All Small Six Early 60s 200 in a Falcon with a 144

[kaden_.adams]

Hey! Found a motor to swap into my falcon. Its a 200 with a 170 head, don't ask me why. The guy is a good friend who went through the motor and only had 2 weeks on it before deciding to swap a bigger motor in. How big of an issue will I have swapping that into my falcon with a 144? When I go to order everything do I order it for a 144? Or a 200? Will a new 144 clutch work with a 200? Its a 3 on the tree. I know accessories like water pumps and thermostats will fit. What about everything else? Will my 1904 Holley work ok with the 200? Distributor? Im not a big i6 guy, know lots about big blocks and small blocks. Just not too familiar with any of the i6s. Any help is appreciated.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, the early engines have a small bell housing bolt pattern, and a small carb opening. Later engines have a dual bell housing bolt pattern and a larger carb opening. Since you have a 170 head, the carb should be the same, but I guess the new engine has a carb anyway. The old 8" flywheel/clutch assembly will bolt on. I believe you will have to move the dowels on the block. Use thread sealer on the flywheel bolts. If the new engine had an automatic tranny, you will need the older pilot bushing. There are at least two different sizes. Good luck

 

[bmbm40]

Congratulations! The 200 should be a noticeable performance increase. Might be helpful to know the block/head casting numbers for the 144 and the 200.

 

[bmbm40]

Good info on 144-250 evolution:

Classic Inlines - Ford Small Inline Six Specs

Classic Inlines - Ford Small Inline Six Specs

 

[ActionYobbo]

Most of what you have will fit. Use your carburetor and distributor if they are working good now. You will need to rejet and tune the carburetor but if it’s running now it will start the new engine.
You can stick with your small bellhousing flywheel and clutch if you are not out to break any quarter mile records but if that’s your thing get the bigger 200 flywheel, clutch and bellhousing

 

[powerband]

.with assistance from forum members it should be straightforward swap from 144 to 200 ( with a few pesky details of course )

You can verify it's actually a 200 vs 170 by 'freeze plugs' on exh side of motor: 3 frz plugs = 170cid (or 144) and 5 frz plugs = 200cid
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also the numerics behind starter are block first production year -like C6DE - C6xx=1966 / C8DE C8xx=1968 etc...
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have fun

 

[bmbm40]

I remember now that the early pre 64? blocks used a smaller diameter distributor drive shaft than the later blocks which had a larger diameter shaft and a larger hole in the block. Very likely the smaller diameter can be used in later block. There are a lot of members here with way more experience that can confirm. Enjoy your added torque/hp.

 

[awasson]

Yes, that should be a fairly pain free swap. The 200 changed to a dual pattern block in 66 but I think a 65 would have the small pattern anyway. What numbers are on the head and what numbers are on the block of the 200? Those will tell us what year everything is. I’m pretty sure that @bmbm40 is correct about that distributor shaft being too small. You will need a distributor with the larger diameter.

By the way, keep that 144 head. It would be useful if you ever intend to build a performance head for it because of the small combustion chambers. It would need bigger valves cut into it but you could use the intake valves as exhausts and then get new larger intake valves. The 144 log itself is quite small so you’d probably need to go with a tri-carb setup but it’s all part of the fun.

 

[awasson]

Just thinking further on this. The orientation of the starter might be an issue. Some engines had a low mount starter and some had high mount. The bell housing for whichever location will need to match the block. Fortunately the bell housings do mix and match but that will be a consideration for your swap.

 

[powerband]

... NO low mount starter on small sixes other than 250's and late 70's/early 80's unique automatic only BH 200 on Mustang, Tbird etc... .
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have fun