300 life expectancy.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30
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From: Guelph Canada
300 life expectancy.
Everybody talks about how tough the 300 I6 is.
So. with reasonable maintenace how long would you expect them to last??? Who has the highest mileage original 300 out there?? and then what is an average life expectancy.
My '96 F150 5spd with 2.73 gears only has 120,000 miles on it so I figure I have a long, long ways to go yet.
So. with reasonable maintenace how long would you expect them to last??? Who has the highest mileage original 300 out there?? and then what is an average life expectancy.
My '96 F150 5spd with 2.73 gears only has 120,000 miles on it so I figure I have a long, long ways to go yet.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 3
From: S. Mississippi
300 life expectancy.
I've seen records of my uncles 225k mile 300, and he parked the truck. The trans finally went, although i imagine it had been rebuilt before.
I've heard of 300s going well over 300k, and thats just with regular maintenance..etc, so i'd say yea, you've got plenty of time left on yours.
I've heard of 300s going well over 300k, and thats just with regular maintenance..etc, so i'd say yea, you've got plenty of time left on yours.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 628
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From: Colorado
300 life expectancy.
Mine had either (definitely)260K or (maybe)360K (bought it used so I can't be sure) when I noticed the first slight puffs of smoke in cold early morning starts. The speedo was at "20k" when I bought it at ten years old... and I KNOW I put 140K on it myself. The engine probably had another 40K left but I detest "smokers" - & so do the SNAZIS(smog *****).
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 1
From: redding U.S.A.
300 life expectancy.
there's a mileage king post somewhere...
Things go forever. As long as you don't really beat on it, altho with the 300 it really doesn't care what horrible things you do to it, it'll last you a long time. Great solid engine.
Things go forever. As long as you don't really beat on it, altho with the 300 it really doesn't care what horrible things you do to it, it'll last you a long time. Great solid engine.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 57
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From: Independence, MO
300 life expectancy.
This is good to hear because I just got one given to me with either 240K or 140K miles on it.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 871
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From: Coleman, Wisconsin
300 life expectancy.
So I guess it's a good thing that my daily driver has a 300 in it. Great engine for a high school kid as long as its bullet proof. 
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New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 23
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300 life expectancy.
Mine went 216,000 miles and I donated it to charity. Not because of the engine, it ran great and no leaks. The rest of the truck was falling off and I don't have the time/energy/garage space to deal with it.
Plus I love my 6.0 so much I think the 300 would have gotten jealous!
The 300 is bulletproof and a great engine.
Plus I love my 6.0 so much I think the 300 would have gotten jealous!
The 300 is bulletproof and a great engine.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 385
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From: Flat Rock, Michigan
300 life expectancy.
My 1981 F-150 4.9L has 209,000 miles without ever being rebuilt. It has developed a rod knock on the #2 cylinder. But even with that, i still drive it around town. I just try to keep the speed under 50mph because the rod knock gets kind of loud. A great engine and its easy to work on.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 205
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From: Connecticut
300 life expectancy.
Originally posted by red_rocket
I dont know anyone that has ever killed 300 i-6
I dont know anyone that has ever killed 300 i-6
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 628
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From: Colorado
300 life expectancy.
Originally posted by Boss50
So I guess it's a good thing that my daily driver has a 300 in it. Great engine for a high school kid as long as its bullet proof.
So I guess it's a good thing that my daily driver has a 300 in it. Great engine for a high school kid as long as its bullet proof.
New User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
300 life expectancy.
Back in the high school days, my buddy had an old early 80 beat up Ford Truck and the oil pump broke in his 300. Well, he didn't have the time or money to fix it and he drove around for a month without any oil pressure and the motor then locked up....to my surprise, he dumped motor oil in each of the cylinders and sure enough, the motor came back to life! He did this for 3 months untill he fixed the oil pump! I would say these motors are pretty much indestructable!
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4
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300 life expectancy.
Hey all,
I have an 81 F150 L6 300 with 170K miles. The most major part I have had to replace was the Carburator..... It has at least 60-100k left in my eyes... Just change oil every 3k is my advice...
81Fomoco
I have an 81 F150 L6 300 with 170K miles. The most major part I have had to replace was the Carburator..... It has at least 60-100k left in my eyes... Just change oil every 3k is my advice...
81Fomoco
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,498
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From: Raleigh, NC
300 life expectancy.
I know a kid who drove his '86 F-150 4x4 for 5 days with very little or no oil in that engine. He forgot to tighten the filter and it all leaked out and he went 4 wheelin'--never knocked off on him, and that truck has 230,000 miles on it.
By the way, I'm tryin to talk a friend of mine to sell me his '87 F-150 4x4 with a 300 to rescue it from the torture he puts on it. I think I can get it cheap too.
By the way, I'm tryin to talk a friend of mine to sell me his '87 F-150 4x4 with a 300 to rescue it from the torture he puts on it. I think I can get it cheap too.