Best Ford Engine to Build

Just playing around some. Retired and bored. Really which engine is the best to build? I'm talking one that will drop into the Maverick or Comet without shaving shock towers.

 

Sticking with Ford drop in, aren't many choices. Defiantly don't want 221 or 260 as are all 5 bolt so won't fit without bell housing change (if you can find one). Some of those have narrower motor mount bolt spacing. Not a 255 just because who wants to lose almost 50cu in? Leaves 289 that pre '65 have 5 bolt bell housings, or any 302/5.0. If you have plenty of grease and shoe spoons the 351 does fit.

If you are in search of power the $$$$$ BOSS 302 is cool.

Still, it's more logical to build a stroker, 331 0r 347 using the late roller cam 302 block. Even a 302 with aluminum heads, intake etc will kick a stock 302 into the next county.

 

https://www.badasscars.com/index.cfm?ptype=product&product_id=104&category_id=13&home_id=3&mode=prod
David

 

if you are really ; "playing around some. Retired and bored."
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... then consider a Maverick/Comet native Ford engine that will provide unending relief from boredom both in it's building, and reactions by competent engine builders - the Ford Small Block Six.
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Yawning past the repetitive lines of LS and off shelf 'Crate' SBF powerhouses, curiosity of six builds' technical aspects keeps the car cruises and shows discussions with experienced builders' animated and never boring.
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Have fun, and never, ever be bored or boring ...
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I've decided. It's going to be a 408. Perhaps hard to change the plugs but I bet I can pull it off.

Thanks for the responses.

 

I think you will be very happy going with the 408, like link I posted, if you are going to start from scratch, this is the way to go! Another member who lives up in my neck of the woods, has a 351W and there are a few other members too! You can use the stock exhaust manifold or have a custom set of headers made up........even with stock cast iron exhaust manifolds, while restrictive, with the amount of power that 408 will put out, I doubt you would notice!
Keep us posted on how your build will go, will you be using stock block or aftermarket???
David

 

David, thanks for your post. I've done some research. I have 351w to work with a 1973 Comet. The Comet is already set up for V-8. It did have a 302 in it.

The 351 I have appears to be a 1972. At least that what the heads say.

It is known that the 1969 351w heads has larger valves so doing this build I will have to upgrade to the aftermarket heads.

Yes, I do have a set of 1969 351w heads if anyone needs them.

At this point still in studies with this build. I want it right.

Also at my age this will probably be the last engine I build.

 

I will not be using headers. Be just the cast manifolds. This doesn't mean I will not upgrade to headers later.

 

Oh I remember the good old days, a quick performance upgrade was to put on 69 351W heads onto 289......nowadays, with technology of new aluminum heads, why would one do anything on CI heads, right out of the box all these new aluminum heads better than anything you could do on old CI.....plus the weight savings etc.!
Even the CI exhaust manifolds can be ported out, but with that 408 lack of power will never be an issue, even with restrictive CI manifolds.......enjoy your build and keep us posted!
David

 

Might as well cut back the spring towers while the engine is out. That's one thing I wish I had done.
And yeah, stay away from inline six cylinders. This is the 21st century...

 

'69-'71 351 heads are same, in '72 combustion chambers were increased to decrease compression.

 

I trimmed my shock towers a bit when I did the 351w swap, plug changes are no problem. headers are a whole other issue though wound up making mine.

 

Sorry, this is way off topic as it doesn't concern a Ford engine. Have you seen the Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram inline 6 that will replace the Hemi?
https://www.autoweek.com/news/a39525460/stellantis-hurricane-engine-details/
Ok, back on topic.

 

This is something I have been debating. Thinking about going ahead and investing in a torch. I already have the cutting wheel setup. Yeah, probably just need to go ahead and start the cutting the shock towers.

 

I was referring to the Ford 250 from the 1970s. And I seriously doubt anyone will be installing one of those Stellantis engines in a '70-'77 Maverick...