Repower: 4bt into 1972 Ford F100 4x4 with supercharged 360

[Brady]

Afternoon!

Thanks for all great information, I figured it was time for me to add to the body of knowledge with my current project.

The recipient of the repower is my 1972 F100 bump side 4x4. It's pretty special to me has this was very nearly the same pickup that was my dad's. It's currently housing a 360 with a Paxton SN-93 supercharger, 427 lowriser heads, NP 435 with a married Dana transfer case.

Long term final goal is a 4bt with NP435/NP205 followed by a divorced Spicer 5831 (2 under, 1 direct, 0.73 over).

I just finished yanking out the 4bt from the Grumman stepvan. It has a Ford setup which simplifies my work immensely.

I've decided to break the job into separate tasks.

Task 1 is swapping the current power plant out for the 4bt and leave the existing drivetrain in place.
I'll be yanking the 360 out probably next weekend. I chose to leave the existing drivetrain in place in order to shorten downtime and also have a starting point for placement of the 4bt. I'm not sure if the Ford 300 6 cylinder engine perches will work or if I'll fabbing up new engine perches, but that's about the only unknown that I can see at this point.

Task 2 will be swapping out the current NP435 and Spicer transfercase for the freshly rebuilt NP435 and NP205 transfercase. I'll probably be tackling this in next couple of months.

Task 3 and the final task will be to install the brownie box and the associated shifter and linkage. And this is scheduled for this summer.

Can any of you provide any pointers for repowering bump side Fords with a 4bt? I'm especially interested in any knowledge about the engine perches design, placement and fabrication.

I'll be posting pics as soon as I start yanking stuff from the pickup.

~Sean

[Ranchero50]

Hey Sean, welcome to the site. If you would like I can move this thread into the Projects subforum. There are several diesel swap threads in progress and even running, suggest you check out some of the work for a 4x4 frame. I'm doing a 6bt / 518 2wd dually project myself.

Jamie

[mljjones67]

Welcome aboard!! I am also doin a Cummins. Good luck and look forward to seeing your progress.

[gregamorton]

yes welcome! I had a 4bt in mine now I have 7.3!

[Brady]

By all means, please place this thread in the appropriate forum!

Thanks for the support gents! I'll keep you posted on the build in this thread.

[averagef250]

Cool project, good to see another 4B into a fullsize truck.

I have done some of these, 4B's into Fords and many other vehicles. I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have.

What are your goals for the truck? If you just want something different and don't plan to drive it more than a couple thousand miles a year then the 435/splitter idea will work OK for you. You probably won't drive it enough to hate it. If you want a clean, functional end result you'll look forward to driving everyday everywhere you'll want a transmission that will work with the engine along with some other updates like noise reduction and power upgrades.

Lots of ways you can do the mounts. Engine mount design and isolator choice is important with these engines moreso than most other engines. Idle shake is more noticeable than other engines. Torque is much higher than other engines. The engine is around 850 pounds. There are no bolt in pre-79 Ford mounts. You can use the engine side brackets and dodge gas engine isolators that came in the Ford chassis breadvans or you can use something that handles more than stock breadvan power. There are some new 4B conversion mounts that will hit the market soon, something you might look out for.

[Brady]

Nope, it's a daily driver. I grew up in and learned to drive in a peterbilt 358 with a 4 main by double under single over brownie. I'm more than happy with this setup. If I wasn't happy with it, I would gave done something about the NP435 a long time ago. Personally, I don't care for "new" tech and as for power mods, one or two twists of the pump set screw is more than enough for me.

So who's manufacturing engine perches? I would interested in set of these. Sure would simplify the swap for me.

[averagef250]

I sent you a PM with some things about your projects and the mounts I mentioned.

[mljjones67]

Send me the info to Dustin. Thanks