best daily driver engine
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,008
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From: Eastern, Idaho
best daily driver engine
What is a good engine to use as a daily driver in a 4x4 f150 with Air conditioning(NEED the bracket if changed) 3.50 gears, c6 auto and 33 inch tires? It currently has a 351m. I want low end power for get off the line power with 10 mpg or more. There arent any good pistons for the <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351m </a>and I would have to find a 400 if I'm going to convert it. I have a <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">460 </a>but I need the pulleys brackets and manifolds. What are the differences in the <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">429 </a>and <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">460 </a>and the <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351m </a>and 400? What would be goos for me?
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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best daily driver engine
To convert a <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351m </a>to a 400 at rebuild time all you need is the 400 crank and of course the proper pistons. To learn more about the 400 try the Cleveland forum. For more info re the 429/<a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">460 </a>the 385 series engine forum has the skinny.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,812
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From: Central Ohio
best daily driver engine
Everybody is gonna have a different opinion on whats the best motor. There are so many variables. I am not the expert on the <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/"><a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">460 </a></a>but I know there are alot of aftermarket parts to build a real screamer out of it. But you gas milleage isnt going to be much better than 351m/400, if not worse. There is a fellow on these forums who built a couple 400's that got 14-15mpg with a <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/"><a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">fuel injection</a></a> conversion. But the cam is also very important (as the stock <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/"><a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351m </a></a>& 400's came with pathetic cams that were a waste of metal). I would suggest edlebrock performer plus camshaft. Just my $0.02
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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best daily driver engine
i have a <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351m </a>in my truck with a c6 and 2.75/1 gears. when it was still fairly fresh, it was quick off the line, for a truck.
it's got a burned valve now a gets sorry mileage.
i was going to build mine into a 400 but then got to thinking about how well it ran when it was fresh and decided i didn't need the bother of finding a crank, and getting pistons and the rings and the pins and keepers. a <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351m </a>is plenty of power for this old man.
btw, check ebay motors works, there's a section on motor parts. search for ford/pistons. you'll find some 400, .030 over, flat top.
keep looking they'll show up.
it's got a burned valve now a gets sorry mileage.
i was going to build mine into a 400 but then got to thinking about how well it ran when it was fresh and decided i didn't need the bother of finding a crank, and getting pistons and the rings and the pins and keepers. a <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351m </a>is plenty of power for this old man.
btw, check ebay motors works, there's a section on motor parts. search for ford/pistons. you'll find some 400, .030 over, flat top.
keep looking they'll show up.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 925
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From: Quaker Hill ,CT U.S.A.
best daily driver engine
My old mans 1978 F150 4x4 with a 400 and a c6 gets 16+ mpg . This is with a "stock" engine with a new edelbrock 4bbl intake and a holley double pumper . That isnt bad for a fullsize with a bigger engine and a 4bbl . I think it is how you drive the truck in other words if you keep your foot out of it but " blow it out" at least once a week you should get some good mileage .
At the same time my '75 with a 360 2bbl and a 4 speed gets 10 to 12 mpg on a good day ..that said I would go for the 400 it will have the off the line power you are looking for and ( with my old man's it will light up 2and gear if you stuff it at a 25mph roll) get good mileage ! The stock cam in my old man's truck is fine for pulling and normal driving/blistering the 30'' tires off the back !
Personally from what I have seen here the 460 really likes gas so you may want to stay away from that . ( I have never owned a 460 just an observation )
Jon
At the same time my '75 with a 360 2bbl and a 4 speed gets 10 to 12 mpg on a good day ..that said I would go for the 400 it will have the off the line power you are looking for and ( with my old man's it will light up 2and gear if you stuff it at a 25mph roll) get good mileage ! The stock cam in my old man's truck is fine for pulling and normal driving/blistering the 30'' tires off the back !
Personally from what I have seen here the 460 really likes gas so you may want to stay away from that . ( I have never owned a 460 just an observation )
Jon
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: umatilla or
best daily driver engine
iam with bigblue250, a 428, twin carbs, strong low and mid range cam and headers will do the trick. add wings and a harness because with 2.75 gears your going to fly.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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best daily driver engine
Come on guys, the user asked a question and would probably like some serious replies.
For a fullsize Ford the 300-6 is a great engine for a daily driver as long as it is in good shape. The 400 offers a good choice for a daily economy, when built properly, and still has the power for some towing etc. This assumes that the vehicle is geared properly for the engine application. IMHO the 460 is great if you want to do some regular towing but it sucks too much gas for a daily driver. The 460 is hard to get geared right to take advantage of the low end torque it has. Some of the old full size luxury cars used diff ratios in the 2.x:1 range to use the 460.
For a fullsize Ford the 300-6 is a great engine for a daily driver as long as it is in good shape. The 400 offers a good choice for a daily economy, when built properly, and still has the power for some towing etc. This assumes that the vehicle is geared properly for the engine application. IMHO the 460 is great if you want to do some regular towing but it sucks too much gas for a daily driver. The 460 is hard to get geared right to take advantage of the low end torque it has. Some of the old full size luxury cars used diff ratios in the 2.x:1 range to use the 460.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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best daily driver engine
I don't know I don't meen to offend anyone but I haven't seen any ford motors that are more than 351 cid that get over 10 mpg. I own a 1977 f-250 with a 390 I installed and a 1976 f-150 with a 351m in it and a lot of ford motor experience I think you would be better to buil a 351 cleveland or 351m. I have also owned a 360 cid and a stock 390 cid. 360 & 390 stock both get between 7-10 mpg full load or not
best daily driver engine
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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best daily driver engine
Mileage will depend heavily on the final gear ratio. A truck that gets close to the same (low) mileage loaded or empty is usually geared to low (high numerically).
I have never liked the small V8's for truck use, just my penny's worth...
I have never liked the small V8's for truck use, just my penny's worth...
Last edited by Torque1st; Apr 1, 2003 at 01:40 AM.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 521
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From: Alexandria, Ohio
best daily driver engine
My '79 F250 4x4 got 8-10 MPG stock w/351M Auto full time 4x4 w/3.54 gears. It got the same with a BUILT 400 auto and then a 4 speed and part time 4x4 and 4" lift and 35x12.50 radials. It did not matter if it was loaded or empty or towing. 8-10 mpg. I do have a heavy foot though. HEHE!!!!!
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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best daily driver engine
I have a 1976 f-150 and a 1977 f-250. I did a swap and took the 351m out of the '77 and put the 360 into the '77. before I put the 360 in though I took it to a performance shop and turned it into a 390 thats bored out .80 over with all the parts to go along cam, carb all that stuff, too many to list. So I hope that clears things up.
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