Slamdit

Hey guys, new user here. I am through and through a Chevy guy but I have always loved the 70's Ford trucks. After stumbling into a solid 79 I decided to give it a chance.
I love the truck, it's a 4x4 longbed with the 4 speed manual trans. It has the 351M in it which is burning oil by the quart and knockin like crazy.
I am looking at what it would take to put a windsor in it as all my ford buddies say it is very reliable motor. This truck is primarily a driver. I have a jeep to offroad in and a newer Suburban to tow. This truck is mainly to get me to work and back and get on the highway if I need to. I am planning on slowly restoring it and getting it back to it's prime.
A friend of mine has a 77 T bird with 44000 miles on it. It was a show car that sat in pristine condition until the building it was in collapsed and crushed the back end of the car. I can get this motor for almost no money and want to put it in my truck.

This brings me to my main question.... How involved is this swap? I have had people tell me that I just need to swap the bell housing on the trans and figure out motor mounts and it will drop in. Is it really that simple?
My thoughts were to find a 4x4 that had a 300 or 302 and use parts off it but I am not sure.
The most frustrating part is just not knowing my Fords. I have a 4 speed manual trans but don't know what model trans it is or what bell housing would work with it. I know the basic differences in the W and M but just don't have the knowledge of what will swap with what and how.
Any help or/and info on this swap would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to get into a project that is more intense than everyone makes it seem. I have enough time consuming projects going on in my shop now that aren't my daily drivers.
I know I can put another M in it but this Windsor was always taken great care of and is in perfect shape. I looked into the 460 but it seems like alot of time will be spent chasing parts to get everything in and working.

thanx again,

Sean

Slamdit

So I take it no one has tried this? am I gonna b the first? I am concerned that no one has replied. I thought sure someone would have something to say about it.-Sean

AZFX4

Give it a few days. I'm sure someone knows some info to help you out.

kookookachew

Are you sure the T-bird has a windsor in it? I looked at a 77 T-bird once and that had the 351M in it. I'm not sure if they offered both motors at the same time.

As for the swap the motor should just drop in the truck with different motor mounts, not sure about the transmission though.

mitchalvin

You will need the windsor bellhousing to make the switch. The mounts on the frame are bolt on and can be changed to the proper ones fairly easily. The motor mounts are the same from two or four wheel drives, you just need the ones for the 302 or 351W.

Slamdit

Ok that is my biggest concern, mounting the motor to the trans. So I need a Windsor bellhousing for a manual trans. Does it need to be off of a 4 speed trans or will one of a 5 speed work also?
Also, do you know what I am gonna run into with the flywheel and clutch?
I am guessing that with the windsor bellhousing I will be able to use the clutch in thats currently behind the mod. Will the t bird flywheel work or do I need to find one off a truck with a manual trans?

Sorry for all the questions, I am an over-the-road trucker and only home on weekends. My goal is to get all the parts I need before I start swapping and get it all done and running in one weekend.
I really appreciate the answers to my questions, I was hoping I wouldnt have to resort to just putting a chevy drivetrain in it instead.

-Sean

Slamdit

Yup, she's got the Windsor. In 77 both the w and m were available. I dunno how you Ford guys keep it all straight. Seems as though Ford had no rhyme or reason when it came to motor options.

mitchalvin

The small block bell housings are fairly common, They are behind the 351W, 302, 289, and 300 I6. You will need the clutch flywheel for the engine you are putting in, the linkage will be the same. For the bell housing it must be for the same transmission that you have ie NP435, BW T18, BW T19. I believe that the 5 speeds have a integral bellhousing, meaning that the bell housing is not removable from the transmission.

Slamdit

Thanx for all the help guys. You have given me the info I need to feel confident about this project. Now I get to start gathing parts. Does anyone know what trans I have or how to tell?

Thanx,

Sean

FOMOCO466

When I bought my 78 it have the 300 I-6 and an Auto I took it out and installed the 351W Had to move the motor stands and run new exhaust, and the radiator has the hoses on the wrong sides but other than that it's a easy swap. un bolt the engine stands, move them and go with it. I have the clutch z-bar and the bushings from another swap if your intersted. I'll make you a deal on them.
PM me