OK Comet guys, I need your advice... I've got a '62 with the 170ci motor and 2 speed auto, but a 200ci motor from a '65 Ranchero has turned up cheap(ish)on UK E-Gay. The 170 is running OK, but hasn't got the power to 'pull a Sailor of your Grandma', so is the 200 any better, and if so will it slot straight in? Thanks.
try tffn.net and as a long time owner of a few falcons and rancheros i hear YES go with the 200c.i. motor. my old rebuilt 170 was plenty tough with the stock trans and was actually quite fast and *****y, so its kind of your call????
The 200 is externally identical to the 170 except for being a bit taller in the deck. So it should bolt right in, and you can swap any pulleys/waterpump/linkages/etc off your 170 that you need to get things to line up. I put a 200 in my '62 comet with no real h***le.
That's exactly what I'm doing right now. I actually struggled with the decision for almost three years because I liked the idea of keeping the original 223 in my '57 Custom. You don't see a lot of these old motors anymore and I think it's kind of cool to have someting outside hte norm. However, it was really only the idea of keeping it htat I liked. Especially in my big Custom, it's just a dog on the highway, parts are extremely expensive and they hard to come by in the event of a roadside breakdown. The Roundup this year did it for me. Topping out at 65 or so mph is really frustrating on the big Texas freeways. I started pricing out the cost to hot rod the 223 a little bit with an Offy intake, exhaust, etc and everything was double what it is on a V8. I picked up a 302HO from a buddy and started building it a few weeks ago. I also found an AOD that a local builder put together and I'm almost all set. Looks like a late May installation if all goes well (need a few more paychecks to finish the job!). Sorry if I highjacked the thread. I respect the folks who stick with the old 6's. If I had an old Ford truck to tool around town in and pick up parts, I would keep a 6 in it no problem, but for day to day driving, it's hard to beat the extra cylinders! Plus, if you break down, chances are the local auto parts store will have what you need to get back on the road quickly.
the 200 is a good engine........has a lot more potential than the 170......and the bottom end is bullet proof........with 7 main bearing caps.........just restricted by stock head but depending on how much power you want you can get good power out of the 170 but the same tricks would net you more out of the 200......let your tastes and your wallet be your guide.......try out....... www.fordsix.com
My 60 Comet has a 200 in it. It has to be way better than the 144 in mine. I imagine it'll be better than the 170, but by how much. We put a cheap 302 out of an 80's Lincoln in my buddies 61. The engine goes in pretty easy you just need to use the parts off a V8 mustang or falcon. Only problem is if you go to a V8 you really need to change things with your suspension and that ****ty rear end probably will need to go. All the little **** can add up fast.
Thanks for your thoughts Guys, if that 200 stays cheap I might just give it a go, at least I can still run the 170 'til I've checked it over.
I'm putting the 200 from my 61 comet parts car into my 63 this weekend. Can't wait to get it in and running.. one step closer to the road!
A friend put in a 200 in his 63 Falcon years ago, I recall it had a dual bellhousing bolt pattern, and the two speed trans needed the smaller pattern. Later 200 engines don't have the small bolt pattern, so beware. Later he put in a C4 transmission which really improved the acceleration and pleasure of driving the car. We also replaced a 170 in his 1963 Comet with a 260 V8. Boy what a vast improvement. That was also attached to a C4 (he was fond of those and rebuilt a lot of them). For the V8 swap, you need the V8 engine perches and the unique Comet/Falcon left side exhaust manifold which clears the steering box.
I have not checked what trans. is bolted up behind the 200... I just pulled the one out that was in the 63 still today.. What a mess... All done with the car on stands, a jack, a rope and a wheel dollie.... Transmission juices everywhere! Nothing some IGA kitty litter can't clean up Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
The Jalopy Journal
