300 I-6 or 330 V-8?

HollowBassman · #1 07-21-2008, 05:49 PM

As some of you may remember, I recently purchased an engine-less 1942 panel truck. The original plan was to buy an assembled 300 I-6 from Clifford Performance, but it seems that I will have to go a cheaper route. The next plan was get a 300 from a donor F-150 and add performance parts as the budget allows.

Fast forward to today... my uncle offers to give me the 330 V-8 and transmission from his '69 N-600. I would prefer the I-6 in my panel, but this engine being free would leave a good bit more money for go-fast parts.

So, I'm not sure which route to take. Should I stick with the plan and spend my limited time and money to find a donor F-150 with the preferred engine and transmission, or should I scrap the plan and go with the cheap and easy?

iamlowsound · #2 07-21-2008, 06:07 PM

Cheap and easy, plus that V8 will get more power in the end.

lowsound

Chunk-O-Funk · #3 07-21-2008, 06:15 PM

How available are performance parts, or parts in general for the 330?

If the 330 shares anything in common with the other popular Ford motors and the parts are easy to come by I would go with the free V8.

HollowBassman · #4 07-21-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Cheap and easy, plus that V8 will get more power in the end.

lowsound

I really doubt that I'll end up making more power with the 330. It's a big block, low-RPM, heavy duty truck engine.

HollowBassman · #5 07-21-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

How available are performance parts, or parts in general for the 330?

If the 330 shares anything in common with the other popular Ford motors and the parts are easy to come by I would go with the free V8.

It seems the 330 is not a common engine. There are parts available, but not as many as you would think. Some parts are interchangeable with FE engines, but it's taking a lot of reading trying to figure out which ones.

anderbass · #6 07-21-2008, 06:38 PM

That old medium-duty 330 truck motor/tranny are gonna weigh several hundred pounds more than the inline 300 (or a 302) and a car tranny.

Besides sucking more gas, your old panel wont handle or stop as nearly as well compared to using a lighter engine/tranny.
(I'd ether go with the big 6 or a 302 or a 351 windsor)

FL Knifemaker · #7 07-21-2008, 06:43 PM

I've had a lot of I6's in Fords and Jeeps and they are great motors. That said, they don't have a very pleasing sound for a street rod or custom. I'd go with the 8 in that panel truck

Chunk-O-Funk · #8 07-21-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HollowBassman

It seems the 330 is not a common engine. There are parts available, but not as many as you would think. Some parts are interchangeable with FE engines, but it's taking a lot of reading trying to figure out which ones.

That motor might be more of a headache than anything else, then. I can't image the included transmission is something you want, if it would even fit. Finding a bell housing to fit that block may be a problem. Motor mounts? I don't know, just thinking out loud.

HollowBassman · #9 07-21-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

I've had a lot of I6's in Fords and Jeeps and they are great motors. That said, they don't have a very pleasing sound for a street rod or custom. I'd go with the 8 in that panel truck

I actually like sound they make:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=q6_a8RzNLKw

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2xgYd2u79NU

Mike N · #10 07-21-2008, 07:39 PM

350 Chevy.

HollowBassman · #11 07-21-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike N

350 Chevy.

I'll sell all I own and buy a Prius before I put a mouse in my FORD truck.

Not that there is anything wrong with Chevys, but there is nothing more boring that just another 350 sitting between the framerails. Oddly enough, I actually have three partial 350s sitting in the barn that I could combine into a working engine.

Ray Holt · #12 07-21-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike N

350 Chevy.

+1

jsbass · #13 07-21-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Cheap and easy, plus that V8 will get more power in the end.

lowsound

No way.

The 300-6 is such a renowned truck engine not only due to it being bullet proof, but it has such a great low end torque to it that makes it an awesome truck engine. Big straight six > small block eight.

Spector_Ray · #14 07-21-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HollowBassman

I'll sell all I own and buy a Prius before I put a mouse in my FORD truck.

Not that there is anything wrong with Chevys, but there is nothing more boring that just another 350 sitting between the framerails. Oddly enough, I actually have three partial 350s sitting in the barn that I could combine into a working engine.

Makes you queasy knowing there are all those Bowties around you, eh?

RobTheSkanker · #15 07-22-2008, 06:46 AM

I'd say if you had the resources available to do the I6, then do it, less annoyance when it comes to parts and you'll be happier with the performance. Trying to find performance parts for a non-popular engine isn't fun.

Ripper · #16 07-22-2008, 08:09 AM

lesse... '42 ford... flathead!!!!

playinpearls · #17 07-22-2008, 10:08 AM

i thought that seemed like an odd size v8, guess i should have read before voting...

i'd scrap both and go for a 302 or 351, if you REALLY wanted a ford...

i'd go for a good ol' 350....but thats just me...

Sandman1278 · #18 07-22-2008, 10:22 AM

just make sure u can run it on biodiesel

HollowBassman · #19 07-22-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripper

lesse... '42 ford... flathead!!!!

That would be a little too pricey for this truck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by playinpearls

...

i'd scrap both and go for a 302 or 351, if you REALLY wanted a ford...

I'm avoiding using a smallblock Ford for the same reason that I'm not using a smallblock Chevy; way too overdone.

Stu L. · #20 07-22-2008, 02:32 PM

I had a '77 F150 with the 300 I6, and that get's my vote. Of course, I like torque, which that truck had in spades. I'm not familiar with the 330, so I can't comment.

I would take Mike's comment to be the 350 because of the availability of parts, and go power. Mike may be a fan of the 350, but I believe I've read posts from him in the past praising an I6, but I don't remember an 8 cylinder option in that thread. But maybe I dreamed it all too, I dunno