Chevy 350 in a Ranger...
#1
Chevy 350 in a Ranger...
I know it's possible and everything but what I'm wondering is how much heat I'd get if I did this? the reason I'm looking at this motor is because they're easy to find and there's alot parts support for them. And above all else if something does go wrong it aint hard to work on either because they're simple to work on. Plus it's different. The 5.0/4.6/5.4 engine swaps have been done to death and it would be nice to have something different.
Last edited by knightmare1015; 12-05-2009 at 11:42 PM.
#2
#4
#5
#6
Well that may be so, but it seems that those are the only motors talked about in here. You hardly ever hear about the 351 engines. I just want to do something a little different on a shoestring budget is all. Thanks man.
Last edited by knightmare1015; 12-06-2009 at 01:16 AM.
#7
I plan on going to a salvage yard amd post pics for you guys soon as I begin. I've already decided a V8 will be installed yes. The problem is which one. I've found several small blocks, and a couple of big blocks. The big block seems it would be too much for a daily driver, but then again I've seen some evil demonic small blocks too. I'll post pics for guys when I go to the salvage yard.
#8
a 302 is really just about as inexpensive to build as a 350 if cost is really that much of an issue. Itll bolt in easier than a 350 will too to be realistic about it. Cost of the engine is one thing, cost of getting the car to drive with it in there is a whole other thing though.
If i gave you a chrysler hemi for free, i bet that cost savings would disappear mighty quick before it was actually in the truck and drivable.
If i gave you a chrysler hemi for free, i bet that cost savings would disappear mighty quick before it was actually in the truck and drivable.
#9
a 302 is really just about as inexpensive to build as a 350 if cost is really that much of an issue. Itll bolt in easier than a 350 will too to be realistic about it. Cost of the engine is one thing, cost of getting the car to drive with it in there is a whole other thing though.
If i gave you a chrysler hemi for free, i bet that cost savings would disappear mighty quick before it was actually in the truck and drivable.
If i gave you a chrysler hemi for free, i bet that cost savings would disappear mighty quick before it was actually in the truck and drivable.
#10
ROFL......4.6/5.4 have been done to death!?!?!?? ROFL!! You have much to learn. There's only a handful of mod motors in rangers...Beard and Ford are the only ones I'm aware of that've dropped in 5.4's in a Ranger.
WTF you talking "how much heat you'd get"??? You mean how much flack you'd be getting from us or others? Generally, we really don't give a damn what engine you put in it and most people wouldn't give a damn either. Only the purists would care. If i ever drop in an 8, I'd want it to be a GM gen3 8cyl. Like an LS1 or LS2...I'd loooove to have a carb'd 6.0 undre my hood of either of mytrucks. Or do you literally mean how much heat aka temperature you'd have under the hood?!?? lol.
WTF you talking "how much heat you'd get"??? You mean how much flack you'd be getting from us or others? Generally, we really don't give a damn what engine you put in it and most people wouldn't give a damn either. Only the purists would care. If i ever drop in an 8, I'd want it to be a GM gen3 8cyl. Like an LS1 or LS2...I'd loooove to have a carb'd 6.0 undre my hood of either of mytrucks. Or do you literally mean how much heat aka temperature you'd have under the hood?!?? lol.
#11
HEAT? Who gives a crap?
No V8 is a drop-in since a V8 Ranger was never produced. Your gonna have to do some fabricatin & modifyin.
I'm workin on #2 for me, RAT Ranger in my sig, you'll see the build, and I'm also in the process of doin #2 for my Son.
You can PM me or email me with any questions you may have that aren't answered anywhere.
No V8 is a drop-in since a V8 Ranger was never produced. Your gonna have to do some fabricatin & modifyin.
I'm workin on #2 for me, RAT Ranger in my sig, you'll see the build, and I'm also in the process of doin #2 for my Son.
You can PM me or email me with any questions you may have that aren't answered anywhere.
Last edited by 94Ranger355; 12-06-2009 at 07:42 AM. Reason: ===
#14
Everyone always swaps in a 350 into something. I think a 350 is the motor that is over done the most. Do something different please. The only reason there is so much aftermarket support is becasue that motor needs it to have any kind of power.
Put a 429 or 460 in it
If I would ever swap mine to V8, it would probably be a carbed 302. I'm one of those people that like to keep Ford motors in Fords and chevy motors in chevys. Doesnt matter though, its your truck. Do whatever the hell you want. Its whatever makes you happy, not anyone else.
Put a 429 or 460 in it
If I would ever swap mine to V8, it would probably be a carbed 302. I'm one of those people that like to keep Ford motors in Fords and chevy motors in chevys. Doesnt matter though, its your truck. Do whatever the hell you want. Its whatever makes you happy, not anyone else.
#15
What 350 are we talking about here anyway? Gen1 sbc? Gen2 sbc? Gen3 sbc? I just don't see a Gen1/2 being very economical at all period, even if you putt putting around town like a grandma. I say this mostly because this vehicle isn't your toy(like Tim C), it's your one and only vehicle.
Me personally, if I were to build a Gen1 sbc, I'd be doing a hot but streetable 302/327 for the high revv's where that power would be. Or a 383. Already done a 406.
That's just unfactual PERIOD. The reason there's such a big aftermarket for it, is because they ran from 1955 to 1998. I'm not talking about just 350's, I'm talking the sbc mouse motor since gen1/2 are basically the same and all vary in displacement. It's the most successful engine out there and was put in millions and millions of vehicles straight off the assembly line. 350 just happens to be the longest running displacement of sbc's and the most common.
ROFL! *no comment*
Me personally, if I were to build a Gen1 sbc, I'd be doing a hot but streetable 302/327 for the high revv's where that power would be. Or a 383. Already done a 406.
Put a 429 or 460 in it
#16
#17
My question is how does tools and workspace have anything to do in the bowtie, blue oval choice you are trying to make. Both will take up the same amount of work space and both will use the very same tools. If you bother to do your research you will find that the Ford 351W is the same engine as the 302. The only difference is that the heads on the 351W are a bit wider than the 302. But they still use the same intake.This being said, putting the 351 into a Ranger is no problem. Will fit just like a 302. As for your choice of Chevy over Ford. You will learn that a Ford Windsor block is far and away better that the Chevy small block. They are much stronger and far more reliable. Chevy had to build their blocks with 4 bolt mains to get them to do the same as a Ford Windsor block with 2 bolt mains. Think about it.I have had several Fords that went several hundred thousand miles with the windsor block and I have had several 350's that went just as far, so I have been on both sides. Your choice will be your personal taste. The one thing you have failed to mention is the transmission. They never put a TH350 into a Ranger. The put the C-4 into just about everything Ford made. Just a thought. Have fun.
#18
And I'm sorry, but just because your grandpa had one of the 900,000,000,000,000,000 of the 350 Chevy small blocks out there that sucked doesn't mean that every one of them needs all that aftermarket support to throw down some power. The Fords 302 also has a lot of aftermarket support. Does that mean that it sucks?
#19
No $hit. Ya think? I didnt say that it was going to be the easiest swap ever. I am not a moron. I just meant that it would be awesome if someone did.
#20
And about the 429/460 swap....long story. I like the swap idea.
#24
You must be comparing probably a mid 80's 350 to a 97+ Truck. All motors Ford chev dodge were weak back then, emissions equipment caught the big three off guard (they thought it wouldn't happen) and it took them 20 years to get back to the horsepower people desire.
That being said, If you are going through the trouble, a Gen 1 350, you might as well get an explorer with a 5.0 and swap in the 5.0. They need to be carbed and cammed to the point that it is undrivable to be a contender (at least in what I think a V8 should be) same with the 5.0, stock they are weak and built they are impractical, there are better motors if you are spending the money. that being said. Go get a complete LQ4 (gen III small block) out of a Chevy truck (can be bought complete out of scrapyards for as little as $400) swap an LS6 manifold on to it For two reasons, 1 hood clearance and two it flows better. Go to Speed and performance and get their universal motor mount kit for the LS engine, Then there are plenty of companies that will make you a complete harness to mate that engine with your vehicle. For recommendations go to LS1tech.com. And when you are done without even opening up the engine, you will have around 400 WHP with a streetable motor, that in the ranger will probably get 25-30+ MPG. This would be the opportune time to go with a T-56 swap if you are 2WD. Oddly enough T-56's for LS based engines are cheaper than the T-56 for the LT1. Two reasons, They are still being made, and the LT1 T-56 bolts up to any 1st or second gen small block so street rodders are buying them up.
~HJ
That being said, If you are going through the trouble, a Gen 1 350, you might as well get an explorer with a 5.0 and swap in the 5.0. They need to be carbed and cammed to the point that it is undrivable to be a contender (at least in what I think a V8 should be) same with the 5.0, stock they are weak and built they are impractical, there are better motors if you are spending the money. that being said. Go get a complete LQ4 (gen III small block) out of a Chevy truck (can be bought complete out of scrapyards for as little as $400) swap an LS6 manifold on to it For two reasons, 1 hood clearance and two it flows better. Go to Speed and performance and get their universal motor mount kit for the LS engine, Then there are plenty of companies that will make you a complete harness to mate that engine with your vehicle. For recommendations go to LS1tech.com. And when you are done without even opening up the engine, you will have around 400 WHP with a streetable motor, that in the ranger will probably get 25-30+ MPG. This would be the opportune time to go with a T-56 swap if you are 2WD. Oddly enough T-56's for LS based engines are cheaper than the T-56 for the LT1. Two reasons, They are still being made, and the LT1 T-56 bolts up to any 1st or second gen small block so street rodders are buying them up.
~HJ