I've heard all the comments about how the 4.9 is more torquey than the 5.0 but what I'm more concerned about is fuel economy. This vehicle is gonna be my daily driver so even slightly better MPG is gonna help.

 

are looking to buy a truck and trying to decide on an engine ?
i have never owned a 5.0 but i suspect the difference between the 2 in terms of mpg is not even worth considering. more important will be : transmission, rear end, and weight (1/2 or 3/4t, swb or lwb, 2wd or 4wd).

 

I've been under the impression the 300 gets better mileage around town and the 302 on the highway

My 302 gets 18-19 on the highway and 12 in town and is easily the most gutless truck I've ever driven with the second being a similarly equipped 300

 

Graph showing HP/TQ. This difference pretty much holds for all years, although the actual numbers are lower in the '70s 'til the early '90s.
The 300 six makes it's power at lower revs:

http://jastrauss.fastmail.fm/1990_p16.jpg

Fuel economy will depend more on how it's driven and where. Both engines can be OK on gas in a pickup, and both can be total gas hogs if not running right or run hard.

Total overall condition and equipment would be the guide. Better to have a creampuff six vs. a thrashed V8 and vice versa.

 

Im looking on buying a truck. I haven't looked around a whole lot yet but one of my options is a '88 f150 with 5.0L, 4x4, long bed, reg cab, AOD, 3.55 with Limited slip. I would prefer a 5-speed manual with a regular cab and 4wd. I know that the 4.9L is a good engine. My dad's was good all the way up to 400,000 miles.

 

That combo will be ok with the stock smallish tires. Add 31s or more and it's going to hunt between 3rd and 4th on level ground.

The AOD by '88 had most of the problems ironed out of it by Ford, so if it works and shifts ok with clean fluid it's probably as "safe" as any old used auto trans.

 

there is no vs.the 300 is the clear winner for a pickup engine in longevity,towing performance and fuel economy.
the 302 is a car engine and doesn't belong in a pickup truck imo.

 

300 is a truck engine, 302 really isn't. I've driven both and the 300 is no hot rod, but neither is the 302. 300 will be torquey and fun usable power, 302 has to rev to be fun. 300 will get better mileage, its only fault is that it will never have a v8 roar. Turbo mufflers make then sound decent though.

 

I have both a 92 f150 2wd SCSB 300 I6 with the M5OD running 3.08 open and 235 75 15 tires and a 88 F150 4x4 RCLB 302 with C6 3.55 (or 4.10 haven't verified yet) with 31 10.5 15 tires.


The 92 gets 2-4 mpg better then the 88 but the 92 also has 80K miles on the rebuilt engine where as the 88 has 800 miles on it.


The 92 has more torque but the 88 has more overall power granted I am turning 2500 rpm going 50mph (some slight performance parts in the 88).


The 92 does have overdrive but I have yet to need it as I would have to downshift again on the hills around my part.


Truthfully to me for the little gain in MPG I would rather drive my 88 however I hope to drive my 92 more since the 300 inline is known to last a very long time (not that I don't think my 302 won't last as long) plus the 92 doesn't have a bad transmission right now.
Trav

 

I've gotten upwards of 14mpg with my 302 around town, that is with good driving, and the 6litre tune up, which did make a noticeable difference right away in my opinion

 

I wouldn't take 300 equipped truck if it was given to me. I would take the 302 EVERY time over the 300

The 5.0 has More HP and More torque right across the board AND it has a more usable RPM range


As for fuel milage, it is all in how it is driven

 

I had a 4.9 the motor was excellent I literally tried to kill it on a few occasions and never succeeded. It had 280k on it when I had it in high school and it's still being driven by the guy I sold it to and he commutes 30 min to work daily. If you do the math that's more than most 302 motors can dream of haha

 

My 93 is @ 249000 and I'm still driving it daily. No it sure isn't fast but fast enough for me. The entire truck has been very good though. Hands down the least expensive vehicle per mile I've ever owned. Even my 50 mpg vw diesel costs more over time due to the expensive repairs.

 

i liked my 4.9 and i WORKED it for 2 1/2 years with nothing other than a basic tune-up, a rad. hose and a starter. not bad for an old engine. i like my 5.8 better, but wouldn't hesitate to buy another 4.9.

 

If you're concerned that much with the mpg you should probably just buy an old beater car.... Neither engine is going to give incredible gas mileage and both are lacking in power for any real work, 5.8 F150 for work and car for mpg....