Just bought a 250

[StarDiero75]

Howdy Guys!!

So I'm on my way home from work and I spy a basket case of a 63 Falcon 2dr for sale in a car lot. Apparently the owner bought it to salvage some parts for his 63 4dr. Anyhow, he wants $250 for the whole car, it looks like about $250 too much. But he lets me check under the hood and there it is... i thought it was a low mount 200 so I get some cash, get the Ranchero. $50 for the motor and its not seized. Finally I realize it has 4 bolts for water pump and they didn't make a low mount starter for 78. But it looks all there and all original! So here's the thing, is this worth trying to put into my Ranchero or find another car to put it in? I have a draw through turbo setup I'd kinda like to put on it. Is this crazy talk or am I on to something?


Talk to me,
Ryan

 

[powerband]

Congratulations , another 'Small Block Six - Anvil ready for work , use Draw-Thru , NA or whatever means to Hammer the power out ...

have fun

Ford 250 - the Stroker - Small Block Six

-------- 200 ---- ---- 250 ------

 

[powerband]

I have a draw through turbo setup I'd kinda like to put on it. Is this crazy talk?

Yes, leading to crazy work ...

.

Have Crazy Fun

 

[chad]

"...Is this crazy talk?..."
no, but don't U want it (turbo) ona revie lill 200
rather than a stroked 250 (tq mo`chine)? Hi RPM...
Goin to da track? DD? haulin weight? I thought U were inta
some suspension/break mods fora 'canyon carver"? As ALL Ways
the answer is in the APPLICATION sought. The vehicle (an entire
SYSTEM) has components (optimally chosen) that wrk Together
toward that end. Develop a plan, do the research, wrk the plan to
completion (no changes).

 

[bubba22349]

Congrats that's an excellent score getting the 1978 250 for $50 that's a real deal for sure plus it has the large log head, large Carter Carb, and DSII. It looks compleate and close to being in runnable condistion, yes not crazy at all if want to Turbo it than go for it.

 

[Econoline]

Nice score. The 250 opens up a whole new world of direct bolt on transmission options.

I've got to agree with Chad on this one. The 200 seems like the better candidate for a turbo. The problem is you've got a fresh 9:1 or whatever 200 and a 250 full of dreams.

 

[StarDiero75]

You all pose a very valid point. I would like to put the turbo on the 200... but i just redid the rings @.010", running 9.2:1 compression, and spent a bunch of money for my exhaust in the Ranchero. Personally I'd like to find a Falcon, take my setup and put it in that, then put the 250 in the Ranchero for hauling. If i didn't have all that going for my 200, I'd have already put a turbo on it by now! Haha.

What is wrong with turboing the 250? If I use a smaller turbo to spool faster down lower, what would be the prob? Max i usually rev my 200 is 4500. Usually 4000. Thats about the max you'd want to turn a 250 right? I feel like it would make it into a complete torque monster and light the tires effortlessly.

 

[bubba22349]

Personally I'd like to find a Falcon, take my setup and put it in that, then put the 250 in the Ranchero for hauling. If i didn't have all that going for my 200, I'd have already put a turbo on it by now! Haha.

Well you did find one all ready! That 1962 is one of the lightest Falcon's (in a Tudor or Fordor Sedan body) so it would be a good candidate for a performance 200 Turbo Six. Right on that 250's great torque in your Ranchero would also be excellent for hauling. Good luck.

 

[bmbm40]

Good buy on that 250!
Maybe fire it up first? I have seen engine stands built from angle iron and stuff to test run an engine. I like that idea of a small turbo on a 250.

 

[powerband]

good luck with your 250, whether you utlize the whole engine or the later cyl head, DSII or Carb , it adds to your options and is ready for projects to evolve.

.. the 250 in the '61 was so much fun it evolved into a Draw-Theru 250 turbo project for it , engine wound up in a Maverick and now has forced induction with a Vortech Supercharger Blow-Thru a modified 2Bbl.



What is wrong with turbo'ing the 250? If I use a smaller turbo to spool faster down lower, what would be the prob? Max i usually rev my 200 is 4500. Usually 4000. Thats about the max you'd want to turn a 250 right?

.. tractor, truck etc engines are often turbo'd and with correct turbine spool at low diesel type RPM's. Centrifugal Superchargers have their own idiosyncrasies but RPM vs Boost is easily optimized with simple Crank Pulley to Driven Pulley 'gearing'. No 'Spooling' is necessary and full boost available at any desired RPM (within reason). N.A. 250 Tri-Power in the '61 has Tach shift redline at 5500 RPM but usually stay under 5K. 8)

have fun

 

[StarDiero75]

good luck with your 250, whether you utlize the whole engine or the later cyl head, DSII or Carb , it adds to your options and is ready for projects to evolve.

.. the 250 in the '61 was so much fun it evolved into a Draw-Theru 250 turbo project for it , engine wound up in a Maverick and now has forced induction with a Vortech Supercharger Blow-Thru a modified 2Bbl.



What is wrong with turbo'ing the 250? If I use a smaller turbo to spool faster down lower, what would be the prob? Max i usually rev my 200 is 4500. Usually 4000. Thats about the max you'd want to turn a 250 right?

.. tractor, truck etc engines are often turbo'd and with correct turbine spool at low diesel type RPM's. Centrifugal Superchargers have their own idiosyncrasies but RPM vs Boost is easily optimized with simple Crank Pulley to Driven Pulley 'gearing'. No 'Spooling' is necessary and full boost available at any desired RPM (within reason). N.A. 250 Tri-Power in the '61 has Tach shift redline at 5500 RPM but usually stay under 5K. 8)

have fun

I got pretty big plans for it. I was not planning on getting a 250 but I'm very happy now that I have it. Tri power would be sick but I'm worried about messing with the head after my 200 since I've had issues making it run for awhile now. The draw through would be 8-10psi and through the original carb hole. Though tri power would be amazing. i have 2 glass bowl holleys with one more begging for the glass bowl. A supercharger would be ideal but I already have a custom turbo manifold and draw through setup I'd like to try out.

Also, how difficult was it to fit in the 61? I have a 65 which supposedly is easier. But what did you do to the mounts? What fan did you use?

Being that this is an emissions motor (1978), it should have a lower compression ratio, about 8:1 right? It looks like its never been touched. Very original motor. I feel like this means i should be able to throw a turbo at it in its current configuration, right? I just have to get a starter now to test if it actually starts anyway haha.

 

[frozenrabbit]

I would first try the mounts that came with your 250.

If you start searching for how to mount a 250 online, you'll most likely find a lot of conflicting suggestions.

Since it was in a '63, it should mount into your '65 without many issues.

You may have to massage the trans tunnel a little. Mounting into a '61 requires a lot of tunnel work, due to early years having a much smaller tunnel.

You may need to come up with an adapter to mount the trans.

 

[StarDiero75]

I would first try the mounts that came with your 250.

If you start searching for how to mount a 250 online, you'll most likely find a lot of conflicting suggestions.

Since it was in a '63, it should mount into your '65 without many issues.

You may have to massage the trans tunnel a little. Mounting into a '61 requires a lot of tunnel work, due to early years having a much smaller tunnel.

You may need to come up with an adapter to mount the trans.

Oh I'm definitely gonna try to use the mounts it came with. Supposedly they're hens teeth lol.

I do, that's why i came to the right people. Some say all they did was drop it in and use an electric fan, others had to cut the radiator support. I guess I'll found out when the time comes lol.

Thats also what I heard and read from tge handbook that the 250 will install in the 65 much easier. I wouldn't think the trans tunnel will need to be massaged as it could come with a V8 which has the same bell.

I actually already have a T5, I'd just need a bell housing right?

 

[powerband]

The 250 does not 'drop in' lke a 170/200 but is well worth the simple effort.

250 install in '61 (Comet) fits ... but with a few issues :
( most were addressed in the Schjeldahl bros' book )

1) Bell and rear of cyl. head hit Firewall, 250 is almost 2" taller overall than 200 ( Removed engine - again - and "formed" firewall further with BFH) Lowering engine may help also.

. .

2) The Radiator clearance was still very tight, uses Pusher Fan - Fox Body radiator)

.

3) Clutch Z-BAr is too long and it needs to be shortened in the middle to length of 63-65 VeeAte bar .

.

4) Simply re-drilled /modified "Early" 90degree' Motor Mounts for 3/8" wider block each side (@ 3/4" wider than 200 block overall)

('pinned' for safe limit under torque twist)
. . .

5) Two related problems - The Starter interferes with the Center Steering Link and the Link may hit pan if engine is lowered - again Kudos' to Schjeldahl Bros' flipped center link and re-reaming reverse taper in Idler and Pittman. Flipped setup worked for @ 10 years until spindle / steering upgrade.

.
(PS 'Belly BAr if used with 250 can be tilted lower for pan clearance with spacers behind fasteners)

6) Electrical Sensors, Charging system and Ignition Wiring are different. Used old Temp/Oil lites and new aftermarket guages, Alternator, and re-curved DSII dizzy and GM Module.)

Offy/Holley 3X1 setup didn't clear hood. Thanks IMPROBCAT , scrap hood and JC WHitney' Teardrop scoop with functional cutout that provided a few months fun'. 8)

. . .




have fun