hello all,

I found a neighbor with a f150 I6 with 198K automatic for 800bucks. I checked it out today and engine sounds good with no knocking.

PO recently changed the belt, all fluids check out well. AC and heater works. Exterior lights work. E brake works. Radio works. It has manual windows and door locks. Tires are about 70% left. Brakes stop exactly when stepped on.

What needs attention: oil pan has a slow leak. Maybe a drop for the 3hours that I was there. only one of the two fuel tanks work. over drive button does not work. driver side door does not open when using the key. Have to open passenger side to get in. PO said radiator needs a full flushing or needs a new one, because truck temperature rose pretty high one time on a long excursion but did not over heat.

When I drove it, car drove well but not smooth like my 2001 ford truck. But I guess what should i expect from a 1993.

I need your advice if this will be in the shop rather than in my driveway. I am planning to use it as a daily driver. About 30miles roundtrip 6times a week. I am not a mechanic but I like to be DIYer and can change all fluids myself but that's about it.

Thanks,

What do you guys think?

 

Those are all common issues with this vintage, and easy fixes. As others will agree the 300 is one of, if not the best Ford engine ever produced. As long as it has been maintained I would not be afraid of one with that kind of mileage.

 

New to forum so don't chastise me too badly if I don't follow proper procedure. I'm thinking of buying a 94 F150 with the 300 - 6 and 5 speed manual tranny. It's 4X4 with 3.55 differentials. Engine was rebuilt about 20k miles ago. Truck appears to be in good condition. Thing is, I'll be driving it on the highway a fair amount. The web site fueleconomy.gov gives it 17 mpg on the road. Is this a realistic number? Any experience from you guys with this truck/engine combo?

Thanks

 

Better to start your own thread than hijack someone else's.

If the truck has stock size tires on it, and is in good tune; 17mpg can be had on the highway. I can push mine to 19mpg with the same setup, but it is only 2WD.

 

jscrew, I would not hesitate to pick that up in the condition you describe. Especially for that price.

Bowditch 17 mpg should be obtainable if the truck is in tune, tires inflated correctly, and you drive like a grandpa. I am told my Bronco got 15 on the highway, and that is with the 351W, and being a 4x4. The six should be able to get another 2 mpg over mine.

Jim

 

Like everyone else says, if maintained they will go well over 200k. My 96 is about to roll over 185k and still runs like a top, my goal is 300k. I run Castrol GTX 10w30 with a Wix filter and also run Lucas oil stabilizer. The 300 six is one of my favorite Ford engines, this is my second one; I had one in my old truck I drove the crap out of it for years... still runs great!
John

 

My 95 F 150 has 237k on it with everything original except for the clutch, water pump, alternator, starter, and MAP sensor. Nelly Belle's exhaust is even original.
The 300 is one of the most reliable gas engines ever made and its very easy to work on and maintain. Mine is dead stock except for Taylor low resitance ignition wires and an ignition timing bump. The biggest reason I bought this and my last truck (94 F150) is because of the 300. My engine burns about 1 qt of oil every 5k under normal conditions and delivers an average of 16 to 17 Mpg on my 40 mile round trip commute into Boston. Highway mileage will vary from 18 Mpg @ 70 Mph to 20 Mpg @ 60 Mph.
YMMV
rikard