All Small Six 170 to 200 Engine Swap

[geraba]

Hello, Sorry for my ignorance, and I'm probably beating an old thread to death, I have a '65 Econoline Pickup with a 3speed toploader, 170ci. It doesn't turn over yet but I haven't tried to hard either. I found a 1980ish 3.3 out of a fairmont and was wondering about doing the swap. Is it a direct bolt in? I can buy this engine for the same price as a rebuild kit for the 170. I just want it running and driving for now.
Thanks

 

[bubba22349]

Fairmont 200's are not a direct bolt in without changing a few parts over from your 170 into it. The main one is the Oil Pan and the Oil Pump Pick Up Tube the Fox Chassis Fairmont's and Mustang's all use a rear sump Oil Pan and its Oil Pump Pick Up Tube, so you will need those 170 parts to fit it into your Econoline, another item is the Oil Dip Stick and it's Tube. But there is another major potential problem that you need to check out first since your kind of a little vague on the exact year in the 1980's this is if the Fairmont 200 has a Low or a High Mount Starter. The Low mount starter position isn't going to be a bolt in deal without lots of work and some additional parts like the right SBF V8 Bell Housing and a Custom Flywheel. If its a High mount starter though like your Original 170 than it will bolt right in after the above parts swapping is done. Good luck. Edited

 

[geraba]

Fairmont 200's are not a direct bolt in without changing a few parts over from your 170 into it. The main one is the Oil Pan and the Oil Pump Pick up tube the Fox Chassis Fairmont's and Mustang's all use a rear sump Oil Pan so you will need your 170 parts to fit it into your Econoline, another item is the Oil Dip Stick and it's Tube. But there is another major potential problem that you need to check out first since your kind of a little vague on the exact year in the 1980's this is if the Fairmont 200 has a Low or High Mount starter. The Low mount starter position isn't going to be a bolt in deal without lots of work and some additional parts like right SBF V8 Bell Housing and a Custom Flywheel. If its a High mount starter though like your Original 170 than it will bolt right in after the above parts swapping is done. Good luck. Edited

Thanks for the heads up, The posting I am considering is for 2 engine's in the package. The pictures aren't great but it does look like one does have a lower starter than the other, If I'm understanding the seller correctly, It appears the block with the high mount starter is a complete parts engine and the Low mounted starter is a good runner. I haven't put any eyes on them yet and wanted to make of the compatibility before I went ahead with it.

 

[bubba22349]

The Low mount Starter 200 blocks also know as the Big Bell engine are kind of a rare one year item they were used with a C5 Automatic Transmission. They have 2/3 of the 6 Bolt Bell Housing Pattern used on the Small Block Ford V8's like the late 1965 up 289, 302, 351 W & C. So then the top two block Bolt holes can be moded so as to use the right 1967 up SBF V8 engine Bell Housing that will fit your 3.03 Top Loader Transmission. Than you need a Zero Balance SBF V8 157 tooth Flywheel, it could be re-drilled or slotted to work or better yet have a Custom Flywheel made that has the correct Crankshaft Bolt pattern of the 200 Six. After that it could bolt in fairly easy. I have been itching to get ahold of one these Big Bell 200 for a drag race project for years. Best of luck

 

[geraba]

The Low mount Starter 200 blocks also know as the Big Bell engine are kind of a rare one year item they were used with a C5 Automatic Transmission. They have 2/3 of the 6 Bolt Bell Housing Pattern used on the Small Block Ford V8's like the late 1965 up 289, 302, 351 W & C. So then the top two block Bolt holes can be moded so as to use the right 1967 up SBF V8 engine Bell Housing that will fit your 3.03 Top Loader Transmission. Than you need a Zero Balance SBF V8 157 tooth Flywheel, it could be re-drilled or slotted to work or better yet have a Custom Flywheel made that has the correct Crankshaft Bolt pattern of the 200 Six. After that it could bolt in fairly easy. I have been itching to get ahold of one these Big Bell 200 for a drag race project for years. Best of luck

I'll Let you know what I find out when I go take a look at them! Thanks for all the info so far

 

[Wyowanderer]

Hello, Sorry for my ignorance, and I'm probably beating an old thread to death, I have a '65 Econoline Pickup with a 3speed toploader, 170ci. It doesn't turn over yet but I haven't tried to hard either. I found a 1980ish 3.3 out of a fairmont and was wondering about doing the swap. Is it a direct bolt in? I can buy this engine for the same price as a rebuild kit for the 170. I just want it running and driving for now.
Thanks

I swapped a '78 Fairmont 200 into my '63 Econoline, and it was ALMOST a bolt in. The Carter YFA was turned so that the throttle had to be pulled across the valve cover rather than using the stock rod system on the van. I bought a cable from Victor LaFountaine and took the "mousetrap" and pedal assembly from a '65 Super Van with a 240. I had to weld a clamp mount to attach the cable.
The other issue was the water pump/damper pullly and their interface with the generator. I ended uo using the stock damper from the '78 and I tossed the generator for a 3G alternator. It was REALLY tight, but worked perfect. I also had to ditch the stock fan and run an electric fan.
Both engines used the 3 bolt "high starter.
Good luck

 

[geraba]

I'll Let you know what I find out when I go take a look at them! Thanks for all the info so far

 

[geraba]

Here are the pictures I’ve got, one bell housing is about 16” and the other is about 13”

 

[jaan-e]

They look like Perfect cores for a hot rebuild, one of each bellhousing and DSII ignitions, i would grab them both!
Once striped of all emission junk and accesories its easier to see what fits and not.
Good luck!

 

[Frank]

They look like Perfect cores for a hot rebuild, one of each bellhousing and DSII ignitions, i would grab them both!
Once striped of all emission junk and accesories its easier to see what fits and not.
Good luck!

Agreed! Nice find. Get the factory air filter housings too, they're worth what you'll pay for the engine.

 

[geraba]

Agreed! Nice find. Get the factory air filter housings too, they're worth what you'll pay for the engine.

Thanks everyone for your input! I’m going to go pick these up today! If anyone needs parts I don’t need, Let me know!

 

[bmbm40]

Congratulations on a great find!

 

[78_200_C4]

Use the 170 damper, water pump, water pump pulley, fan, alternator and brackets. Using these parts will keep your fan clearance. 1/4" drive oil pumps (if that's what you have) are shorter so if you have problems installing the 170 oil pan buy a 65 200 oil pickup.

 

[geraba]

Use the 170 damper, water pump, water pump pulley, fan, alternator and brackets. Using these parts will keep your fan clearance. 1/4" drive oil pumps (if that's what you have) are shorter so if you have problems installing the 170 oil pan buy a 65 200 oil pickup

Thank you for the advice! It's honestly a big help and time saver, Thanks Everyone for chiming in with your experience!

 

[geraba]

I did buy the The Ford Falcon SIX Cylinder performance handbook from Vintage Inlines. That book is full of good stuff, I'm definitely taking the adjustable rocker arms from the 170 and putting in the 200, I'm planning on going to the Autolite 2100 and a header, I'm wondering about decking the block while it's not installed, Is it really worth it? My goal for the truck is to make it a nice weather daily driver and even using it to go to the store when I need a few sheets of plywood or some 2x4's ETC...