I've got a 83' f150 with the inline 300 6.
It's going to be my first ground up build!!!! YA!!
I just want to get some good ideas to make this little motor mean as hell and where going down the highway I can keep the RMP's is the sweet spot. Also where typically does on of these engines red line.
I have the granny 4 speed tranny with a 208 transfer case.
Thanks so much for any info.

 

You are in one of two right places to start reading, taking notes, planning the build and executing. The other place is here: FORDSIX PERFORMANCE - Index page

Good luck!

 

I appreciate everything I can get

 

a dead stock 300 can be safely revved to 4600 - 4700 rpm. even over-revving past that point will merely cause the engine to enter valve float with an attendant drastic loss in power. but just because it will rev to 4600 doesn't mean you will get much useful torque out of the engine at that speed.
3500 seems to be where most users are comfortable shifting.

 

Thank you very much.
Yeah at the moment it really seems to like it around 1800/2200 Rpm's, but that's only about 45 to 55 mph. I'd like to be able to run those Rpm's while being able to go down the road at freeway speeds.
I've heard people saying that a zf5 transmission goes really nice with the 4.9l ,I like my granny 4 speed Borg Warner but it was worrying me that I was reving it to high.

 

1986 F150 with 4.9L, 4 speed manual O.D. transmission, 3.08 rear gears and 215/75 X 15 tires... 2000 RPMs = 70 mph.

 

Holy crow brother!! Lol! It your 86 a 4x4? How about any engine mods? I'm trying to figure out myself the first thing I want to.... Well I'm getting rid of the fan and putting in a electric set up, but then ???? Lol

 

It is 2 wheel drive. The engine is stock with Duraspark retrofit. These engines have maximum torque @ something like 1600 RPMs, so pull nicely in the 1500-2500 RPM range.