I have a 1981 F-150 Custom that's been sitting under the shed for far too long. Had to park it because I didnt have the time or the money to work on it to get it running right. It seemed like everytime I replaced a part another one would tank and the ole boy would give out on me.

I finally have the means to fix it up; but I want to do more than that and I need your help.

I'm tired of replacing and tweeking one little part after another and I want some bigger and faster muscle under the hood. Unable to find any information online about what woud I could replace it with I turnd to the best online F-150 forums I could find!

SO, what engine will fit under the hood of a 1981 F-150 Custom (8' bed) and what else (transmition, exhaust, etc) would be needed to get it back on the road?

 

With enough money and fabrication skill, you can fit just about anything you want under the hood. Speed costs money...how fast do you want to go?

On the low budget side, you can probably find a running Ford small block on Craigslist for $200-500 and swap it in. Don't forget about replacing most of your accessories and hoses either, this adds quite a bit more cost to a simple swap but will most likely pay off in terms of reliability.

Clean looking '81 by the way! I had an '86 LWB/reg cab in high school and loved it.

 

Whats in in now?? A 302 or 351 with AOD would be probable easiest. But like mentioned above, that year could use about any motor with little fab work.


And that is good looking 81....

 

It's currently got an inline 6 in it.

I'd like to pick up a brand new engine for it. Guess my next search will be for ford crate motor and drivetrain options.

I'm totally ok with just having the shell be original and replacing everything else to brand new parts. After I get it running like a brand new truck I plan to overhaul the interior too.

 

302 or 351 most likely be the easiest swap. Specially if you go with carburated motor. Be little bit more involved going fuel injected, but would be nice. Pic up a 93 mustang harness and computer and run AOD. The 93 can be used as stand alone harness since it has the fuel pump relay on it, and on a separate one like the older hanress.