I have a 223 in a 61 F100 that I would like to give a little pick me up. Looking for any advice on most juice for the squeeze for anyone who has built one of these. Initially I would like to stick with bolt on mods (Intake/exhaust/dist) and then do any internal work when I finally get around to body work someday and have a reason to pull the motor. My end goal with the truck is to make it a driver. Being a F100 with a straight 6 I have no illusions about actual speed, but I would like to be able to drive 60 mph with as much power as is reasonable, plus the factory motor adds a little "cool factor". I put a wanted ad out in the cl***ifieds for a 2x1 intake, and I don't know enough to have a brand preference. Honestly just looking at what is available/affordable (Subjective, I know). Pros and cons of different makes, or any reason to shy away from a 3x1 intake if I happened upon one? What else would you suggest? Thanks for the help!
Sometimes one can stumble over the 1961-'64 262", 3.718" bore x 4.03" stroke, used in medium- and heavy-duty Ford trucks. If you decide you want a bit of rump-rump, mill the head .030", give it a good valve job and my local guy can regrind the cam for you. jack vines
When I had my mustang with a 200 in it the basics would have been headers, exhaust and an Offenhauser head with mult. carbs. There is a guy in the L.A. area that specializes in I6 speed equipment. I don't know if he is still in business or his name. Mike
I had a 223 in my 64 pickup. I rarely saw any speed equioment for them. I know ther is a little like an exhaust/intake setup. It might be easiest and cheapest to get an adapter if possible or necessary and upgrade to a better two barrel. Can't remeber if your is a 1 barrel? Ultimately I waited around until I found the perfect 292 yblock. Nearly a straight drop-in with the change of the front mount. Trans should bolt up. Maybe, OR better yet put an adapter an a T5. They do have cams available for the 223. Mine ran great until it didn't one day. The 262 is an option but are quite rare to find and I've looked. They are very stout, but still not much in the of off the shelf performance. Here was my 64 which I converted over to a factory looking 292.
The 223 and 1960's Ford ch***is stubs were the hot ticket for figure-8 racing for years. My engine builder had a knack for them when they were in vogue. Some of them had a hot-sounding cam in them and pulled well off the corner.
I’m not sure of the difference in power between a 235 Chevy and a 223 Ford, but the 235 I had in my ‘59 PU had no issues doing and holding 60 mph. It originally had the 3.92? Posi gears, and I put a Dana 44 under it with 3.54’s, still no issues with the 30 inch tall rear tires I had. Made me wish I’d have run a taller rear gear, but taking off in 2nd was about the most I was comfortable with the 3.54’s. Sold it before I ponied up for a T5. Does the engine run? If so have you driven the truck yet? It may just be a tired engine, maybe run a compression test and get an idea what you’re up against. I’m all for adding intake/exhaust and so on, but you might be starting at the “rear of the pack” so to speak
I ran my 223 60mph all day long Stock. Those trucks came geared rather low. Mine had 3:90 gears. A gear change to 3:50 was my plans before I sold it. Or an OD trans.
Yes mine is 1 barrel now, I was thinking dual 1 barrels to get more fuel to 1 and rather than just putting more fuel in the center of the intake.
Can't recall exactly but seems like you could weld up an intake and seperate twin exhaust to run the two carbs. Might be easiest. If you want to see what some of the ultimate 223 (actually a 262) stuff is check out the XO/PP Bonneville project for his Land speed truck. John did run a 262 and I think is changing to GMC but it may give you some ideas if you look through his thread. He may also be a good contact for the parts you are looking for. Nice guy too. Also you may reach out to Ted Eaton who may have some leads on 223 stuff even though he is known for y-block work is also familier with the 262 six. Excellent engine guy. at www.eatonbalancing.com
It’s not exactly the same but the first thing I did to the 261 Chevy (ton truck) 6 was dual exhaust, in my 53 Chevy car, 3.70 rear gear This was by far the best performance improvement I made before the complete rebuild. Even it stock form I had no trouble running 60-65 mph on the interstate, even 70 plus was no issue however this was a rarity, as I don’t like diving over the speed limit.
Just my two cents, and I have my own peculiarities thrown in, I'd like to see what a pair of side draft Stromberg 1.75 CD carbs looked like on it... with split exhaust, too
Try www.fordsix.com. Or, dreams could be made right here: https://cliffordperformance.net/store/ols/categories/ford-223
The Fisher Auto Parts store I managed had an F150 2wd with a 300 in it... GAWD it had torque... and a granny gear first... you could get out and walk beside it at an idle, but you couldn't get it stuck. or keep the gas tank full.
I'm open to that, just have to find the parts. Carbs could be sourced, headers could be made/found, the intake seems to be the rare bird.
That is an option. On the front end that seems pretty spendy, but by the time I source all the parts I may not be far from that!
Yep; I think the intake would have to be fabricated as well, but that, at least, could be aluminum tubing and flanges. my imagination is better than my handiwork....
I would say it would be fairly easy. The 61-64 Fords have a different ch***is than the 65 and 66. Your transmission options greatly increase with the 300. It shares a bell housing with the 302/351 small blocks. Should be as simple as fabricating mounts and possibly cutting the drive shaft.
BITD.......while in high school I had a bud who brazed an extra flange on the old log exhaust and 'made' a dual exhaust! Since you have the torch out....do the same thing to the intake. It ain't 'rocket-surgery'... give it more air/fuel and remove more exhaust. It isn't split tube headers and a Clifford triple one barrel intake but....... it's wayyy cheaper and it IS....hot rodding at it's finest and most basic. Have the camshaft re-ground (Delta Cams...Tacoma) and make it lope-like-a-Harley !!!! All for on the cheap. Guaranteed to put a smile on ya face....... 6sally6
One of the best changes is a 300 distributor and get rid of the LoadOMatic https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1628042-300-to-223-distributor-conversion.html
I see dual intakes for them at swap meets occasionally. Fenton made a one piece dual outlet cast iron header for them, but good luck finding one, and if you do, paying for it.
I had one in my old '60 F100, it ran great until part of the crankshaft yearned to be free and decided to leave the block somewhere on 101 south near SF international airport. I was told that the cranks like to fail after the casting crystalizes over time. I cannot tell you if that statement is true. Just make sure the crank is up to handling extra power, my engine was a stocker.
I also had a 223 in '60 F-100. Just my two cents, but the T-5 swap and a rear end gear change is money well spent. It's already been said, but the distributor upgrade is also worthwhile. Good luck..
In the spirit of paying it forward here on GJ, I've got a rebuilt oil pump you can have for paying the shipping. jack vines
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