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Just as implied I am having a hard time sorting out the best engine/transmission/fuel system for my truck. The truck is a 1979 F-250 4x4 LWB, 4 speed T-19, with a 400M, and the build thread is on this forum http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31733
Keep in mind this engine only developed in stock form 160 HP and 260 ft/lbs of torque, so biblical gas mileage is out of the question. My goal (as lofty as it might sound) is to find the most efficient combination of power to economy, and not be diesel powered. Sounds pretty far fetched, but I happen to have the time to come up with wildly unrealistic goals and I figure that I should share, if not just for entertainment value but for discussion as well. Here are the top four:
P.S., I would like to cap this endeavor at $5,000. Right.
Option 1: rebuild engine with increased compression ratio, possibly a better cam. Something to bring the HP up to 300 and torque 350. Then add EFI and back to a NV4500 5 speed.
Option 2: find complete 351W engine, harness and ZF 5 speed from 1992-1996 F-250. Cheaper, but would still be under-powered at 200 HP-310 ft/lbs of torque = low efficiency.
Option 3: find complete 460, harness, and ZF 5 speed from same era of truck. Same problem as with 351W, 245 HP-410 ft/lbs of torque. Not looking good.
Option 4: find complete 5.4 Triton from 2004-2008 F -series. This engine is available in both F-150 and F-250's, so it will more common but there is a catch. Most trucks came with automatic transmissions. ZF made a 6 speed manual for them, and it was an option for the F-250's (not sure about the F-150's). The trans, along with pressure plate and clutch can be sourced. But a different spline count transfer case would be needed since the automatic and manual use different versions of the NV271F transfer case.
To be honest, I'm thinking out loud and feel any one of these combinations will break the bank. If anyone has a cheaper alternative or can think of something I have missed, let me know.
Keep in mind this engine only developed in stock form 160 HP and 260 ft/lbs of torque, so biblical gas mileage is out of the question. My goal (as lofty as it might sound) is to find the most efficient combination of power to economy, and not be diesel powered. Sounds pretty far fetched, but I happen to have the time to come up with wildly unrealistic goals and I figure that I should share, if not just for entertainment value but for discussion as well. Here are the top four:
P.S., I would like to cap this endeavor at $5,000. Right.
Option 1: rebuild engine with increased compression ratio, possibly a better cam. Something to bring the HP up to 300 and torque 350. Then add EFI and back to a NV4500 5 speed.
Option 2: find complete 351W engine, harness and ZF 5 speed from 1992-1996 F-250. Cheaper, but would still be under-powered at 200 HP-310 ft/lbs of torque = low efficiency.
Option 3: find complete 460, harness, and ZF 5 speed from same era of truck. Same problem as with 351W, 245 HP-410 ft/lbs of torque. Not looking good.
Option 4: find complete 5.4 Triton from 2004-2008 F -series. This engine is available in both F-150 and F-250's, so it will more common but there is a catch. Most trucks came with automatic transmissions. ZF made a 6 speed manual for them, and it was an option for the F-250's (not sure about the F-150's). The trans, along with pressure plate and clutch can be sourced. But a different spline count transfer case would be needed since the automatic and manual use different versions of the NV271F transfer case.
To be honest, I'm thinking out loud and feel any one of these combinations will break the bank. If anyone has a cheaper alternative or can think of something I have missed, let me know.