7 Best Ford Truck Engines Ever Made
By Brett Foote

 

I just read the article. While I agree with all of their choices except for the 5.4 Triton, I would also add the old pushrod 302. Maybe not a powerhouse as used in the trucks, but just a very reliable, very durable engine. Also a very popular choice among truck buyers for many years!
As for the new generation of truck engines, I'd say the new 5.0 Coyote is destined for greatness.

 

I agree, the 5.0 Coyote is a much better engine than the supercharged 5.4. Considering a stock *naturally aspirated* Coyote makes about the same power as the supercharged 5.4, despite natural aspiration and 8% less displacement, the 5.4 doesn't deserve mention. The SOHC Modular engines were never very impressive, the original 2V crop were no better and in many ways worse than the 302/351 Windsor and in the case of the 6.8 V10, the 460 they replaced. The 3V engines did a little better but can't hold a candle to the Coyote and Boss engines that replaced them. The DOHC Modular engines were much better than their pushrod predecessors but were extremely low-volume niche, special products. The 5.0 Coyote has nearly a hundred more HP than the 3V 5.4 and produces about the same power as the supercharged DOHC 5.4 in the Lightning. The 2V 6.2 Boss V8 has more power and about as much torque as the 3V 6.8 V10 despite being down two cylinders, 600 cc, and 14 valves. The 2V SOHC Boss has considerably more power than the 2V 6.8 V10. The SOHC Modulars are analogous to the Y-block V8, an engine that was a notable change from the previous engine (the Flathead V8/pushrod Windsor and 385 V8s) but didn't really outperform them, they were short lived, and the lessons learned from them led to *much* better engines (FE and 385 series V8s/Coyote and Boss V8s.)

 

The article stated: "The 5.8 liter, 351ci Windsor V8 debuted in 1969 under the hood of the Mustang Mach 1, acting as a bridge between the 302 and 390. It didn't land in a truck until 1980. . ." The 351 Windsor was also in the 197x's Ford Ranchero.

 

I can't help but laugh at the idea that the 300 is still considered as one of the best. Yes, yes, reliable like no other and I had two of them and both were bulletproof. But, the 300 was thirsty and the way that Ford geared the 300 trucks and the joke of a transmission that they punted behind it, they only made a great engine a dog.

If you were lucky enough to find a truck with the 300 and a granny four speed then you had a stump puller. Both of mine were manual OD transmissions with the 3.08 gear sets. 17 gutless MPG's was the best I ever did but I do have to admit that when you engage 4lo, it becomes a creeper and a capable off roader.

 

I've had the 300 straight-6, 302 V8, 5.4, and 390 engines. Never had a wrench put to any of them for more that a starter. Got 300K out of the 5.4.

Also had a 351-C in a 71 Gran Torino, but never had the Windsor in anything.

 

Agreed, I owned a 1978 F-150 with the 351 Windsor.

 

You would not want a 1979 5.0 though, Piston Slap factory. Blue print it though and 300K easily with many more to follow.

I still think the 3.5EB is one hell of an engine. Gobs of power from so little displacement and when driven correctly get great fuel economy. Easily got 20 MPG with a few 23-24 tanks. Towed like a diesel too without screaming at 5K.

 

I have an 89 E150 with a 300, has 70,000 miles on it, lives in the shop, wont drive faster than 20 MPH on flat ground, will not drive up a hill at all, no codes, and no shop can figure out whats wrong with it, not impressed. BTW the 99 E350 I bought over 20 years ago has 155,000 miles and was great until a coolant line blew yesterday, its off to the shop, it was driven onto the rollback that picked it up, I've had no issues with the 5.4, I've owned many Fords, the FE was the most durable.

 

I know it wasn't in trucks, but the 289 was a darned solid engine. The 2 barrel wasn't a powerhouse, but in its day it could get a nearly 2 ton car to highway speed in a reasonable time. And it was darned near bulletproof.