My Gran'pa bought a 1973 Ford F100 4x4 in 1992. He drove it until 1994 when it would turn over, fire, but wouldn't hold enough compression to keep running. I rode in that truck when I was 4 or 5. I asked him if I could have the truck when I was old enough and he told me yes.

I drug the truck home about 2 years ago. I haven't had a chance to get anything done to it because of minimal income. I finally got a good job and I'm in the process of trying to get this truck somewhat back to factory specs.



Truck is original 4x4 w/o power steering, single cab, long bed. The 2 guys that had it before my Gran'pa got it put bull bars on the front and back and put bigger coil springs on it to jack it up.

This is what happens when I get tools and I am without a job... I start tearing stuff apart
https://www.ranger-forums.com/member...-cylinders.jpg


Basically I got in touch with this guy that has a JUNK YARD... not your average salvage yard. He has trees growing up through some cars, parts piled in cars, cars shoved together where you can't even walk... but this guy got the truck 1.5 years ago. I walked out there with a battery and can of gas...the keys were still in it so I turned the key and by god she fired right up... purred like a kitten!

I spent about 6 hours there, unbolting and moving and unplugging everything then getting the motor loaded into my truck. Here's the problem I have::



The vin number did NOT match the motor in this truck, they said it was a small block v8 and that's not what this is. Problem is I am missing the engine id tag off the motor. I've used FORDification.net - The '73-'79 Ford Pickup Resource to decipher most of the numbers I have found on the block. This is either a 360 or 390 Ford FE/FT motor. It has the bigger heads (the casting number is c8ae-h meaning 427). The intake starts with a d3te which is for a 360/390.

The other problem I have:

The truck I currently have has everything original except the motor. There is a 300 straight 6 in it. That is what went down and why I am replacing it. My vin code calls for a 360. But that's off my topic. The transmission is good, and so are the axles and transfer case. But the motor I just pulled had an automatic transmission.... and mine is the new process 435 which is the 3 speed with a granny low (in the floor). I don't know if the bell housing attached to the inline 6 will bolt up to my v-8 that I just bought. It looks like it will, but I'm not sure.
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First: I plan on pulling the oil pan and checking the crank for the number I need to find out exactly what this motor is. I really really really thought about finding an older model ranger that has no motor or trans, and putting this motor in. But then I decided that it's better for now for me to get my Gran'pas truck back running so I can drive it. He would be SOOOO PROUD of me trying to take on this on by myself.

I plan on pulling the old motor out hopefully this up-coming weekend... its been raining here and where my old truck is sitting I can't get her moved until it somewhat dries up. She's so heavy my ranger will just sit there and spin... but in 4x4 low she just buckles down and pulls

If anyone has any tips or anything, please let me know... I need all the help I can get.

All she needs right now is oil pan gasket and possibly an oil pan (if I can't beat it back out where the guy sat it on the ground so I could unbolt the trans it bent the bottom up about 5 inches), she needs valve cover gaskets and a distributor. I got the chain over the side of the distributor trying to lift her out of my truck and broke it... but crap happens right? LOL

I've never rebuilt a motor and don't really want to at this point. I wanted a motor to drop and drive, but she needs some minimal work before I put her in there.





Thanks for looking, I will keep updating with pics and whatnot....
If you have any tips, I appreciate it if you will post them !!!!

 

the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same

so you are good there

 

So the bell housing bolt pattern for a 360/390 is the same as the 300 inline 6?

If so you just made my freaking day!!!!!

 

So the bell housing bolt pattern for a 360/390 is the same as the 300 inline 6?

If so you just made my freaking day!!!!!

 

No, bellhousing is not the same and you will need to get a different one. Ford breaks down bellhousings based on engine series:

300/302/351w/351c
FE (360/390)
351m/400/429/460

check out Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Ford truck and SUV owners and enthusiasts Community And Information Source. for a lot of information on the old ford trucks and engines

Hope that helps

 

Thanks joe I appreciate all the help! I did find out last night that its a 390. I was hoping for a 360 but a 390 is good too.

I'm excited about getting it installed and whatnot. Now I just need to find a bell housing and get the flywheel and clutch kit and I should be good to go!

 

how do u know its a 390? they are identical from the outside.

as said the bell housing bolt pattern is different. u will also need motor mounts. check out olderfseries.net for more help.

 

that 390 with 428 heads is a bear, i had one in a 76 and you could not kill it or pass it. seen comeros eyes bug out when i passed at 110 and still going. wish i had kept it instead of helping out a friend in a tuff spot and giving him the truck. was going to come back to me but instead he traded it off!