Curious: Swap I6 for a V8?

[Cait Sith Cat]

I have a 1996 straight 6 F150, and I was wondering what would be involved in swapping the engine for a 302 (or even a 351?) Could I just drop a new engine in? Are the mounts the same? The cooling system?

[BMWJosh]

well i'd hate to be the bearer of bad news but i doubt the mounts are the same,hoses for the radiator prolly different,but the big prob. being its 96' the wiring harness is totally diif unless u have the V-8 wiring harness and comp. I wouldn't even bother.

[dhaywood77]

In my humble opinion the straight 6 is a great engine, every bit as good as the 302. If your gonna go for the swap go straight to the 351.

[wafrederick]

The computer is differant too,the I6 computer does not work with the v8.Ford does this: a 6 month change on their designs.My father's clean up guy has a 1991 with the I6 with close to 300,000 on it with no problems.

[Believer45]

The 300 cu in I-6 has one less horsepower and two less lb-ft of torque than a 302 V-8 but does this at half the RPM (it may be 2 hp and 1 ft-lb, I forget which - spec is from 1983 trucks as well, I had one and contemplated the same swap). Personally I agree with others here, I would keep the I-6 - in fact I did. If you want to build it you can get cams, headers, 4 barrel intake manifolds and any number of other goodies for it. I didn't do all that though.

Dave / Believer45

[1990]

No inline six will ever beat the 302. Fuel milage is better in the 302, torque kicks several chevy butts, and the 302 is bags more fun to work with. If you can, get a dome and carb kit, less milage but more fun.

[bucketabolts]

tthe I6 is a more reliable motor though.