200/250 swap

[63Rancher]

Hey guys, I just picked up a 250CID from 72 with a c4 auto attached to it, for free. Pretty stoked, except he said it was a 170 from a 65 falcon but hey free is free right?

anyways, I was wondering if there is any reason I would swap my 200 out for a 250. This is in a 63 Ranchero with a top loader 3 speed. From the base specs it looks like a drop, but maybe it can be bored out more? And if not, any parts I should salvage that are interchangeable?

 

[rocklord]

One way to verify if it is a 250 is to count the number of bolts that attach the water pump, a 250 has four, the 170 has three. Another is the 250 has a low mount starter and a bellhousing similar to the V8. The 250 will fit in a 63 Ranchero, but the hood clearance may be tight. You may be able to elongate the holes in the motor mounts to lower the engine.

The only parts that can be used out of a 250 on the smaller engines is the head, rocker assembly, pistons, alternator, exhaust manifold, and fuel pump.

 

[63Rancher]

ok so the dampner is out of the question then? thanks for the info.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Rancher:

You didn't say what year your 200 is in your '63 Ranchero. If the 250 has it's original carb, a Carter RBS and distributor, you could consider swapping both, especially if your 200 is a '69 or earlier. The carb is rated at 215 cfm and the distributor has both vacuum and centrifugal advance. The swap would require reaming out the top of the carb hole to clear the larger butterfly of the RBS, adapting linkage and rerouting the fuel line. The distributor is a direct swap.

As far as swapping the 250/C4 in place of your 200/2.77, take a close look at the frount pulley/water pump assembly as well as the oil pan configuration. Most likely the 250 will have a longer front assembly and, depending on what it came out of may have a different oil pan profile. The 250/C4 will be considerably heavier than your 200/2.77 with the tranmission making up the bulk of the difference.

How about some more info?

Adios, David

 

[engineer36]

good subject matter, can a 250 be put in a 65 mustang with c4 tranny

 

[rocklord]

good subject matter, can a 250 be put in a 65 mustang with c4 tranny

Yes.

 

[63Rancher]

sorry for the lack of info. The 200 in my Ranchero is from a 1970. The carb on the 250 is a Holley 1940, which I believe now brings my count of those to three, including the one on my car. It's looking more like I'm going to part it out, since I like my engine and don't really want to go through the hassle of a swap.