78 dent frame conversion

Engine, ignition, fuel, cooling, exhaust

Moderators: Ranchero50, DuckRyder

Post Reply
User avatar
drytoast
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 274
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:08 am
Location: Troy Pa

78 dent frame conversion

Post by drytoast »

I found a 78 dentside frame with everything except the body,motor and trans today that came from down south in really nice condition. It has disc front brakes and the guy will sell it to me for $150-$200. The 78 truck has a 300-6 with an automatic trans in it.(I forgot to look to see what transmission it was) Can anybody tell me what I need to do to convert it to my 72 302 with a C4. Is it just engine mounts I need to switch or is it more than that?
Life is hard; its harder if your STUPID. John Wayne

1972 Ford F-100 Explorer 302 C4 automatic
2005 Chrysler T&C Limited
1996 Honda Accord LX 238,000 miles and counting
fordman
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 22329
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:17 pm
Location: Kansas, Ottawa
Contact:

Re: 78 dent frame conversion

Post by fordman »

yes just the engine perches for a smallblock. and then to put a bed on it you would need to make some brackets to bolt the bed on with.
mljjones67
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1341
Joined: Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:41 pm
Location: Utah, Springville
Contact:

Re: 78 dent frame conversion

Post by mljjones67 »

I think you can take all your stuff of the 72 and put it on the 78. The only problem you will have is the bed mounting in different locations.
User avatar
drytoast
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 274
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:08 am
Location: Troy Pa

Re: 78 dent frame conversion

Post by drytoast »

fordman wrote:yes just the engine perches for a smallblock. and then to put a bed on it you would need to make some brackets to bolt the bed on with.
Sooo what your telling me I can take my motor and motor mounts on my 302 and it is a direct bolt on to the engine perches on the 1978 300-6? :?
Life is hard; its harder if your STUPID. John Wayne

1972 Ford F-100 Explorer 302 C4 automatic
2005 Chrysler T&C Limited
1996 Honda Accord LX 238,000 miles and counting
mljjones67
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1341
Joined: Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:41 pm
Location: Utah, Springville
Contact:

Re: 78 dent frame conversion

Post by mljjones67 »

I think you have to move the mounts either forward or backwards if I remember right. The holes might already be there too. Some body will jump in with the correct info.
FordTruck
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1160
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:47 pm
Location: The GREAT State Of Missouri
Contact:

Re: 78 dent frame conversion

Post by FordTruck »

mljjones67 wrote:I think you have to move the mounts either forward or backwards if I remember right. The holes might already be there too. Some body will jump in with the correct info.
Correct me if I'm wrong but,I think its backwards because my F250 had a 302 C4 combo in it before i bought it and to put my 300 C6 combo I had to move the stands forward. On our bumps they are already there. Maby this will help http://www.fordification.com/enginestands.htm
"Flyin High On Caffine And Copenhagen" R.I.P Chris LeDoux

60 Mercury Comet
65 Ford Econoline
72 Ford F100 on 79 4x4 SWB frame
77 Ford F250 "lowboy" 4x4
09 Harley Xl1200c
fordman
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 22329
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:17 pm
Location: Kansas, Ottawa
Contact:

Re: 78 dent frame conversion

Post by fordman »

oh no i was thinking the 302 wasinthe 78. i'm sorry. you will need the small block perches for the 302. the 78 6 cyl perches are a one of a kind for the 78 6 cyl.
User avatar
drytoast
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 274
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:08 am
Location: Troy Pa

Re: 78 dent frame conversion

Post by drytoast »

So I can use the 302 perches from my original 72 frame and bolt them to the 78 300-6 frame?
Life is hard; its harder if your STUPID. John Wayne

1972 Ford F-100 Explorer 302 C4 automatic
2005 Chrysler T&C Limited
1996 Honda Accord LX 238,000 miles and counting
fordman
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 22329
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:17 pm
Location: Kansas, Ottawa
Contact:

Re: 78 dent frame conversion

Post by fordman »

yes the small block moutns fit from 65-79 frames.
User avatar
drytoast
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 274
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:08 am
Location: Troy Pa

Re: 78 dent frame conversion

Post by drytoast »

Thanks fordman.
Life is hard; its harder if your STUPID. John Wayne

1972 Ford F-100 Explorer 302 C4 automatic
2005 Chrysler T&C Limited
1996 Honda Accord LX 238,000 miles and counting
Post Reply