Toploader wrote:

I was wondering whether a 200cui 6 cylinder engine is capable of making 150 HP.

If there cam was mild, headers fitted, the log manifold machined to allow for a 2 barrel carb, electronic ignition, increased exhaust valves, porting and polishing would be the mods considered...

You are wondering if a 200cid engine is capable of making less than 1HP/cid?  That really isn't a tall order at all.  But that's not really the question you should be asking.  The question, given a HP number, should be what you trade in order to get 150HP.  Stock these engines put out 120-115 gross HP, so probably 90ish by net standards.  The other issue is how the rest of the car is set up.  What's your rear gear?  What trans are you running?  The I6 engine was designed to be cheap, reliable, and make decent low end torque.  It did that by making max power at something like 3,800RPM.  HP being the result of simple math that takes RPM and torque into account the simplest way to make more power is to spin the engine higher.  The issue is that the modifications that will allow the engine to make power at higher RPM are also going to cost you low end torque.  This can be worked around by running a numerically higher rear gear ratio, and that can be worked around for highway cruising by running an overdrive trans.  

On the engine side, from what I've read the biggest issue with the 200 is the integral intake manifold and a pretty bad head design.  Most guys would suggest sourcing an Australian 2V head, or Vintage Inline makes an aluminum one (but its out of stock on their website at the moment).  These heads correct the deficiencies of the stock head and allow the engine to breath and make real power (200-225HP is said to be easily attainable with an engine that is still reliable and mild mannered).  

Carb wise I'd look at the Holley 390.  We ran these on Jeeps with 232s and 258s quite successfully.

I'd look at a header that was more of a shorty or mid length to avoid the big flat spot typical with long tube headers.  You don't want to lose any torque you don't absolutely have to.  

Broad strokes I know, but there are plenty of guys building these engines, and some decent articles on the web.
 

Last edited by TKOPerformance (8/11/2025 5:59 AM)

Thanks for the replies.

The engine will be in a 1962 Falcon, with a 3 speed transmission and a 3.23 ratio rear axle.

I don't want it to be on the drag strip or anything, I'm just wanting to improve on the 120 HP.

It would be great to get my hands on a 2V head, but I might have to settle with modifying the log manifold to accommodate a 2 barrel carb.

Carb wise, there used to be an adapter to put a Webber two barrel on.  I saw one of them one time at a junkyard across from the racetrack in Sauget, Illinois.  Speedway.  I passed on it.   But I get they are still out there to be found.   Also,makes a big difference is the centre exhaust ports are siameesd, a company, Clifford used to make an insert that separates them.  THAT one I did buy and put on the Springtime yellow 66 spring I had.  Made a noticeable difference. 

All that said, the coolest thing I did was my dad was into Ford Falcons.  6cyl Falcons.   We put an early 170 head on a 200 out of necessity, (meaning my dad had to work Monday). And WOW!  We must have inadvertently bumped up the compresssion because it suddenly was a beast!  And I'm not kidding.   It started smoking badly about a month or so later, and then we rebuilt it.  I always looked at that as my first lesson in "performance" .  But I never did the research to see what we inadvertently did. 

So, I'm going to say yeah, a six can be made to be quite sporty.

Last edited by Greg B (8/11/2025 9:10 AM)

Greg B wrote:

Carb wise, there used to be an adapter to put a Webber two barrel on. I saw one of them one time at a junkyard across from the racetrack in Sauget, Illinois. Speedway. I passed on it. But I get they are still out there to be found. Also,makes a big difference is the centre exhaust ports are siameesd, a company, Clifford used to make an insert that separates them. THAT one I did buy and put on the Springtime yellow 66 spring I had. Made a noticeable difference.

All that said, the coolest thing I did was my dad was into Ford Falcons. 6cyl Falcons. We put an early 170 head on a 200 out of necessity, (meaning my dad had to work Monday). And WOW! We must have inadvertently bumped up the compresssion because it suddenly was a beast! And I'm not kidding. It started smoking badly about a month or so later, and then we rebuilt it. I always looked at that as my first lesson in "performance" . But I never did the research to see what we inadvertently did.

So, I'm going to say yeah, a six can be made to be quite sporty.

Some 170s had a 48cc chamber, wheres 200s had a 51-62c chamber depending on the year.  Another possibility it why did you swap the head?  If the old one was cracked, or had a burned valve or valves you likely just restored proper compression.  Even if it was just a blown HG it would act the same way.  
 

Thanks everyone...

At this stage, the car will keep the three speed and the 3.2 rear axle. It's going to be the 7 something inch rear axle too.

My goal is to invest a modest amount of money to generate around 150hp. The head will obviously get some work done at a machine shop, where the intake manifold (log) will be machined to take a 2 barrel carb, maybe machine the head to increase the compression slightly, cam grind and port polishing. I was wondering about increasing the exhaust valves maybe, but am not sure.

I have seen a cast iron exhaust manifold for a twin exhaust system. This would have to be better than the original Ford exhaust manifold, but how much better?

With the carburetor, what size CFM would be best matched for a sporty 200? I'd prefer something like an Edelbrock or Holley. Maybe 325 CFM?

The other thing I will do is change the distributor advance to have lighter springs and fit electronic ignition. I did this on the Mustang and was very happy with the results.

Last edited by Toploader (8/12/2025 3:07 AM)

TKO - Is this the kit?

https://cliffordperformance.net/store/ols/products/ford-200-68-combination

You said it's a 1962.  Have you driven it at all?  The reason I ask is it it's still stock, then it has that tiny 2.77 three speed.  The ring with that transmission is it is non-synchronised, so you cannot shift down into 1st gear unless you are at a full stop.   Ford started using fully synchronised 3spds in 1967.  I once did this mid in my spingtime yellow coupe. 

Some other things I remember.  1967 and later blocks were redesigned, to have 7 main bearings instead of four, and also drilled with two bellhousing bolt patterns.  If your going to spend on one of these, might be something to think about.  Then you can use the larger bellhousing and clutch.

Also,that 62, should have an adjustable rocker arm shaft set up.  If it's in good shape, you want to.keep that.  I still remember cleaning one of those in a five gallon pickle bucket and diesel fuel with a brush.  Later rocker shafts have non adjustable rocker arms on the shaft.

Last edited by Greg B (8/12/2025 7:10 AM)

Don't go too MILD on that camshaft (of course 6sally6 would say that !!)
A lot of fellas are sooo afraid they will ruin the low end by going too big so they weenie out and get something mild ..too mild.
Duration and LSA is where pick up power with restrictive heads. You can slam the valves open 6 inch butt if the ports/heads are restrictive .....ya ain't gonna gain anything butt-head aches.
Look at dirt track camshafts for 6 cylinders. They hafta make power out of the corners and VERY quickly before the straight away runs out. A LOT like around town driving. Forget about RPM's in the 7's-8's.....you'll never get there.
Short LSA numbers make low end power quickly...to about 5 grand, then they are done.
So it idles snotty....so what ! You have a good first gear (using a 5 speed) to get ya going. Don't be skeered of a little rough idle...that's why you got a clutch & accelerator .
Think about lightening the flywheel too. It won't give you more power but it will give you quicker REV's.
5 speed and an 8" rear with mid to high 350 ratio  open HEADERS and lotsa smiles.
You may not go 130 mph butt your brain will react like you are !!
6sally6