Expert: Brad Sears - 9/28/2010

Question
QUESTION: what v-8 engine can i install in place of a 223 cubic inch 6 cylinder without doing any cutting or welding? i also will swap the transmission out.

ANSWER: Well you should be able to drop in up to the 390 cubic inch 401 horsepower engine. The 1961 Ford Fairlane was the plain Jane version of the full sized Galaxie platform. In 1962 the Fairlane was a separate intermediate platform. So any engine that was offered in that model year should be able to drop in without welding. In fact the 430 from the Bird and Lincoln will probably drop in. But that is not the end of the story. With the bigger engine here is a list of things that will need to be changed as well:
1. A larger radiator
2. Heavier front springs
3. The complete exhaust system.
4. The rear axle. The 6 cylinder ring and pinion set will probably not handle the higher horsepower.
5. Wheels and tires. Need larger size for the added weight.
6. If the car is not equipped with power steering you will probably need it with the added weight of the bigger engine.
7. You will probably want a bigger battery to turn over the bigger V-8.
Good luck, Brad

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: THANKS FOR THE QUICK RESPONSE TO MY QUESTION. WILL A 302 OR A 351 CUBIC INCH ENGINE FIX  WITHOUT CUTTING OR WELDING? I GREW UP WORKING ON CARS,BUT SINCE GOING TOTALLY BLIND FIVE YEARS AGO, THEY ARE A LITTLE HARDER TO WORK ON.

Answer
According to my research the 302 engine was a later engine as the small V-8 in the 61 Fairlane was a 292. It also said that the 351 was not offered in the 61 series car. As such I have no information as to whether either of these engines will drop in with no modification. The 292 and the 332 and the 352 as well as the 390 should drop in.