Chevy 350 in a Ranger...
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From: unknown
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.
Last edited by knightmare1015; Dec 7, 2009 at 01:33 AM.
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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.
Last edited by knightmare1015; Dec 7, 2009 at 01:53 AM.
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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
Last edited by knightmare1015; Dec 7, 2009 at 01:58 AM.
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From: unknown
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You're talking about putting a big block engine into a tiny truck. Firewall modification would have to be done, and I'm sure the hood would be tough to close.
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?
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?
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Well I like to thank everyone for their feedback, I was hoping that most of it would be positive and philosophic about it and offer some tips and part links, but only a couple of you did. But it's still all good though. Any info is better than none.
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.
If i had an older ranger an ls1 swap would be the first thing i'd do.
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From: Binghamton, NY
I think this is a great idea. The chevy 350 is a time proven power house. It's a great engine, its parts are cheap, and it is easy to build up and rebuilt. I think this would be a good project for someone, i'm sure they sell adapters and what not for it to bolt to the other ford stuff. I
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I think this is a great idea. The chevy 350 is a time proven power house. It's a great engine, its parts are cheap, and it is easy to build up and rebuilt. I think this would be a good project for someone, i'm sure they sell adapters and what not for it to bolt to the other ford stuff. I
Well that's your opinion and your preferance sure. I really don't have any problem with the big 3 in general, just certain areas. GM parts base is way too large for me to ignore and the price tag on those parts, 9 out of 10 times they'll be alot cheaper than the others. The 350 SBC has been around for decades, and is one of GM's most popular crate motors known to man. GM said it was either the gen. 1 350 SBC, Gen 1 and 2 LS1 and LS2, and now that they brought it out of retirement The 572 BBC. I've heard 2 versions of it and nasty doesn't do it justice.
Last edited by knightmare1015; Dec 7, 2009 at 05:36 PM.
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From: college station tx.
man alot o of bad talk about doing the swap but have you ever done one? I have been starting on mine and its not hard just time to not alot of fab work needed I'll have pics as I go so others can see how hard it is as a I build mine it's a 97 ranger 2wd to 4wd all chevy parts well be on mine
if i was going to do a V8 swap,, i would go with the chrysler 318 engine
before we took the engine out of an old chrysler imperial
holy crap ( single barrel carb ) that accelerated like stink on 87 octane
plus you will want a front engine mounted distributor .
firewall mods are a serious pain-in-the-*** ,, especially if you have no prior experiance doing it.
oh! the former owner of that engine got 1,000 kilometers out of a tank of gas
before we took the engine out of an old chrysler imperial
holy crap ( single barrel carb ) that accelerated like stink on 87 octane
plus you will want a front engine mounted distributor .
firewall mods are a serious pain-in-the-*** ,, especially if you have no prior experiance doing it.
oh! the former owner of that engine got 1,000 kilometers out of a tank of gas
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From: Queen Creek, AZ
WOW you sir are an innovator putting a S hitrolet into something other then a S hitrolet. You just might be on to something there and I am sure that no one ever thought of doing this swap.
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That's an old version that was pretty kool.
Thanks. I consider that a compliment. Not too many people think of things like I do. I look at all possibilities.
Well that's your opinion. But you only see one angle like most. The main reason I'm looking at this engine is because they're simple to work on, have easy access to unknown amounts of parts and above all else they're cheap.
That's why people just do things without planning ahead. I like to plan way ahead and consider all options before getting started.
I have done several S10 V8 conversions. In fact I just got through helping a guy do a 1993 4 banger conversion. He purchased a complete kit from summit racing and it was a near bolt in. We got it done in about 15 hours and he spent roughly around $2,000 bucks which included the engine. The only thing that we really had to wait on was the machine shop. and we had to weld in new motor mounts. This guy kept his 2WD though. yours will take alot longer due to the fact that you're converting yours to 4WD.
man alot o of bad talk about doing the swap but have you ever done one? I have been starting on mine and its not hard just time to not alot of fab work needed I'll have pics as I go so others can see how hard it is as a I build mine it's a 97 ranger 2wd to 4wd all chevy parts well be on mine
Last edited by knightmare1015; Jan 22, 2010 at 03:32 AM.
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From: Coral springs florida
There's also a guy around here with a 72 or so C10 sporting a 572. His girlfriend bought him one for his birthday...$13,000 price tag for just the engine!
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From: Mount Vernon, WA
About 12 years ago I put a built-up 2.8L Capri V-6 motor in a '75 Chevy Luv P/U and on the tailgate below the CHEVROLET I put the letters "Power by FORD" (a blue oval sticker). It really pissed off my Chevy friends & got me a lot of taunting but it hauled butt. It was a perfect match in that truck of power-vs-mileage till one of my employees crashed & totalled it. To everyone their own. . .
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www.nelsonracingengines.com they have a few videos that might interest you. That is also the cheapest big block you can get too. Ford wants damn near that price just for the block. The last crate engine I looked at for ford concerning the big blocks was about $18,000 bucks for the 460 F.E. Big block.
About 12 years ago I put a built-up 2.8L Capri V-6 motor in a '75 Chevy Luv P/U and on the tailgate below the CHEVROLET I put the letters "Power by FORD" (a blue oval sticker). It really pissed off my Chevy friends & got me a lot of taunting but it hauled butt. It was a perfect match in that truck of power-vs-mileage till one of my employees crashed & totalled it. To everyone their own. . .
Last edited by knightmare1015; Jan 25, 2010 at 12:08 AM.
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Can't wait to see it. As of right now I'm playing the waiting game because that salvage yard I went to just wants to jerk me around. I'm waiting for my tax refund so I can begin. The local salvage yard I went to keeps lowering the price of the 5.0 and they cut me off in mid sentence now when I mention that 1983 Econoline van that has a 351 Windsor under the hood alond with a tranny. The 5.0 has indeed been done to death. I just want to have something a little different that aint been done too much.
Nelson Racing Engines - "We Build Horsepower!" Twin Turbo LSX they have a few videos that might interest you. That is also the cheapest big block you can get too. Ford wants damn near that price just for the block. The last crate engine I looked at for ford concerning the big blocks was about $18,000 bucks for the 460 F.E. Big block.
Pal to each is own. You only see one angle it seems to me. How many 350 SBC's did GM make? How come the parts list for that motor is about 2 million miles long? how come the parts are truly affordable and don't hurt the working man's wallet or bank accounts? and also explain why they're super easy to find and super cheap engines and are simple to work on. I suggest that you look at the overall big picture and start visiting websites and searching on the net before you go off again because someone telling me what I should put in my truck annoys the hell out of me.
