Ford Repair: 1979 Engine Swap: 300ci, couple weekends, 1979 ford f150

Question
Hello Steve,
Thank God I found this site. I am stuck, really stuck. I have a 1979 Ford F150 4X4. I have had the body restored and it looks great. Now I'm going to start on the Engine and interior. I don't know where to start or what I want to do, but that's besides the point. I would like to swap the Engine in my truck for a V8, (it has a 300ci Straight 6 in it now, I think it's the original engine). I don't know what my options are. I mean I guess I can put anything in it. I'm not a bad Back yard Mechanic, but the trany is good and I don't want to have to fool around with it. I would like to just bolt something in. Maybe even up-grade to something newer in the Engine area, so I can take advantage of the technology available.Can you please make a recommondation for an Egine swap or up-grade.

Any help would be great.
Thank you,
John.

PS: If you have any idea on customizing the 1979 please let me know. I'm very open to new idea's and help when offered.

Answer
John-

  I wish it were that easy to convert a 300 inline 6 to a V8.  You'll most likely have to swap out the front suspension (or at least the engine brace) for a V8 piece along with all of the associated wiring and whatnot.  Having a 4X4 doesn't make it any easier.  If you're really set on the idea, I'd suggest finding a '79 F150 4X4 that already has a 302 and using it as a parts car for whatever you need to swap over.  There's really no way to make this a "bolt in" sort of task, but I'd say with a couple weekends worth of work you could have it up and running without a lot of fuss.  Hope this helps.

Steve