Hey guys - First post but lurk here all the time. So due to a bad thermostat, my truck over heated twice and unfortunately I have a blown headgasket. Right now im running a 302. When I bought this truck I always said when something goes bad im just gonna upgrade it to something better. Rather then spend the money and get the head gasket fixed, im thinking of going the other route and dropping in a new crate motor. First question - 302 or 351? Im leaning toward the 351, but open to yalls opinions. Second - Where is the best place to go about getting a crate motor. This is my daily driver ( I also have a Jeep DD so I will be driving this until my truck is fixed ), so nothing too high performance. I was also considering a cummins swap which would be sweet but dont know if I want to spend that much money on the conversion. Im open to your opinions and looking forward to any information you guys can prove from me. Here's my truck - 95 F150 9inches of lift on 37s

 

ok first off DO NOT GO WITH A DAMN CUMMINS!!! its a FORD not a dodge if any thing drop a 7.3L idi in it and put a banks turbo on it. ifu want to upgrade go with a 351w.

thats all ima say

 

I'd change the head gasket, gaskets are cheap. That's one of the cleanest frames I've seen.

 

Really clean truck. I'm impressed. I replaced my engine at 218,000 miles with a Jasper engine. The entire engine is re-manufactured, not just a rebuild. It also comes with a warranty. I think it was 12 month/12,000 miles.

 

If you decide Diesel definitely go with a International, specifically the 7.3. You would haft to change out the tranny also more than likely though. Doing Diesel it would be cheaper to by a donor diesel truck, and scavenge all the parts off of it to run the diesel. Maybe changing the gasket would be quicker and easier.

 

Change head gaskets. About 8 hrs and about a hundred bucks, replace head gaskets. As for as the diesel, 7.3 FORD TDI "Always was the best and always will be" the best diesel. Dodge boys just put those annoying loud pipes on want people to think they are bad but deep down they wish they had a Ford Turbo Diesel.

 

Goatman - Where did you get the Jasper? How has it been holding up? Are you satisfied

 

eh I'd pull it and order a 347....

much better than a 351 and will whip the crap outta it...and the best part....it will bolt to everything you currently have....

with a 351 you will need to find a donor truck with a 351 and get all the accessory brackets for power steering and alternator and everything....

Jasper engines are OK but stock...

 

You do realize that Ford puts Cummins engines in it's trucks...

http://www.commtruck.ford.com/vehicl...owertrain.html

 

the cost of going to the 7.3 would be way too much. Not only do you have the engine and trans, you have to beef up the entire front suspension to take the load. I d ont know much about Fords, but I did own a 01 with the 7.3. I know how much bigger it is than the gas engines........

Now, Ive said it!

"eh I'd pull it and order a 347....
much better than a 351 and will whip the crap outta it...and the best part....it will bolt to everything you currently have....
with a 351 you will need to find a donor truck with a 351 and get all the accessory brackets for power steering and alternator and everything....
Jasper engines are OK but stock... "

Been thinking about this since it was posted, know where I could ge a ctare engine?