Installing small block V-8 in Scout

[harold dawley]

I am considering putting a V-8 in my scout. I certainly understand the value of keeping the scout original and will keep the block, crank, and head of the original motor, the only parts I could salvage from it. My Hercules was fused together with rust plus the radiator needs to be replaced. I will mainly use my scout in parades and like the idea of a later model engine. Since I have a chevy single axle dump truck with a good 350 and 4 speed plus good radiator that I was going to scrap, I am considering using its motor/trans/radiator instead in my scout. I realize the radiaor may not work, I have to check that out before making my decision. I’ve seen several scouts offered for sale with a V-8 and realize they are less valued than those with Hercules engine. Does anyone have experience putting a V-8 in their scout? Any thoughts?

[clintm20]

When I first started playing with scout cars I had one with no motor. I put a 300 ci Ford Straight six in it and it worked very well. The shifter for the 4 speed ford tranny came up in the original floorboard shifter hole. Hardest part is the linkage for the clutch. Can't remember what kind of radiator I used but it came from a junkyard and I used an electric fan. The motor and tranny combo came out of an econoline van iirc. It would do 55 no problem with power to spare. Painted the motor od and it didn't look too bad. I rented it to a movie called Rhodes Raiders or something like that at one point. Had a lot of fun with it.