Experts... help please

[Anonymous]

1960 Falcon 2dr. sedan, stock 144, stock three on tree, stock everything practically.

I want the best suggestion possible for the easiest engine/tranny drop-in swap... I lost my garage space and would like to make this little falcon a quicker, easier to drive daily for the wife... she would like an automatic and a little more "umph"... highway cruising would be an occasional chore too.

What could I look for in the boneyard or lying behind the mechanics shop that would be a fairly easy swap? I've assumed by reading in here that the 200ci is the best... is it a straight swap? If so, what are they in and did they come with A/T's?

Thanks in advance for any advice you could give

 

[Asa]

straight drop in
they came in pretty much any small car, best bet is a mustang after '66 or so, although you might get a 170

200 has five freeze plugs

you might find a 250, and that would actually have more power stock than a 200, but it's a bit bigger so it takes a little more planning to drop one in than a 200
it's only a few inches taller, and an inch wider

250 has four bolts on the water pump as opposed to three on the 200

good luck!

 

[S2261]

get the ffph. It will help you make the decisions to make the ride what you want. The 144 is very marginal for any type of daily driving today. A 170 or 200 will give you noticable power compared to the 144. Those are both the same physical size as the 144. The 2 speed fordo is an easy bolt in as far as automatics are concerned. It is not a great tranny by any stretch. The C4 requires some mods to make it fit.

 

[Hot 6t Falcon]

Guiseart,

S-22 and Evan have told you correctly. The easiest swap is for a 200ci out of many vehicles. The most fun a guy can have is when you can find a Mustanger who has pulled a six to add a V/8. They darn near give away the six to get it out of the garage. The 200's also came in Fairlaines, later Falcons, Fairmonts, Granadas, Mavericks - and all of their Mercury cousins.

The ffph S-22 mentions is Ford Falcon Performance Handbook. Go to the link in my signature to learn more about it. We have about 3 plus pages on the 200 swap that will answer your questions pretty completely.

We also cover the 250 swap, but if this is your first shot at swapping, do the 200. A 200 will bolt right up to the bell housing and transmission that you have. If you are wantng an automatic, try to find an engine/trans still bolted together (or still in the donor car) That way you get all of the "little" pieces that can be so important. Given a choice of a nice looking car or a accident wrecked car, choose the wrecked car as a donor. The logic? The wrecked car was being driven and the engine was running. The nice looking car was dumped because of a major mechanical problem. There are exceptions to this of course. I once found a NICE Granada and almost passed on it until I looked at the front disk brakes and realized the front wheels wouldn't turn because the brakes were COMPLETELY shot.

Good luck with your quest

 

[Anonymous]

200 / C4 is a great set-up. With your existing rear end you will still pull some high rpm's on the hi-way but the 200 will handle them a lot better than the little 4 bearing engine. Red light to redlight will surprise you as the C-4 has good low end pulling power and the rear end behind a 144/ 2.77 is usually pretty grunt orientated. When you get the set-up, try to get things like Driveshaft and crossmember--you will also need a radiator for an automatic also, but save the pulleys and oil pan from your 144 as they may come in real handy. mY 62 HAS A '78 200 IN IT AND I USED THE PULLEYS AND GENERATOR AND WATER PUMP FROM MY 144 SO THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO LAY OUT AS MUCH MONEY FROM THE GET go-AND THERE ARE SOME CLEARENCE ISSUES WITH THE LATER 200 (oops who pushed the --cap-lock--)to the early radiator.
ffph is the best <$20 you will spend.

 

[Anonymous]

awesome information - tyvm
I will keep you informed

Would grabbing the steering column from donor car/tranny be adviseable too? And pedal setup? See, I ain't as think as you dumb I are

 

[Anonymous]

Oh My God...!!! Just clicked on your link to the manual - I HAVE IT! It came in the front seat of the Falcon when I bought it!!! Great! An honor to meet you sir! My father said he might recognize your names, he dragged in the late 50's early 60's... great manual. That's where I got the idea of the 200ci swap, just wanted suggestions on where I might find one.

Thanks a ton ! (just saved myself $20)