Swapping a ‘66 200 i6 for a tired ‘68 170

[JRStew]

Hey Guys - Any comments on this contemplated swap will be much appreciated. I want to improve power and highway drivability of my stock ‘68 U15 - in part with new intake manifold.

Key question is: Will a later model 200 i6 head (‘75 or later maybe?) fit a ‘66 i6 block so I can get rid of the the original intake log? I don’t know when Classic Inlines will have their new head plus it’s very pricey. Thanks

 

[Bronco-Brian]

If available, I recommend swap the entire engine to 200. I'm running one now that is much improved over the 170 performance, and still looks very much the same powerplant.

 

[bmbm]

200 swap

As stated swap in the 200 complete. Get a copy of the Falcon Performance Handbook for further help.

 

[JRStew]

Thanks guys. I do have a complete 200 lined up to swap and the Falcon Performance Handbook. I take it all 144-250 inline sixes have the integrated head and intake casting. New Vintage Inlines heads appear not available. Any other options for an upgrade from the log intake? Brian - I see you're in LO. I'm off 26 in Bethany.

 

[bmbm]

The alternative to CI aluminum head is the Australian head but hard to find.
A modified late model log head can flow pretty well for power but highway driveability can only be fixed with an od trans or different axle ratios.

 

[Pa PITT]

jrstew I don't believe your correct on that statement.. I don't think the 250 fits in that group .
... I owned my parts stores when all the motors where new .
1967 up until 1995. .
... I've had a 144 Falcon. We pulled it & put in a 200CID IN IT . Wow what a great swap.
It was like pulling a 283 chevy & Installing a 327. Done that too.
..........
...... My running Buddy bought his 66 Bronco & it had a 170cid in it But It came with a 200 CID in the back end . So when we got it home .. We took that 200 cid to a friends machine shop & ask .. Fix it. We did a little stuff to his Bronco over the next couple of months . & Drove the old 170 around . Tuned it up . It seemed to be a bigger turd than I remembered. But we got bearing packed & NEW BRAKES all around . We were about ready to go hunting . & Our machinist Buddy calls & says com get it . SO WE DID .
WE TOOK A WEEKEND to install it . The install couldn't have gone better .
We got it in & a new clutch .. All new hoses really anything on the motor we put on new. Cranked it up & We got a good scald on this one. We drove it about 2 weeks & took it hunting .
...... I later found a 250 cid & robbed the carb & Power Steering pump from A 1975 MAVERICK .
i'VE DRIVEN ALL BUT THE 250 but every one on here said there was a lot to make the 250 fit . So the next swap Buddy went to a 302. Now he's on his 2nd 5.0L.

 

[JRStew]

bmbm - Good news: My machinist found a good 77 head here in Portland; he'll hog that out for a Weber 38. Now it's on to headers and distributor.

PaPITT - Great story. Thanks. I'm looking forward to passing folks driving up highway inclines.

 

[hucklburry rev2]

I just installed a crossflow 250 in a 66 Bronco, and went with the 38 DGMS (manual choke) - I got it from Piece Manifolds, good tech support guy and one of the best prices I found. The 38 might be a bit much for the log head 200, maybe not, I don't know, maybe the 32/36 would be a better match?

Either way, I recommend just getting a rebuild kit and the jet kit when you get it, unless you have a good stocking weber place nearby, no one carries the various parts.

I do like this 38, I got a lokar throttle cable and fabbed a little bracket to make it all work, using ball ends on the throttle cable to carb attachment.

 

[bmbm]

Yeah the 77 is a good one to get if you can.

 

[markw]

Hucklburry how was the swap to the 250? That's one of my next projects. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!


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[hucklburry rev2]

Hucklburry how was the swap to the 250? That's one of my next projects. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!


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I put in a 250 from Australia with a crossflow aluminum head, its not as tall as a US 250. I had different problems, like bellhousing to transmission, I swapped to a hydraulic clutch, etc etc - but I am glad I kept it a six, a column shift, and a bigger six.

 

[markw]

That must've been hard to find that motor.


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[bmbm]

I believe that is a first. Pretty awesome! Hope it goes good.