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Author
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Topic: E4OD for C-6 in 78 F-150 351M, or 351W-AOD
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sigtauenus
Gearhead Posts: 3969
From: Va Beach
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 09-06-2006 01:20 PM
 
Hi guys,
Big debate here. The Mach 1 is for sale and when it goes, the 78 will be my driver until I get the 68 done and back on the road.
I have two short term options... buy a beater such as a cheap Focus, Tempo, (ahem, civic), etc, or spend a few bucks on the truck, which I like, to make it more drivable.
Background on the truck is that I put in a reman block, rebuilt the 9", new front suspension and steering, new paint, new interior. Only thing left to be done is the transmission and transfer case. So, I'd like to keep and drive the truck.
As-is, I get about 9-10 mpg, I have been told that if I dump the NP203 transfer case I can get 1-2 mpg just from that. Regardless, I'd like to bump it up to about 15 mpg.
Here's some things I'm looking at...
Swap the entire engine, tranny, and transfer case out of a late 80's/early 90's F-150 and go with 302/351W, AOD, and the associated transfer case from a parts yard. For minimal cost/effort slap on a intake and carb and run with it as-is, likely get everything for under $300-400 used and just need to scavenge/fabricate a new trans crossmember and driveshafts if anything. OR
Swap out the C-6 and NP203 for a 2wd E4OD and just run the driveshaft to the rear end, leaving the front axle unhooked. Not ideal, but I don't need the 4x4 in Virginia. The E4OD is the only OD option I have for 351M. I can get the E40D used for $100, and get a custom electronic control module for $425 new, and be into it for $500 or so.
The C-6 needs rebuilt or replaced anyhow, so if I can increase my mpg by 40-50%, I'll make back $500 in the first 12 months commuting at $2.30/gallon, even sooner if it goes back up to $3.00.
Lastly, the engine is bone stock 351M. I've heard that if I add a little bit of cam to it to give it some more power, I won't be in the throttle so much and it will actually increase mpg. Any truth to that?
The used parts from the salvage yard will have a decent enough warranty, and I will be using them soon enough, that I'm not worried about using them. Again, this just needs to get me to work, no significant performance otherwise. Thoughts? Edit: Buying another truck is not an option I will consider, as I doubt I will find anything in as good of shape as mine is in for the $500 that we're talking about here in parts swapping. Edit 2: I'm running 31x10.50 tires on 15" wheels. Would there be any significant mileage gain by going to a difference size?
[This message has been edited by sigtauenus (edited 09-06-2006).]
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hwyman3
Gearhead Posts: 2592
From: Southern Maryland, USA
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 09-06-2006 10:06 PM
Sig Sam,Here's my experience with the 302/E4OD combo I had in my old truck. It was a great combination. It was a 2 wheel drive and if I drove it carefully, I could get up to 19mpg. Granted, to get 19, I had to take off from a stop light so slow, tractor trailers were flipping me off. But even when I got rid of it, both the engine and tranny were still strong. ------------------
Greg W.
M&M #3962 MCA #52100
2002 Laser Red GT Coupe The Highwayman 3
2006 F-150 STX Supercab 4x4
Southern Maryland Mustang Club
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/MembersPics/hwyman3.html
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