4.9L vs. 5.0L
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
The 4.9L is a true truck engine with great bottom end torque, simple design, easy on gas and it will last forever. Gear driven camshaft, 7 main bearings, long stroke, cast iron everything, this six is the closest thing to an industrial engine that we could buy at the time. It's easy to understand why many referred to it as the poor man's Diesel. The 5.0L, not so much, really just a car V8. The difference between the two is evident when you go to pass someone at highway speeds... The V8 is a high RPM engine compared to the inline-6. Down shifting and passing at highway speeds is not possible with the 4.9's realistic max RPM of 3500; pull 3rd and you're way over that. My 6 cyl is done at 70 mph, it will go more but I feel guilty running it faster for any sustained period. I have an 85 4x4 F150 4.9 and it will pull anything, go thru any snow even some nasty mud. The only real mods I've done are a cat back exhaust w/EFI's and a LockRight locker in the rear diff. The 4.9L is my bad weather, have to get to work go-to truck; on the other hand my 7.5L is my I'm in a hurry and you're going to have to move that Lexus out of my fast lane truck!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
The 4.9L is a gasoline fired diesel engine designed to lug and work. It was used in UPS trucks and busses. It can also be found in F-550's. It's a truck engine.
The 5.0L is a wonderful little V8 that can be built up to eat many larger V8's. The 5.0L doesn't have the low end grunt the 4.9L does.
Both are great engines. I would be happy to have either in a truck. The 4.9L is a better truck engine however and I am partial to them.
The 5.0L is a wonderful little V8 that can be built up to eat many larger V8's. The 5.0L doesn't have the low end grunt the 4.9L does.
Both are great engines. I would be happy to have either in a truck. The 4.9L is a better truck engine however and I am partial to them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
The 5.0 was designed as a pony car engine and revs itself silly pulling around a heavy truck. It also ends up with very little to show for it once it has actually developed its power. The 4.9 develops power low and puts it in the pull from 2k RPM up. If you like racing your truck then go for the 5.0 and spend tons modifying it to run with the big dogs. God knows there are plenty of options there. But if you want your truck to perform like a truck and never bat an eye at whatever load or pulling operation you throw at it, then enjoy every long mile that 4.9 will give you. And for the record, the 4.9 will typically go for about 250-300k of 'em before needing anything major done to it. Show me a 5.0 that has done that. Show me a 5.0 that can.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9
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Thanks guys. Bought the 4.9 and I'm loving it! Had a 5.0 before and the 4.9 definitely out preforms.
I may end up asking a lot of questions here because this is the first 4.9 I've owned.
I may end up asking a lot of questions here because this is the first 4.9 I've owned.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 167
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From: eastern connecticut
now what if we throw in the 5.8 compared to the 5.0 and 4.9, then what would you choose. I got a 5.8 in my pickup, it does ok and my brother had the 302 in his bronco, it seemed to move. My little cousin has a 4.9 in his pickup but its a yard vehicle, he likes it. so whats your opinion as im looking at a bronco with a 5.8 in it.
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sorry if this may mess up this thread but would make a good thread if we throw in the 7.5
. sorry if this may mess up this thread but would make a good thread if we throw in the 7.5
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
Welcome to the ranks of the Big Sic brother!
Come give us a holler in the Inline Six section!
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
Glad to hear you're liking the Big 6!
The inline forum is definitely more so the place for engine questions on that one.
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
What year did you get? Carb or EFI?
The inline forum is definitely more so the place for engine questions on that one.
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
What year did you get? Carb or EFI?
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
now what if we throw in the 5.8 compared to the 5.0 and 4.9, then what would you choose. I got a 5.8 in my pickup, it does ok and my brother had the 302 in his bronco, it seemed to move. My little cousin has a 4.9 in his pickup but its a yard vehicle, he likes it. so whats your opinion as im looking at a bronco with a 5.8 in it..
. That said, my brother's Bronco with a 5.8 vs my Bronco with a 4.9.... There's nothing he can do that I can't.
Then, when the day's done, the gas mileage I get in 4x4 off-road is the same as what he gets on the open highway.
That's not ******* the 5.8 at all. It's a true truck V8. But if you don't need it, there's no point in paying for the fuel to run through it.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9
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Glad to hear you're liking the Big 6!
The inline forum is definitely more so the place for engine questions on that one.
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
What year did you get? Carb or EFI?
The inline forum is definitely more so the place for engine questions on that one.
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
What year did you get? Carb or EFI?
I also have a 2000 Ford Excursion with a 7.3L but this Bronco is my new toy!
