restoring exhaust

Morning, getting close to pulling the Merc. 312 out of my 55 for some resto work (both the motor and the truck), and I wanted a few opinions:
1) should I keep the 312, or update to a 302 ?
2) In the pics, you can see that the exhaust is showing signs of rust; what method would be best; blast and ceramic coat, or use a different setup ?
3) Not a question, just a disclaimer, the wiring was NOT done by me. It is getting all new.
4) With the motor out, should I go ahead and put in power or rack and pinion steering ?
Look forward to comments, suggestions, and probably a little mockery (for the current condition).

Matt

For your exhaust manifolds check my review of the Calyx Manifold Dressing

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...threadid=11093

Nice project!

Also, speaking of motors, a fella in our Street rod club has a panel truck of similar vintage to yours. He grafted the entire front frame from a later model Crown Victoria, including the fuel injected 302, into his. Doing this he ended up with a modern front suspension plus the modern motor and transmission. It was a major project, but it sure came out sweet. A major project, but something to think about.

Pat

If you want to keep it all Ford, I believe I'd go with a 302 or even a 390. You should have plenty of room in that engine bay, but you'll have to fabricate new motor mounts, tranny mount and probably driveshaft. Ford does not interchange very well between different engines and trannys so I would try to find a donor car that had the driveline intact.

I would go with a 390 or a 428 because they should just bolt in. I believe the blocks are the same.

Try this for rust removal on parts:http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

hi Matt i had a 51 F1 that i put a 77 ltd clip[rearsteer] under and had lots of room under the hood for a 429. it must have caused some talk cause once even a cop was asking me if the truck really had a bigblock in it , and if it ran pretty good. i could go 80 with 1 finger on the steering wheel, first timers luck maybe. but gas waz cheeper 16 yrs ago. i have a 49 F1 now and i think it will get a 302 or maybe a granada 6 as i get there. besides u could sell that 312 to some rat rodder for good money. Ives Bradley rdhotfrd

Thanks for the input, Ives. I like the idea of the LTD; seen a lot of How To's with new components, but I am a junkyard crawler at heart. I'll keep my eyes open. Any idea what a 312 with 65k miles is worth ?
Matt

www.34k.com