Old school truck engine size ?

[09.0]

Looking to do the same. Just bought a hq chassis that has been rebuilt to put an early f truck body on it. Chev small block is my preference. I don't understand using a 253. They suck fuel like a v8 but are slugs.

[FourstrokeForever]

I don't understand using a 253. They suck fuel like a v8 but are slugs.

i agree %100. A 253 can be made to go pretty hard in a SMALL car like a Torana but for a small truck the lack of torque will rare it's ugly head. Best off with a 5ltr to start with as it is the same physical size as the boat anchor 253 with more mumbo.

[80-85 husky]

lots of for and against the two fitty 3 but they are a neat tidy small v8 that sounds good and can run cheap. the later blue motors with 4 barrel are terrible (except for the ign). the early two barrels ran quite economically. we had a servo years ago and looked after a fleet of fords and holdens for an a/c mob. The hq 253's in the wagons and pvans would turn in 23 - 27 mpg while the 250 fords would do 18 - 22 mpg.

the real answer here is big block crate motor, why naff about? but for a budget build, 253 is as good as any and easy to find...ive got one out the back paddock!

[jimson]

Well I've just scored a HQ chassis & started pulling the Bedford cab apart to remove it from it's chassis. I have a blue 202 engine & 4 speed box in the shed. Because I'm such a poor prick, I'll build it & run the 202 but long term when I've saved some cash I'll go either 253 or 308 V8 way. Thanks for all your input. Jimson

[80-85 husky]

give the head on the 20 some tlc and it will pull pretty good. radius off all the turns in the inlet ports so they are smooth and take out some of the boss around where the valve comes in and it will improve torque significantly. chase up a set of quality valve springs, ditch the varajet carb for a ford xe-f webber and your away.

[Mike52]

253 was a way better engine than the 308. The 308 was an extension or adaption of the 253 and with the bore to stroke ratio it had it wore out way quicker than the 253. The 253 could be made to go well with a few machining tricks.
But the 308 is a better engine for just lugging around pulling a load.
If you can find one get a Leyland P76 4.2 V8.
Run rings around both.

Do not get a Rover V8. Piece of Sh#t.

[80-85 husky]

I was keen to put one of those leylands into a clubman build but my capabilities and my dreams aligned...

[FourstrokeForever]

I've been on the lookout for a Leyland V8 for my SWB Bedford van project. They are a brilliant motor with light weight and small(ish) external dimensions. I don't know where all the V8 P76's went to, but they're hard to find with a motor still in them.

[Momus]

Cummins 6 or left field the 2.5 turbo diesel plus 5 speed auto 4 from an lload Hyundai

[FourstrokeForever]

I was thinking of going to a diesel motor.....A wrecked mid 00's Vito with all the running gear under the Beddy would be neat. But how do I get the sidepipes to sound like a V8?