Where to get a used Ford straight-six motor? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Honus · #1 01-10-2008, 11:05 PM

I need a used motor to put in my 1968 Ford F250 beater. This is the only 3/4-ton truck I've seen with a straight-six motor and a three-speed on the column. It's a sweet truck, but the motor is shot. I would like to rebuild it myself, because that's a fun project, but it will be a long time before that project will make it to the top of the list. Meanwhile, I was thinking I would get a used motor. Ford put this motor in all kinds of vehicles - trucks, Mustangs, Mavericks, etc., etc., - so I suspect that there are plenty of them out there.

Can anyone suggest a good yunkyard or website? It would be nice we could stay within 150 miles of Leesburg, Virginia.

Jim B. · #2 01-11-2008, 02:39 AM

Try some of the model specific forums?

ie, Ford Falcon

http://www.falconregistry.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=id_i6;action=display;num=1179675687

or Maverick, inline-six, Mustang, vintage F150, etc.

rickg · #3 01-11-2008, 05:09 AM

Alot of those came with the 300 CID six, which was used right up until a few years ago. Should bolt right up to a 250(I think that was the earlier displacement) bellhousing, if that's what yours has. Has the one piece head casting, with the intake manifold part of the head, right? That 300 was a stump puller, but not real great on gas with a carb. I think the last ones had F.I.
Poke around this forum:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php
Especially here:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum52/
I used it alot when I was intending on restoring my dad's '67.

rs899 · #4 01-11-2008, 06:44 AM

Rickg-

No -the 300 six and the 240 six did not have the intake manifold cast with the head- that was on the smaller sixes.

I can't really say where to get an engine ( I have parts of one). That's what I have on my 67 F-100. I rebuilt the one I had and it was quite easy and cheap - parts (including pistons) can be had for maybe $200+ now (try Northern Auto Parts).

You can easily find them in junkyards, but most of the ones I see have been beat to death. The engine was in production from 1965 to 1996! You can find them on trucks, Econoline vans and some of the older full-size cars- there are plenty of them out there. Its a heckuva piece, I would say in the same class as an OM616/617 for durability.

In addition to the Ford-trucks website noted above, two others you could place a "wanted" ad could be:

www.fordsix.com

and

www.fordification.com

the latter EXCELLENT site covers only "bumpsides" 67-72 F-100 pickups like we have.

...and if you do go junkyard hunting, keep an eye out for a non-rusty hood and a long bed for me....

Rick

MS Fowler · #5 01-11-2008, 06:57 AM

We are getting confused.
Ford made two very different sixes.
The falcon SIX started at 144 cid, then 170 and finally 200 cid. That engine was redesigned ( 1965) to have 7 main bearings, later enlarged to 250 cid for Granada service. This is the engine with the intake manifold cast integrally with the head. A few Hod Rod tuners built protype Hi Performance versions with multiple carbs, and hotter cams, but the debut of the light weight cast iron small block V8 doomed the hi performance market for these engines.
You can find this in Falcons, Mustangs, Maverick, Granada, and all Mercury cousins

The FORD SIX came out in the early 1960s also, but at 240 cid. this engine has seperate head and manifolds. Later enlarged to 300 cid. Used in Big Ford Cars, and light trucks ( F100/ 150, Bronco, E100/150 etc) until very recently. Also used to power countless industrial applications from stand by generators ( gas or propane fueled), to drill rigs etc.

As for junkyards.... These engines are plentiful. It should be easy to find a good one close to home. Do a search under " auto parts used " in either your local yellow pages ( what is a phone book?) or on the web.
Here is a link to a series of recylcing U-Pull It yards in the Baltimore area. Their price on an engine is $75 + $15 core. This price list may be out of date, but I bet its still under $100.
http://www.crazyraysautoparts.com/price.htm

Here is a link to a FORD SIX forum. They have seperate threads on the small Falcon Six and the BIG Ford Six:
http://fordsix.com/forum/

Enjoy!

E150GT · #6 01-11-2008, 08:24 AM

They are a dime a dozen. Any junkyard should have an econoline or a F150 with one in it. My van has one and so does my Dad's F-150. how many miles are on yours? With regular oil changes, the motors are indestructible. Mine has 225k and can still go 10k on a synthetic oil and be only about 1 qt low.

Honus · #7 01-11-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E150GT

...how many miles are on yours?...

I don't know. I think this truck has lead a rough life, maintenance-wise.

Honus · #8 01-11-2008, 10:04 AM

Thanks to everyone who responded. This is great stuff.

That Crazy Ray's link that MS Fowler posted is unbelievable. I didn't know they still had places like that. The problem with Crazy Rays would be figuring out whether their motor was any better than the one I already have.

rs899, I will definitely let you know if I see a nice hood or long bed.

rs899 · #9 01-11-2008, 11:27 AM

dculkin-

I was just kiddin' about the bed and hood. You are way too far away. I don't even want to go 100 miles to get them, but I probably will.

As you say, trying to find a good known used engine is a real problem. Just don't be afraid of rebuilding one. This is about as simple as it gets- and fairly tolerant as to tolerances. Nothing at all like what I would expect an OM 617 to be like..

We have lots of places like Crazy Ray's around here for about the same or better prices. Check and see if they have a 30 day guarantee of the engine- then you are just out a lot of work if it's crap.

Rick

pastmaster · #10 01-11-2008, 11:52 AM

Just for the heck of it, I'd try the chains, Autozone, Pep Boys, Jasper engine, Ford dealer, etc. for a remanufactured one. Cost may be better than you think and you have a new engine and guarantee! The recyclers, can put it on their network and have one shipped to them overnight. There are millions and millions of the 300 cid I-6. You just have to look and wait to find the right one. Do have a high school nearby? Talk to the shop teacher of the auto shop, and see if he'll let the class rebuild it for you? It's been done. Good Luck!

PaulC · #11 01-11-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dculkin

The problem with Crazy Rays would be figuring out whether their motor was any better than the one I already have.

Right. Particularly since the last engine was used in 1996 model vehicles. Also note that the later 300 I-6's had fuel injection, so some homework must be done to determine the feasibility of adapting the 1968 carburetor and intake manifold to the newer engine. Best case scenario is if the FI heads share the same intake port shapes and manifold mounting stud configuration. In the event worst case rears it's ugly head and it's impossible to adapt the carburetor intake manifold to the FI engine, hang onto the older engine in the event a cylinder head swap may be in order. Does the 1968 use a mechanical fuel pump mounted to the engine? Another potential issue to be addressed if the FI engines use an electric pump mounted away from the engine. Ignition system differences have the potential to be another issue.

It would be worth your while to visit some of the Ford truck websites such as www.ford-trucks.com and make a few inquiries regarding this swap.

This would also be a good time to renew the engine and transmission mounts.

jlomon · #12 01-11-2008, 12:18 PM

Have a look here:

http://www.car-part.com

There have got to be a few hundred of the 300ci engines here, but it wont let me provide the link to the search results. You'll have to go through the whole search.

rickg · #13 01-11-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

Rickg-

No -the 300 six and the 240 six did not have the intake manifold cast with the head- that was on the smaller sixes.

Oh, ok. Been years since I messed with these engines.

Had a friend with about a '70 that had the 300 in it, and I could have swore it was the integral head. I know my old '64 Falcon had it with a 177 engine.

rs899 · #14 01-11-2008, 01:31 PM

dculkin-

If you spend some time on the Ford forums you will find endless opportunities to mix and match parts with these engines. The bottom ends are the same. You can use the FI head. It is advisable to use the FI exhaust manifolds etc. You can even get wild and use small block Chevy rocker arms to increase performance. But sounds to me like you just want to keep it simple with your beater F-250.

Rick