VOTE: Best Ford Engine?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,050
Likes: 1,524
From: Maine, Virginia
The 300 is a damned fine engine and I've had and loved a few of them and would have another. But, I have a soft spot for the 4.6L 2V engine as well. Just tough as nails, good on gas and runs a lifetime.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
The 302........Jack of all trades, could power anything from a Fairmont to a F-250.
Really tame in most stock offerings, but man!......the potential for old school hot-rodders to unlock.
The 5.0 in my 84 Mustang GT 5spd broke 30.3 mpg on one extended trip to Cali on I-5......at better than 75mph most of the way........used not a drop of oil in 5,000 mile oil change intervals until the day I sold it.
I have had plenty of 302s......not a bad one in the batch.
Really tame in most stock offerings, but man!......the potential for old school hot-rodders to unlock.
The 5.0 in my 84 Mustang GT 5spd broke 30.3 mpg on one extended trip to Cali on I-5......at better than 75mph most of the way........used not a drop of oil in 5,000 mile oil change intervals until the day I sold it.
I have had plenty of 302s......not a bad one in the batch.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
The Ford 300 6 is tops for durable, Next in V8 the 360, and 460 are great!
One engine that may be overlooked is the Vulcan v6 3.0! The were used in Ranger pickups, Aerostar Vans and millions of Tarurus! I have found these almost as durable as 300 6, some lasted over 300,000 miles, just ask any mechanic!
One engine that may be overlooked is the Vulcan v6 3.0! The were used in Ranger pickups, Aerostar Vans and millions of Tarurus! I have found these almost as durable as 300 6, some lasted over 300,000 miles, just ask any mechanic!
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,050
Likes: 1,524
From: Maine, Virginia
The Ford 300 6 is tops for durable, Next in V8 the 360, and 460 are great!
One engine that may be overlooked is the Vulcan v6 3.0! The were used in Ranger pickups, Aerostar Vans and millions of Tarurus! I have found these almost as durable as 300 6, some lasted over 300,000 miles, just ask any mechanic!
One engine that may be overlooked is the Vulcan v6 3.0! The were used in Ranger pickups, Aerostar Vans and millions of Tarurus! I have found these almost as durable as 300 6, some lasted over 300,000 miles, just ask any mechanic!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
4 cyl:
1st-2.3 Duratec...one of the few modern 4 cyl engines with a timing chain. has decent power as well
2nd-2.3 Lima...really take a beating. reminds me of the 300 straight 6
6 cyl:
1st-300 straight 6...legendary engine
2nd-3.0 v6...really strong v6, takes a hard beating and has decent power
8 cyl:
302...the possibilities are endless with a 302
1st-2.3 Duratec...one of the few modern 4 cyl engines with a timing chain. has decent power as well
2nd-2.3 Lima...really take a beating. reminds me of the 300 straight 6
6 cyl:
1st-300 straight 6...legendary engine
2nd-3.0 v6...really strong v6, takes a hard beating and has decent power
8 cyl:
302...the possibilities are endless with a 302
FTE Remembers
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
i'll list my favorite and most expensive as follows : my two favorite of all time , my flathead v-8's and my fe bigblocks ................ the 385 series comes in soon after them ...............
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
FTE Remembers
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
my 53 is in pieces , but it is daily driven { 53 f100 with a flatty and t98 four gear } , and a 52 customline 2 door with a flatty and three on the tree being rewired , and a spare flatty ion pieces in the garage . i love 'em and they are some of the most dependable and durable things i have owned if they are taken care of and not abused beyond reality ........................... just waiting for the 52 too come back and i think i am gonna sell my 95 4.6 bird and all the parts for it off and go back to what i truly love .................
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA (Northside)
Have to agree with most of the responses here.
4cyl best: 2.3l lima. The 2.0 in my mom's escort has been trouble free also.
6cyl: has the 300-6 been mentioned yet? They should have never quit making them. The toughest motor I have ever seen. Old work truck was a 93 econoline 250 with the 300-6. When it got retired, boss gave it to his kid who beat the snot out of it for 6 months. It would not die.
8cyl: the 302. My uncle had a 94 Bronco (needed a fuel pump and he got rid of it-man did I screw up by not buying it from him) and a co-worker had a 95 conversion van with the 302. Both had over 130k when the went away and neither had any motor problems. I was told the 289 was even better but I have no experience with them.
6cyl: has the 300-6 been mentioned yet? They should have never quit making them. The toughest motor I have ever seen. Old work truck was a 93 econoline 250 with the 300-6. When it got retired, boss gave it to his kid who beat the snot out of it for 6 months. It would not die.
8cyl: the 302. My uncle had a 94 Bronco (needed a fuel pump and he got rid of it-man did I screw up by not buying it from him) and a co-worker had a 95 conversion van with the 302. Both had over 130k when the went away and neither had any motor problems. I was told the 289 was even better but I have no experience with them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23,620
Likes: 2
From: Coeur d alene, Id
[quote=grumpy hvacr;10385418]4cyl best: 2.3l lima. The 2.0 in my mom's escort has been trouble free also.
6cyl: has the 300-6 been mentioned yet? They should have never quit making them. The toughest motor I have ever seen. Old work truck was a 93 econoline 250 with the 300-6. When it got retired, boss gave it to his kid who beat the snot out of it for 6 months. It would not die.
yes it has 9 times lol by far its in the lead
6cyl: has the 300-6 been mentioned yet? They should have never quit making them. The toughest motor I have ever seen. Old work truck was a 93 econoline 250 with the 300-6. When it got retired, boss gave it to his kid who beat the snot out of it for 6 months. It would not die.
yes it has 9 times lol by far its in the lead
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
The best gas mileage is the 460. Ha Ha.
Ford built a bunch of great engines over the years. The problem was they kept changing the good ones for what they thought were better.
But the best engine & longest build design, cheapest to repair, easiest to find parts for, & had more factory performance part was the SMALL BLOCK CHEVY. (265-350)
Ford built a bunch of great engines over the years. The problem was they kept changing the good ones for what they thought were better.
But the best engine & longest build design, cheapest to repair, easiest to find parts for, & had more factory performance part was the SMALL BLOCK CHEVY. (265-350)