weigh considerably less. A standard SBC weighs 575, a Y-Block, 625, an FE 670 and 460 is 720. An FE is the path of least resistance, a 390 or 352 will essentially bolt right in, but then the cost of parts increases and availability of parts decreases. A 429 or 460 is a bigger PITA to swap in because not only don't the mounts line up, but it's a physically bigger engine to fit in there. If I can shoehorn a BB Mopar into a '57 Ford, you can drop in a SBC. Good luck.
I went and looked at a 57 Ranchero about a month ago. Its for sale,I can get it if I want. It had a 327/4speed in it. Was done years ago. Fit nice. Remember,build your ford right,with genuine CHEVY parts .....Shiny
How about a 390 in a 57 Belair? Or better yet a 406 in a 55 cheby. Sorry for the ****py resolution. I had to change it to low so the picture would load.
[ QUOTE ] F#%k the WHY?!-Block...you're on the right track here. The Y-Block is comparable size to the SBC and both utilize side mounts. My 272 Y-Block was a rear sump, so using a Chevy II pan or any far rear sump aftermarket deal will be cake. You can adapt the Chevy engine mounts to the factory perches that are welded to the crossmember. This shouldn't be too hard in the scheme of things. Both the Y-Block and the SBC have a starter on the right side, which will make exhaust routing easier. A set of cast iron factory headers will work and can be had for next to nothing. Block huggers will work, however, you may need to route exhaust under the front crossmember and then up to the collectors. As far as a trans mount and crossmember goes, my '57 was equipped with a 3 speed manual and utilized a rear trans crossmember. This would be able to be easily modified to use a GM transmount and judging by where it mounts to the frame, may not be far off at all with a TH350 and a short tailshaft. You'll make your life so much easier by dropping in a SBC because anything you need to make it fit is available in the aftermarket. Not to mention the SBC will make just as much if not more HP than an FE or BB Ford, and weigh considerably less. A standard SBC weighs 575, a Y-Block, 625, an FE 670 and 460 is 720. An FE is the path of least resistance, a 390 or 352 will essentially bolt right in, but then the cost of parts increases and availability of parts decreases. A 429 or 460 is a bigger PITA to swap in because not only don't the mounts line up, but it's a physically bigger engine to fit in there. If I can shoehorn a BB Mopar into a '57 Ford, you can drop in a SBC. Good luck. [/ QUOTE ] Joe each to his own, and I'm surely aware, through experience, that the Ford vs. sbc argument is futile, but I just can't agree with you on your engine comparo above. Certainly the sbc is a worthy choice and a wonderful starting point, but exactly how does one figger that an sbc puts out the same power levels as the FE and 429/460. Do you mean a stock Ford vs. a highly modified sbc? Because if that's what you mean the sbc can't compare pricewise. Shoot when I was a young'in the oval track races that I attended outlawed any Ford with "Cleveland" heads. Seems they were too much for the sbc's to handle and we all know majority rules.Those were'nt even big blocks! The Ford 429/460's were rated between 320 to 365 hp from `68- `71 in stock form. Power levels that exceed 500hp are easy with the stock head and block early 460. That's barely over 1hp per cubic inch if you think about it, which means it can be done mild and streetable. All over the place I see guys eager to get their hands on a 700+ pound 331" hemi. What is the power to weight ratio of that engine? Do they make 365hp in stock form? How much lighter than a 460 is your 383 Mopar? You are giving up 77" right off the bat, that would mean the Mopar would have to be significantly lighter. I'll bet a 460 with an aluminum intake is closer in weight than you think. Remember the 460 does not have a "skirted" block like the 383 and the intake is m***ive so the use of aluminum there(a common performance upgrade) makes alot of difference. What's the deal?
I didnt know this was going to turn in to one of those damn chevy vs ford vs packard vs hummer wars.I dont really care which one is better ,all I care about is the one sitting in front of me.Thanks to those who gave me tips on how to mount ,I appreciate it
FoMoCo 302/351 are easy and cheap. Some Chevy Originality Nut will prolly pay enough for the 327 for you to put a complete Ford drivetrain in it.
[ QUOTE ] I meant that things like transmissions ,carbs dist.caps would swap out. [/ QUOTE ] Uhhh.. ******s.. hmmm. last time I checked the Olds 350 had a BOP bolt pattern and the Chevy had a Chevy... hmmm. yeah I can swap a carb from a Ford to a Packard to a Lincoln to a Buick, so what... Some distributor caps will... Just do what your gonna do and quit making up weak *** excuses...
I guess you have never seen a "350" turbo with a multi pattern.Solution:get lighter sungl***es,or eat more carrots there good for your eyes.Almost forgot its not "BOP" its "BOPC" pattern, Cadilacs were made by G.M too last time I checked.
[ QUOTE ] Joe each to his own, and I'm surely aware, through experience, that the Ford vs. sbc argument is futile, but I just can't agree with you on your engine comparo above. Certainly the sbc is a worthy choice and a wonderful starting point, but exactly how does one figger that an sbc puts out the same power levels as the FE and 429/460. Do you mean a stock Ford vs. a highly modified sbc? Because if that's what you mean the sbc can't compare pricewise. Shoot when I was a young'in the oval track races that I attended outlawed any Ford with "Cleveland" heads. Seems they were too much for the sbc's to handle and we all know majority rules.Those were'nt even big blocks! The Ford 429/460's were rated between 320 to 365 hp from `68- `71 in stock form. Power levels that exceed 500hp are easy with the stock head and block early 460. That's barely over 1hp per cubic inch if you think about it, which means it can be done mild and streetable. All over the place I see guys eager to get their hands on a 700+ pound 331" hemi. What is the power to weight ratio of that engine? Do they make 365hp in stock form? How much lighter than a 460 is your 383 Mopar? You are giving up 77" right off the bat, that would mean the Mopar would have to be significantly lighter. I'll bet a 460 with an aluminum intake is closer in weight than you think. Remember the 460 does not have a "skirted" block like the 383 and the intake is m***ive so the use of aluminum there(a common performance upgrade) makes alot of difference. What's the deal? [/ QUOTE ] Mike (Henry Floored), We've been through this before man, and my stance won't change. I dislike Y-Blocks, and the reason is because although they look and sound cool, and the adjustable rockers were ahead of their time, they make dog**** HP for the amount of money that it would take to build one thoroughly, and they're not capable of making real STREETABLE horsepower. To prove my claim, I'll invite anyone to visit www.ford-y-block.com and checkout the 340 ci Y-blocks they built, but ****yze the specs of the motor, ie compression, machine work, and cam profile. Then think about how much money it took to build that motor, and apply that same amount to a SBC, SBF, FE, B/RB Mopar...the results wouldn't even be close. I never ***erted that a SBC was the only way to make cheap HP, Mustangs with 302 have clearly shown that SBF's can throw down too. A 351C would be a good choice for a motor swap too. However, FE's into a '57 Ford are just as boring as a SBC to me, it's so easy it's played out. A 429/460 can surely make power, but the 327 gives up so many cubes to either of them that it's not even a fair comparison. The 327 is a smaller motor and since '57 Ford's don't have the biggest engine bays of all 50's cars, going with a smaller block isn't such a bad idea. My 383 comes in at a stout 625 lbs, will make 330 hp/425 lbs of torque in stock form. Also, mine is decked out with aluminum intake and mini starter, which shaves off a few lbs. I could upgrade to the tall deck (413/440) and go to 670 lbs., which is still less than the BBF. A Chevy is a good way to go, as is a SBF...but NO Y-BLOCK. That's my story and I'm stickin to it!!
Me and a buddy did this type of conversion on his '54 Lincoln. It's not that bad, and the exhaust might take a little work. And to coment on the power to weight ratio thing.... Onve we set that sbc on the motormounts we made, the front end didn't drop an inch. Obvsously the sbc is a lot lighter & the thing still lights up the tires just fine... Herea some pics of the engine mounts we made. BYC
Yeah guys really I guess it's stupidity on my part to argue down the sbc. No amount of bellyache'in will change your mind will it? Just thought I could save an old Ford from the jaws of the dreaded mouse. Have at it and have fun. Oh and I'm sorry if I hijacked your thread. Really!
I guess gm just didn't build any vehicles that are worth sticking all those wonderful sbc's in! Either that or the gm cars don't last long enough to stick all those sbc's in!!! I guess I'm one of the minority around here I like my Ford products to have Ford drivetrains! Guess it's a good thing I don't own that Chero.
[ QUOTE ] Why do you use the "..." around 327? Is it a 350 that you're gonna make look like a 327 or what? [/ QUOTE ] What does your 46 stude have in it ? Just wondering !!!
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