Am I Crazy? Lincoln Drive Train Swap

[CountKrunk]

Hello All,

I stumbled upon this on FB. (<<Link)

It's right down the road from me. My plan is to remove it from the car then have the scrapper come get the car.

I'm thinking I could use the engine and mate it to a E4OD trans and use that in my truck.

Am I dumb or is this a viable swap?

Obvsiously it's a Ford but turn your Ford haters and let me know if fitting it all into my truck would be too difficult.

My Truck

1984 C20 3+3 with a 350 v8 and heavy duty turbo trans, 3 speed. 4.10 rear axle. 2wd.

The engine bay has a TON of empty space.

The Lincoln:

1978 Mark V with 460 v8. Per the ad starts up as is with a jump.

Thanks!

 

[CountKrunk]

Per the Oracle that knows all yet nothing.

ENGINE MOUNTING & FITMENT​

• Universal Big Block Ford Engine Mounts
    e.g., Trans-Dapt 4536 or Speedway Universal Ford BB Mounts
• Fabrication material for frame-side brackets (if needed)
    e.g., 3/16" steel plate, gussets
• Rear-sump oil pan kit (if needed)
    e.g., Canton 15-820 or truck-style Ford pan
• Compatible oil pump and pickup
    e.g., Melling M-83 pump + rear-sump pickup

---

TRANSMISSION SYSTEM (Choose One Option)​

Option 1: Use Ford C6​

• Ford C6 Transmission (from 460 truck or van)
• Custom or universal transmission crossmember
    e.g., G Force universal C6 mount
• Driveshaft modification (shorten/lengthen as needed)
    + New U-joints if applicable

Option 2: Keep GM TH400​

• Adapter plate (Ford 460 to GM trans)
    e.g., JW Ultra Bell or Trans-Dapt
• Custom flexplate (Ford to GM torque converter bolt pattern)
    e.g., TCI 529618
• Converter spacing kit or adapter bolts

---

EXHAUST​

• Ford 460 shorty or mid-length headers
    e.g., Hedman 88600
• Exhaust system (fabricate or kit)
    e.g., 2.5” dual universal exhaust kit
• Heat wrap or shielding (optional)

---

IGNITION / WIRING​

• Duraspark II ignition module
• Ford ignition coil
• Ballast resistor (if required)
• Ignition wiring: IGN hot, coil (+), coil (–), ground, distributor
• Alternator (Ford or GM 3-wire)
• Starter wiring (may require Ford remote solenoid setup)

---

COOLING SYSTEM​

• Aluminum radiator (big block spec, check fit)
    e.g., Champion EC369 or Griffin 1-25201-X
• Upper/lower radiator hoses (custom or universal flex hoses)
• Electric fan kit (dual 12” recommended)
    e.g., Derale 16927
• Thermostat fan controller
    e.g., Dakota Digital PAC-2750 or Derale 16749

---

FUEL SYSTEM​

• Ford 460 mechanical fuel pump
• Inline fuel filter
• Fuel hose (rubber or steel braided with clamps)

---

THROTTLE & KICKDOWN​

• Lokar throttle cable kit for carbureted Ford
• Lokar kickdown cable for Ford C6 or TH400 TV cable adapter
• Custom throttle bracket (if needed)

---

GAUGES & SENSORS​

• GM-compatible oil pressure sender (1/8” NPT into block)
• GM-compatible coolant temp sender (in head or intake)
• Optional: aftermarket gauge kit (if redoing all gauges)

---

 

[Ricko1966]

It would take some work,me personally I'd look for a 454 chevy. But if you want to do it,here are the things to think about,motor mounts are Completly different,I do think you could us Ford engine side mounts Ford engine mount biscuits and fab frame mounts to match. You will need to look at the oil pan configuration and if the sump is not in the right place,you need to see if any ford 460s have the sump in the right place,other wise you are making or modding an oil pan or making or modding the crossmember. You'll need to make or mod a transmission cross member and drive shaft. Also need to adapt Chevrolet engine Accessories to Ford engine,or wire and plumb ford accessories to a your truck. I'm sure I've forgotten things like you'll need to look and see if the ford exhaust manifolds will clear your frame,your steering shaft,and your evaporator box. Lots of things to look at,check and consider. If I was going Big block other than Chevy I'd be looking at other GM big blocks lots less fab work,and things to think about. And Olds Big Block is a bolt in.

 

[CountKrunk]

Juice prob not worth the squeeze. Just very cheap to get the engine is what caught my eye.

Thanks @Ricko1966 .

Prior to this idea I've had my eyes long term on an LS swap.

 

[Frankenchevy]

In the end you will almost certainly spend much more money and have significantly less hair on your head versus doing a BBC. Not to mention aftermarket support for BBCs is better than BBFs.

 

[Turbo4whl]

My 2 cents, ypu will see lots of Fords swapped with Chevy power. You will be hard pressed to find Chevy's running Ford power. Must be a reason. That said, you do you, go for it. Will be different!

 

[Grit dog]

Dude, nobody wants a greasy 192hp when it left the factory big block.
No one even considers the above mentioned swap that requires major work and the resulting embarrassment and inability to open the hood around anyone but electricians and Ford guys!

 

[bucket]

I'll be honest, if I came across some dude that opened the hood on his Chevy pickup and revealed a smog era Ford 460 sitting there, they would have my respect. I'd also call them a crazy a$$ sumbitch, but they would have my respect, lol.

 

[77Dmax]

A 78 460 is a smogged turd that is probably about 200 hp. There are better candidates out there.