Technical 55 Ford 6 vs 8

Hi, Ive got a matte black 55 Ford 2dr Customline. Currently running a 351w+C4, but will swap it with a worked over 460 during winter. Got mounts for the swap from a local who used to run a 460 in his 56.

Steering in my car is really loose, and there are some nicks in the snailgear apart from it just being worn. Found a 55 steeringbox from a i6-car locally, are 6 vs 8 boxes the same? Same guy sells the complete frontend from the 6-car including cut off framerails, guess hes going gasser. Are the frontend also the same?

Will dig out some pics

 

If it will fit, the 1958 to '64 full size Ford car steering box may be a better swap. It's the recirculating ball type.
-Dave

 

The steering box is the same in both 6 cyl and V-8 cars.

 

Thanks. Will try to get that box then. Heres some pics my car as it is right now.

 

I like your '55. I'd have that over a '55 Chevrolet anytime. I've always been intrigued with the "round" radios in those cars; a real one of a kind.

 

Johnny; You have a real nice Car to start with. I've been a Ford guy since High School and have done most every combination switch out there. I'm now retired. Just 3 of my current projects are a 57 Ford H. T. A 57 Vert and a 53 F-100. None of them are stock by any measure. I live for Horse Power and reliability. That said I can say I have had a few 460 motors. It would be my very Last choice for a Car such as you have. What your headed for is NOT in any way bolt up kit installation. I'm not saying you shouldn't go that route but I'm curious as to why you have chosen that Motor.
The Wizzard

 

I'm gonna go with the Wizzard.
1) You have a nice car. Real nice
2) 460, overrated, yet too common.
3) Clearance, Clarence.
4) Frame and gear isn't set up for that weight and you'll, overall, be sorry.
5) No going back
6) You have a real nice car.
Did I mention, its YOUR car?

 

I gotta agree with "czuch" on this.

 

Be OK with aluminum heads, intake & tube headers ... better find some SW springs with factory air.

 

Thank guys. Heres the story.

I bought the 460+c6 from a wrecked '59 Fairlane a few years ago, D3-heads with ported exhaust, stock valves, stock pistons in a D1-block and a Crower street cam. Nothing fancy but fresh rebuild and the '59 ran good until smashed.

Plan at the time was to put it in my '64 Galaxie 500 but when thinking it over decided to stay FE, passed the 460 on to my brother and built a 445" FE stroker instead. I was building a lightweight clone, but finally ran out of money so i sold the Galaxie a year after the 445" was built.

At the same time my brother said he was thinking about selling his '55 so i bought it from him. The 460 followed along. Brother had bought parts to do the swap from a local guy we both know who had the same setup (460+c6) in his '56 Ford: custom engine+tranny mounts, driveshaft etc.

Reason i want to do the 460 swap is displacement, dont know whats inside the 351w but it isnt a torque monster and barely lets the tires loose even though it cruises fine. Will be sold to finance a 9" (currently 8").

Could redo the 351 but havent got the cash to finance another engine build, ive done a few and they all get out of hand. I've got the 460 and its in good shape.

I was under the impression the 55/56 front end is pretty stout. The 460 will be all iron except intake. Sure is heavy, but FE isnt lightweight either and i see many FE 55/56 around.

The guy with the '56 was satisfied with his until he swapped to a 427 because he got imagined engine problems...

Well, thanks for comments and opinions. Got something to think about.

 

So just a few things to know and double check to be sure I'm correct. 55 Trans tunnel is much smaller than the 59 is (I happen to own a 59 also). I seem to remember needing to open things up a good bit to get the 460 C-6 back far enough to be able to re install a Radiator in the 55. I am not an electric fan guy at all. 55 is a bit narrower than 59 across the upper A Frame mounts leading to any kind of Exhaust not being easy to install. I have built many sets of custom fit headers to cure this issue so maybe it's a Non issue. Personally for me the over all weight is not a big issue, more fit and finish. A tape measure and a plan is always a good place to start.
The Wizzard

 

Thanks Wizzard, I dont want a electric fan either. Thats a major factor for me really.

Hoping to get by without massaging the trans tunnel. Will set it as low and to the rear as possible, the mounts I got worked fine in the '56 without massaging anything else but trimming the A-arms, fins on the c6 and the exhaust some.

Engine bay will be emptied, cleaned and painted during winter so will take my measurements and lay out the final plan then.

 

Man, that’s a cool car. I had a 460 a few years ago and I loved it, but that was in an F-250 pickup truck. If it fits in your car, hell yeah.

 

For me the perfect engine would be a 351C in that car. I've seen the 429-460 swaps done though. You know what you're up against and if you have skills it will come out nice.

 

Here's wishing you the best. I do like Big as long as it performs well. For some reason I seem to remember the 6-cyl models had the Rad mounted in front of the Core support in the 54-56 years. Is this correct? If so that could help a bunch with the Mechanical Fan. I did an FE in a 56 for a customer back about 1968 or 69 and seem to remember changing out just the Mast Jacket on the steering to a 1959 unit and then had the 3 detent auto shift as a Factory connection to the C-6. Kind of seems Odd to even remember such a thing at this point in life. I'll be hanging around.
The Wizzard