Engine Choice For CCT's Project Trucks?

Custom Classic Trucks has three project trucks that we just started on. A '72 Ford, '86 Dodge, and a '75 Chevy.

The Chev has a 454, so that's staying, but I was wondering if any of you guys had any thoughts regarding our Ford or Dodge.

All three trucks are factory V8's so keeping the original 302 in the Ford or the 318 in the Dodge is not out of the question.

But on the other hand, it might be nice to have something with more beans... Any thoughts?

Thanks,

John  

John,

For the Ford have you considered an FE.  They were around for almost three decades and deserve a look.

Ron  

Hi Ron,

Yeah I've considered an FE. I ran a punched-out 352 in my '65 F-250 for  23-years. The thing that was interesting about that motor was it had all the machine work done by Evans in South El Monte, CA. It was torque-plate honed, decked, balanced, the works. In retrospect I would have dropped in a 428 or a 427. It was 1975 when I built the truck and 427s were pretty easy to come by. I was stuck on the idea of using the truck's original motor... Oh well.

Back to the '72, I'm positive the engine I pick will be a pushrod motor, and likely a big-incher with tall gears. The '72 will make it's debut in the January issue of CCT along with the other two.

Talk to you later,

John  

John,

I say you rebuild the dodge old school style. I think it would be great to see the 318 get freshened up, maybe even get a bore and stroke adjustment. For the Ford why not go a little more modern and make it a full roller with fuel injection. There are a lot of the FI mustangs showing up in the wrecking yards that you might be able to get some stuff for it, plus it will give you an excuse to hit up the junk yard with Bongo. Well that is just my 2 cents.

Calin  

Calin,

I spent the day getting the '72 F-100 and the '86 Dodge ready to make a baseline pull on the dyno. Oil change, coolant, etc.

I don't know if I told you, but I'm in a build-off against Grant Peterson at Classic Trucks with his '67 F-100. Both trucks will be on Americruise. The public will vote for thier favorite at each stop, it should be pretty fun. I don't know what first prise will be, maybe a cheeseburger and fries or something.

Back to the 318 — Yeah I think I'll see how much smog legal horsepower we can get out of it and then who knows what will be next? A Cummins, a 440? We'll see.

Funny you should mention Bongo, I took him with me to get gas in the Dodge, we just got back.

Take care bro,

John  

John,
can you get away with a Holley Pro-Jection setup on the Dodge? I'm not sure where you are located so I'm not sure what the level of inspection is for this truck. That would maintain the TBI but give you more adjustability when you add better parts.
The fact that you're building a '72-93 Dodge is GREAT in my book! This era of Rams has been ignored long enough. I'd really like to see it made into a cool cruiser-on-a-budget project. All around good looks with driveability and economy.  

I'm in So Cal, so anything that's used on the Dodge has to be CARB approved.

I'll check with Holley to find out what we can use, they are real good to work with so it shouldn't take more than a phone call.

You can't see much of the Dodge but we used it in the DIY tech on installing a rear window in the January issue.

I think we can build a pretty nice truck for around three-grand. It's not raining old Dodges in California, so I was real lucky to find a fully-loaded V8 powered shortbed for $501.00!

In the April issue of CCT we are putting Corbeau bucket seats in it. Corbeau makes brackets for Dodges so it should go pretty easy.

Thanks for the input, talk to you later.

—John