All Small Six 200 to 250 swap

[prlfnkwrk2949]

I currently have a 64 falcon with a 66 200 in it. I want something bigger but want to stay with the inline six (so 250 or 300). My concern is would switching to a bigger 6 cause me to have to swap out suspension and steering parts due to weight or would I still be okay in that aspect?

 

[bmbm40]

Trans and rear axle may need to be swapped but without the details of those current components hard to say. Also how you plan to drive it and your performance/power expectations. I am not an expert on any of this but read a lot on this forum and there several members here that can advise you.

 

[DON]

I don’t think there is much difference in weight. But it could make more of a difference if your current front end is…tired. Springs are relatively cheap. You will have to make sure the oil pan will clear the front suspension components. It’s easier to make the pan clear than to change the steering to clear the pan

 

[awasson]

From my understanding, moving from 200 to 250 will require motor mounts that drop the engine an inch or so because the 250 is taller. The weight difference isn’t that substantial. I don’t think the bell housing on a 66 200 will crossover to a 250 though. I think later 200’s will but from my research a 66 was an oddball (I have a 66 200).

If you were to go with a 300, that’s a different story. Those are substantially heavier and they are wider, taller and longer than a 200 or 250. I saw a 66 mustang with a 300 shoehorned into it but it must have taken so engineering to get it in.

I guess it all depends on your plans. I’m sticking with a mildly done 6 in my Mustang and putting in a better geared transmission for the torque curve. I may boost it if I really want to give it some beans but even with the bagged out 3-speed manual, it feels like it’s got some get up and go.

 

[prlfnkwrk2949]

From my understanding, moving from 200 to 250 will require motor mounts that drop the engine an inch or so because the 250 is taller. The weight difference isn’t that substantial. I don’t think the bell housing on a 66 200 will crossover to a 250 though. I think later 200’s will but from my research a 66 was an oddball (I have a 66 200).

If you were to go with a 300, that’s a different story. Those are substantially heavier and they are wider, taller and longer than a 200 or 250. I saw a 66 mustang with a 300 shoehorned into it but it must have taken so engineering to get it in.

I guess it all depends on your plans. I’m sticking with a mildly done 6 in my Mustang and putting in a better geared transmission for the torque curve. I may boost it if I really want to give it some beans but even with the bagged out 3-speed manual, it feels like it’s got some get up and go.

Thanks, I really would like better acceleration. Currently it is a bit sluggish and I initially planned to find another 200 to rebuild and mod to put into it but the 250s and 300s seem to be more prevalent. I will just wait and eventually one will pop up. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[TrickSix]

It's a little easier with a '64 Falcon than the older ones. But a 250 is still not an easy drop-in swap. Maverick 250 motor mounts are the ones to find. The engine needs to be scootched back as far as you can, and even then you'll probably need to cut a notch to move the radiator forward a little. Fabrication required for the tranny mount, and driveshafts and shifters need to fit. And mind your air cleaner/hood clearance. I've never done it, but so says "The Book".

 

[John Ha]

But a 250 is still not an easy drop-in swap. Maverick 250 motor mounts are the ones to find. The engine needs to be scootched back as far as you can, and even then you'll probably need to cut a notch to move the radiator forward a little. Fabrication required for the tranny mount, and driveshafts and shifters need to fit. And mind your air cleaner/hood clearance. I've never done it, but so says "The Book".

There are a lot of threads on this forum that discuss this. I recommend that you read them.

I've put a 250 in my 66 Mustang, which isn't that much different from your Falcon. I was converting from a V8 though (it came from the factory as a 200 but a previous owner converted it to a V8), so I had a little bit of an advantage in having a drivetrain that bolted directly to the 250. The 250 is really close to the same length as the 200 and there's no need to alter the radiator mount to make it fit. You will need a bellhousing, starter and transmission compatible with the small-block V8 bolt pattern for the 250, and possibly a driveshaft length change. I don't know whether the transmission mount will need to be changed but I wouldn't think it would unless you change to a T5 or some other late-model transmission. It is possible to use the stock 200 engine mounts if you make a drop bracket (I posted details on how to do this some time back but there's an old website of mine that has some additional information).

As far as steering and suspension, I think you'd be OK keeping what you have with the 250 swap.

Going with a 300 is a whole different thing though, in all respects.

Edit: I failed to address the Maverick mounts for the engine. It's true that the Falcon Six Perfomance Handbook recommends using the Maverick engine mounts. I've looked for those for years and have never found a set for sale. They seem to be very scarce. That's what led me to make the drop brackets that I used.

Also, the air cleaner can be an issue. I found an original equipment one on eBay. The unit you want was used on the early 70's Mustangs, Mavericks equipped with the 250 I6 (I found mine on eBay). The later 70's (starting in 73-ish) cars used the same unit but those had tons of sensors in them for the emissions, so you'd need to find a way to either make them look pretty with the sensors or find a way to plug all the holes.

 

[TrickSix]

Falcons and Mustangs are indeed quite similar. The Schjeldahl brother's Falcon Six Performance Handbook 250 swap instructions are specifically for a Falcon though, not a Mustang. They even break it down into 60-63 body style and 64-65 Falcon instructions. But as I said, I haven't done it, and there can be many ways to skin a cat. Reality usually trumps conjecture.