Hey all,
I currently have a 1988 Ford F150 4x4 302 regular cab automatic transmission custom with manual windows. My dad has a 1989 Ford F250 4x4 4spd Overdrive manual trannsmission regular cab with a 351 manual windows XL flatbed truck. My mom needs an automatic truck so I offered to trade my 1988 F150 which I really like for a the 1989 F250 of ours. I do know standard very well I am the only one who has worked on it. I know the previous owners 2 others. I figured I would need it to haul more things because when my F150 was running it struggled with some pretty heavy loads. I was just wondering what do you guys think of the EFI 351 windsors. I have never driven a 351 on the highway and streets just around the ranch which doesn't tell me anything. The truck is over all in good shape. What have you guys mainly seen in diffrence between the 351 and 302? I am not worried about gas milage.
Trav

 

Trav, You will have a little more hp and alot more torque. You should not see a huge difference in mpg. The 351 will pull better and handle the work load better. It also depends on the gearing difference with the two. I love my 460 and get about the same mileage as the 5.4 and 5.8 engines.

 

I love my 89 F250 351 5 speed. Will burn the tires off in 2nd gear, and pulls hard through 3rd and 4th. Never hauled anything too heavy with mine, cant help you there. The best thing I did for my engine was uncork the exhaust, there was a noticable seat of the pants improvement when i got rid of the stock manifolds ginormous cat and muffler for a set of long tubes and true dual 2.5" piping.

 

You will see a HUGE difference b/t the 302 and 351w. And its nothing but torque. I love my truck even more since the 351 swap, and I think you will love it too. Average mpg I hear on the 351w is 12-14. I get 15-16 city, 18 hwy, and 12-14 towing/playing.

My 351w get better mpg than the 302 did. Lol

Also if you haul some heavy stuff you will like the f250 better, it can handle a load alot better than the f150.

 

The f250 will sit higher and allow for larger tires on stock suspension if you wanted to modify one of them

 

Well if my mom can't get a truck from somewhere that she wants then we will do the trade. If she does I will keep my 1988 F150 and use the F250 for big work borrowing it from my dad.
Trav

 

If it was me, I'd take the f250 anyway. Even of she didn't use your F150. But thats just me.

 

ya I know but my dad might use it for a work truck and let me drive it when I need it and it would be there when needed but have my F150 302 for gas milage.
Trav