keep my 6 or swap in a 8

[edhd58]

I have just been offered, by a very good friend of a friend, a flathead V8 that has been rebuilt. Think he said it is a 1950, but was heard run by my very good friend, who said it purred like a kitten.
My 226G was recently gone through, but is not perfect. It has a hone and reassemble job because I could not get 60 over pistons and rings at the time. This G also has other parts getting hard to find and some that are no longer available.
If I do the swap I am also looking at throwing a T5 behind it and adding A/C for the Mrs.
I am assuming I have to do an open drive like conversion.

Because the friend of my friend really likes my friend I will be getting the motor stupid cheap. I know the guy too and he seems like a good person that will tell you how things are and not tell you anything that isnt right. Thats what my friend says too, that he knows he will do right by me.
Would you do the swap, am I nuts for even asking the question?
I figure I need to pull the pan and heads to see its insides. What am i looking at spending to do the engine / trans swap? should I keep my 3 speed?

Thoughts?? Opinions??

[Ken/Alabama]

I would keep the six. To do the swap there are gonna be wiring issues to be addressed and change the radiator . Lot of work for hardly any gain. Just my opinion.

[RalphG]

I guess its all personal preference. For me any old Ford has to have a flathead V8 or else I'd just as soon drive another make if its just a six. . Its all about the sound of a flathead V8 for me.

[skidmarks]

Keep the six

[texas webb]

Or you could get the flathead and save till needed.Also something might come up to put it in.

[flatheadmurre]

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Swapping in a v8 takes more then just the engine.
Wireloom aint the same...neither is linkage for throttle...radiator and tin around it...battery cables and placement of solenoid sometimes.
I like the six runs smooth with good power.

[Marv]

I have found that the 6 is more dependable. No overheating, no cracked blocks, run just as fast and just as much power when both are built stock.

[chap52]

I would get a good engine run stand and "garage the V8 for future use as texas webb said.
Saying "engine and tranny swap" is always a lot harder and more expensive than you think.
Again, it's YOUR project and your wallet so if you have the desire t o do it "just cuz", enjoy the adventure and post lots of pictures, Chap

[rotorwrench]

If you do a search, There is a lot of info about T-5 with torque tube drive mods so that is do-able. It's a lot of work and a lot of parts changing. Just getting all the parts together would take a while. An 8BA would fit in there but you'll need truck pumps, a pan, & bell housing that works.

[19Fordy]

Replacing the 6 with an 8BA is not worth the time,effort,frustration and money.
Yes, it will fit, but other issues, like cooling, make it difficult and expensive.

[4dFord/SC]

IMHO, "stupid cheap" doesn't make it a good deal, if you don't really need it.

[B-O-B]

Did you ever hear about the dog with a bone in his mouth that looked into a pond & saw another dog with a bone.? Bigger isn't necessarily better.

[philipswanson]

What is a 226G? What are we working on?

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by philipswanson

What is a 226G? What are we working on?

G series six is the first series 41-47 .

[edhd58]

Originally Posted by B-O-B

Did you ever hear about the dog with a bone in his mouth that looked into a pond & saw another dog with a bone ? Bigger isn't necessarily better.

Bob, swapping in an 8 wont be bigger horses, I have just over 90 now, just more cylinders.
It will however give me an engine that all parts are readily available. The G six has several parts that are no longer manufactured.
I am looking into options in case this one goes down again, I don't see me trying to rebuild it again.
The 8 is just something that has presented itself and before this dog jumps into the pond to get that other bone I want to find out from guys with much more knowledge than me what I could be getting myself in to.
So far it is sounding like more trouble than it's worth.
I ask because if it is too much trouble, and the G 226 goes south, I will put in an H 226. All parts are readily available for it.

[4t8v8]

My F1 had a 6 in it when I got it. Swapped in a V8 and T5. V8 radiator, throttle linkage, air dam at the front of the hood and the wiring was simple. What a difference! It all depends on what you want.

[edhd58]

Originally Posted by 4t8v8

My F1 had a 6 in it when I got it. Swapped in a V8 and T5. V8 radiator, throttle linkage, air dam at the front of the hood and the wiring was simple. What a difference! It all depends on what you want.

ballpark idea on what it cost??

[mfirth]

Well, here's my 2 cents; had a 1950 six as a kid and it ran as good as most 8's. I drove it hard & it never overheated and was VERY dependable.
Never vapor locked either......my vote, keep the 6. mike

[leon bee]

My vote is: This stuff is just my hobby and my therapy. Within reason, I try to do just whatever I want. If I was to put that V8 in there then I'd know myself how involved it is. Of course that might be knowledge gained that I'd never need again. At any rate, it'd keep me busy and out of trouble.

[meric42]

I vote to keep the six.

It has been my experience that many of the G-series parts are out there, and they are usually cheaper than the V8 equivalent. I still have a lot of NOS parts that I bought many years ago. Yes some parts are harder to find than others but they do turn up. Joblot had a large inventory of military surplus G-series parts and they must have sold them to someone when they closed. I installed a G-series in my '42 Ford Staff Car when I restored it 22 years ago and it's still running strong today.