I have been given an early Ford 170 6 cylinder with 3 speed manual for my RPU project. Is there a top shift that places the gear shifter on top of the box? fficeffice" /><O></O> I have put up a pic with a 6 with 3 carbs, I was wondering if the American engines have a separate (bolt on) intake manifold? The Australian ones have the intake cast as part of the head (one casting intake + head). Would it be possible to weld 2 more flanges on to the cast intake and mill out the centre of the flange into the manifold? .. .<O></O>
Sorry Mate, Ford cast the intakes on the head, Offy makes a 3 Ace Plate and you machine the "intake" down and install this bird on top and BAM, you have 3 1 barrel carbs, but you exaust is also on the same side, not like that nice cross flow heads you guy have...as for the shifter, never seen one like that.....Cheers...John Howard...(no not him.....)
As far as the head goes. See if you can get a 2 v head and you can make up a man to suit or you can make a log type man to suit the single carb position. I have seen this done and it worked ok but only had 2 carbs. As with the gear box use a late 70's early 80's 3 or 4 speed from the panel vans or utes some of them came with floor shift. I also think that Speco made a floor shift adapter for them. But to tell you the truth a 200, 221 or 250 pre cross flow with a 4 speed single rail isn't that dear, about $250-$400 and is a much better start. The dear part is the 2v head if you want one. they start around $600 and can go for well over $1000. but with that said I have also seen one of the 250 2v engines make nearly 350hp with a single 4 barrel holly. They are a good smooth tough engine and are pretty hard to kill. Good luck.
yeah, they also sell a book on how to hop up the 144-170-200. Funny, one of the most common suggestions for the 170 is to get a Australian head!
The second most common reply is to replace it with a 200 cu in motor that has 7 main bearing opposed to 5 mains on your 170. There's a shitload more go fast goodies for the 200 than any other Ford inline, like timing chains, cams and heads http://www.classicinlines.com
There is three two's adapter made to bolt on the intake manifold. I'm sure its mostly for looks. The 170 is a good, economical engine. There is an awesome head that has been developed for these. its just now hitting the market. Check it out here: http://www.classicinlines.com/AlumOverview.asp These engines get a bad rap case of the few main bearings. Its not really a bad problem cause there is so little rotating weight.
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