econo - conversion

[peugeot bill]

any thoghts about removing a 170 3 spd. and replacing it with a 250 AOD in its place? the cubes would be nice and with the AOD the 4.10 rear wouldn't seem like the engine was screaming!

 

[CobraSix]

why not consider a 250 with a T5? you generally get better mileage from a manual tranny.

Slade

 

[Falcon62]

any thoghts about removing a 170 3 spd. and replacing it with a 250 AOD in its place? the cubes would be nice and with the AOD the 4.10 rear wouldn't seem like the engine was screaming!

Depends on what vehicle you're dealing with.

 

[peugeot bill]

an econoline van, short wheelbase. and i think putting a T5 in would be a linkage nightmare, as it has a column shift. i'd a shifter off a hewland to work

 

[rbohm]

8) a 250/aod combo would be a good one for the econoline van, though i think the 300 would be better.

 

[Falcon62]

8) a 250/aod combo would be a good one for the econoline van, though i think the 300 would be better.

I agree. 8)

 

['61 Draggin Wagon]

.... And the '65 & later "Heavy Duty" series of mid engine Econolines came with 240's. Which is the 300's lil' bro. The Heavy Dutys are easily identified by the extended section behind the rear axle. They built 'em '65 to '68? This would be a great source for engine mounts & such.
Also, sometime along that body style run, Ford built a (very) few Econolines with 4 speeds on the trees. Never seen one, but found a reference to them in a Ford parts catalog a long time ago. I have a pair of fairly nice headlight bezels for an early E-line. Need polished. Know of anyone looking for a pair?
Darryl

 

[Falcon62]

You're right Darryl, but IIRC, those 4spds were Dagenhams and they are not worth having, especially behind a 240/300.

 

[peugeot bill]

the beauty of the econoline is it's mid engine. the smallis perfect for the eco! its just under powered, and the 250/AOD just looks like an easy swap. add a/c and it would be a kick ass minivan!

bill

 

[Anonymous]

Just a quick comment from someone in the process of converting to an automatic. You don't mention the year of the Econoline. The first automatic from the factory was in 1964. The easiest conversion on the early vans is to go with a 200 CID and a C4 from a 64 Econoline equiped with a 170 CID engine. No other tranny is a direct swap on these early vans. This C4 has a very short tailshaft and is unique to this vehicle You will also need the steering column, radiator, trans and carb linkage, bellhousing, and the motor mount arms from the donor vehicle. The 64 Econoline donor will be very hard to find. Anything else will be a very difficult swap. 250's if I recall, are not a good mount to this tranny and the 250 is also physically taller than the 200 which is identical in size to the 200. Hope this info helps.

By the way... I am looking for a good and complete 200. Any help will be appreciated.

Jersey Jim

 

['61 Draggin Wagon]

And to think I just scrapped a '65 Econobox with auto trans a year ago.

Darryl

 

[Gene 64 2dr]

I use to have a 64 econoline that started it's life with a 144 3 speed. A little under powered was an understatement. I dopped in a 250 with no problems. I just took off the cover around the engine a did the swap through the side door with protable hoist. The 250 fits in with the same amount of room around it as the 144 and the height differance wasn't a problem. I kept the same same 3 speed trans. I could acctualy drive up a hill without down shifting. I'm not sure what the weight difference is between the 300 and the 250 but it might handle better with the 250. Not that they handle very well anyway. I whish I still had mine.

Gene

 

[peugeot bill]

and with the 4.11 rear gears, the AOD would allow you to cruise at highway speeds. plus it's a snap to bolt up to the 250. a floor or dash mounted shifter. knock out the worn column shifter.and go to town!

bill

 

[Anonymous]

I'll add there's a site http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldeconolines/ which is early Econo specific (61 to 67) which deals with swaps and parts for our Vans and PU's. As with this group and cars, the Econoheads are very knowledgeable on these vehicles. I've got a 64 Econo PU and swapped the 170 for the 200 and the 3 speed for an Auto C4. We even have a guy who makes the hanger mounts to put the later C4 (short tail housing) into the earlier pre 64. Check it out.

Steve in VA