Hello, I'm new to this site, but i have loved the looks of the Ford Econoline Trucks for 40 years. I have now purchased one of these classics and I'm looking for some information and help for swapping out the motoe from the 144ci to a SBF 289 or 302 ci. I have all the major parts needed to make the conversion, I have a SBF and a C4 all ready to go, and I also have an 8.8 rear end, that I need to have narrowed, cause I'm going to run some large tires in the rear, 295/50R15, B F Goodrich Radial T/A's on a set of Prime offset 10" wide wheels. The front will be the standard 7" wide, with a set of 195/50R15, B F Goodrich Radial T/A's. My first question (I'm sure I'll have a few more as the build go on) is there any aftermarket motor mounts and saddles for sale anywhere? I know the motor swap has been done many time before, and I been looking for some "HELP" articles in old magazines and on the internet, but have not found what I'm looking for. I want to keep the old doghouse, i saw you have to cut the sides out of the headers to curve downwards, and I don't have a problem with that, as long as the seat mounts are still in the same location. Right now it has the "LITTLE" 144 ci, and a three speed on the tree, the transmission mount is on the top side of the tail piece, and it looks like someone has manafuctured a plate steel box around the tail of the transmission, I don't know think this was a stock set-up? (If i can figure out how to post pictures on this site, I'll post some of the transmission mount, might be good for a few laughs, also post some of my truck). The C4, I have waiting patiently, mounts on the bottom right before the tail; I don't think this will take a lot of fab work, to make a mount for that, As far as the shifting of the auto, I would like to use the floor shifter out of an older Mustang, and mount it in front, and to the laft of the doghouse, I have seen some pictures of others done like that and it looks very clean. The seats I'm going to use in my truck came out of my 66 Mustang with black pony interiro, so they have the horses running across the seat back; I think this will be a good look..... Thanks for your time in reading this, and if you have any helpful ideas or know any vendors that supply Econoline Truck motor swap parst, please HELP!!!!! JimmyHo.
Sign up at this site and ask for Vic he fabs parts for the conversion. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Econosrus/ Jim
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