Wondering what would be a better option a 302 or 351 for performance and economy? Have a daily driver 77 f150 2wd extra cab short bed that has a 460, c6 now but want to pull out asap. Thinking a 302 with an aod trans would be best option. Maybe some better style iron heads would give 302 a little more power and the aod for the extra hwy gear but not sure? I am thinking the 302 would be better on gas over the 351 but again not sure.
What is best option???
Thanks.

 

I'd go with the 302. Adding a nice set of headers, that would really help out too from what all my buddies keep telling me. I'm still running the stock manifold on mine, with plenty of power. I'd guess I'm getting about 15mpg with it on my 66 F250, and the heads were just redone.

 

351 is my vote, I have had both motors in my extended cab truck with an AOD and 3.55 gears and the 351 got better milage.. by a wide margin. The little Wheezer simply doesn't generate enough low rpm TQ to push that much weight without dropping out of OD on ever little grade. I suppose it would do better with more axle gearing but I doubt that would improve milage. Both these were EFI motors but I think the comparison could be transferred to carbed motor too, for the record the 5.8 got 13/17.5 while the 5.0 only manages 13mpg at the best of times.

 

what gearing is currently in the rear end of your truck? also the C6 in stock form is a huge performance hog but is very cheap to fix up so it performs very well and would perhaps change how the 460 drives. all stuff to think about

 

Not sure on gear ratio as of yet. What do u think can be down to c6 economically to perform better?
Thanks.

 

If you are looking soley for hot rod performance or a good daily driver the 302 is the way to go. If you plan on towing 4000 pounds or more quite frequently then go with the 351. The 302 will get the better fuel economy vs thr 351 if both engines are running and tuned right.

 

i would have to disagree with freakshow. I once owned an 88 bronco which had a 5.0/Aod combo. ran 31's and had stock 3.55 gears. Motor had 120k on it and got 12 city and 14hwy. about a year later swapped in a 5.8 mated to the AOD running same tires and diff gears. motor had 110k miles when i got it and I averaged 13 city and 15hwy. the bronco is heavy and not very aerodynamic. the 5.8 just has the advantage due to it building more torque lower in the rpm range which is what will get the beast moving more efficently.

 

I have to vote for the 351 also, in a car I would say 302, but the little man just don't have the low end grunt for the heavier trucks.

 

I actually get 16mpg at 55mph/2300rpm. But my engine is running perfect. I can see it from both sides. I have a friend that complained his 98 f150 with the 4.6 got worse mpg than his friends with the 5.4. I guess it depends on the exact swet up but I can see a 351w getting better mpg in certain set ups no doubt. My truck weighs 5150 with me in it btw.

Btw I was honestly suprised to get 16mpg without overdrive. But believe me I'm not on here to lie or anything about mpg. I was really suprised.

 

With either Engine gas mileage is going to depend alot on the person pushing the pedal. I know I could get alot better mileage out of both my Bronco and My 78 F150 if I would take it easy.

 

for a well tuned engine I am not surprised at all with 16mpg. Like I said in my last post alot depends on the driver.

 

Yeah just barely touchibg the pedal makes a long difference in mpg.

 

I have a 302 and wish I had a 351. Go with the bigger motor. Actually what gas mikeage are you getting with the 460. Maybe working on the trans would be the better way to go.

 

You just gotta let us know the budget. You already have a 302. From thr monry you spend on getting a bone stock 351w, you can put that dough into your heads cam exhaust and regearing to bigger tires.

 

My vote would be for the 351w.

The only difference between the 302 and 351w is that the 351w has a taller deck and more cubic inches. Some parts interchange while others don't.

The 351w will not work as hard.

Also, if you get a stick shift you will gain a lot of performance. The C6 was just about bullet proof but it robbed a lot of torque between the engine and the tires.

Put in a 351w, it will allow you to stay off the gas pedal and a stick shift will allow you to retain a bunch of power.


**A 302 can be built up to beat a 351w but apples to apples the 351w wins. A 351w can be built up too. There are a lot of aftermarket goodies for the 351w.