200 engine swap for a 170

[Anonymous]

My camshaft bearings as well as valves are making alot of rattling sounds these days and I have the oportunity to swap out my 200 for a rebuilt 170 w/5K miles on it. Is that the best choice rather than having the bearings replaced and the head all rebuilt? Also, the 170 block is the same as the 200 right? So I can just pull my alternator, dizzy & pertonix stuff, headers, carb, all that stuff that is on my 200 right now and bolt it onto the new 170 block, right?

Thanks, Spence

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't, the 170 is alot weaker. Unless you care nothing about power and everything about not spending money.

All that stuff should bolt on cept I'm not sure the distributor will go on the 170. Anyway the 170 has only four mains and 15% less displacement.

But if you don't care that you'll lose some power, then go ahead.

 

[Hot 6t Falcon]

Spence,

You didn't say what year the 170 was. To the best of my knowledge, the '60 to '65 170 is NOT double drilled at the bell housing flange. It wil ONLY bolt to the "small" bell housing.

The '60 to '64 170 has lugs for the generator bracket and is probably missing one of the holes for the Alt bracket to bolt on. However, you can weld the Alt bracket to the Gen bracket and make do just fine. (be sure you line up the pulley.)

Everything off of the 200 - EXCEPT the distributor - should go on the 170. You might be able to put your Petronix in the 170 distributor - Check with Petronix.

You're going to lose some power, but it sounds like your goal is to keep it running more than to have more HP. If the 170 is DIRT cheap, do it.


Good Luck