What Should You Consider When Swapping Engines?
The internal combustion engine is an amazing thing, turning thousands of explosions per second into smooth, controllable power. Unfortunately, all those explosions mean that engines wear out, and sometimes the only thing you can do for your vehicle is to replace the whole engine.
What Engines Does the E-150 Take?
The Ford E-150 Econoline van sold for over half a century in various models, so naturally it had a wide range of power options over the years as dealer options changed with the decades. Most of the later models came with one of three options:
- 4.6 Liter V8: The standard 225 horsepower V8 provided more than enough power for running around town and carrying most loads.
- 5.4 Liter V8: The 255 horsepower big brother was the default engine on the E-350 and an option on the E-250 as well as the 150. This gave a little more performance for heavier jobs.
- 6.8 Liter V10: Towing takes lots of torque, and the 305 horsepower V10 option offers more than enough to pull up to 10,000 pounds if you really need it.
What Should You Consider When Swapping Econoline Engines?
While the Econoline is by no means a car, many of the same rules apply when swapping out an older engine for a new or remanufactured one:
- Vehicle Condition: One big concern is the overall mechanical condition of your vehicle. A brand new engine can easily overwhelm a heavily used transmission and trigger a cascade of failures as worn components suddenly find themselves trying to withstand more torque than they have seen in years.
- Bolt Patterns: Always make sure the bolt patterns on the new engine match those of the existing engine. Most of the later generation Econoline vans used the Triton series engines that matched up well, but older vans may require more work or even new motor mounts.
Using the Econoline
Even though it was available in passenger configurations, the Ford Econoline was never a good choice for ferrying people. A better description would be a cargo van. You could use it to deliver packages or for a tradesman to carry tools from one job to the next. This vehicle is a full size van, and it drives far more like a truck than any passenger car. Both standard features and options can be relatively sparse, too. Dont look for features like power mirrors or power locks as standard as you wont find them. You will find a radio, but thats about it. This is a working vehicle, not a luxury car, and the fittings reflect that. However, a new engine will give your old van a new lease on life as long as the other components are in good enough shape to handle it.
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