460 out, 302 in???
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 472
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From: Somewhere in the universe
460 out, 302 in???
Ok guys, been up every night this week wondering what I should do. My 85 F250
2WD 460 with a C6 is closer than ever to its resto. This spring I'm getting my
mobile detail business up and running. I'd like this truck to be strictly for the
business. Obviously not only does the truck and the trailer (rig) have to look top
notch, I'm also worried about gas mileage. I'm gonna be driving all over N.E
Ohio from job to job. I'm gonna need some muscle to pull this trailer without a
problem, but at the same time, the gas mileage has to be there. This could be
the difference between profit, or failior. Should I get rid of the BB and swap it for
a new 302 crate? I'm sure I could recuperate a lot of cash by selling the BB and
C6, but would it be worth it all? What kind of mileage would I get out of an
injected 302? Should i even get into this, or should i just off the truck and buy
one already set up? The BB only has 84000 on it, and has never given my any issues,
but this mileage really sucks. Any opinions would be wonderful, and thank you in advance.
2WD 460 with a C6 is closer than ever to its resto. This spring I'm getting my
mobile detail business up and running. I'd like this truck to be strictly for the
business. Obviously not only does the truck and the trailer (rig) have to look top
notch, I'm also worried about gas mileage. I'm gonna be driving all over N.E
Ohio from job to job. I'm gonna need some muscle to pull this trailer without a
problem, but at the same time, the gas mileage has to be there. This could be
the difference between profit, or failior. Should I get rid of the BB and swap it for
a new 302 crate? I'm sure I could recuperate a lot of cash by selling the BB and
C6, but would it be worth it all? What kind of mileage would I get out of an
injected 302? Should i even get into this, or should i just off the truck and buy
one already set up? The BB only has 84000 on it, and has never given my any issues,
but this mileage really sucks. Any opinions would be wonderful, and thank you in advance.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 5
From: Orlando area
A 302 is going to be a big disappointment when it comes to pulling your trailer. If you want to go smaller, the 351W is the minimum in my opinion. Note that you will spend a bunch of money making the conversion (transmission swap, mounts, exhaust, accessory drive mounts, etc.) the fuel savings could be 5 mpg. (but probably not any more).
Maybe you should consider installing an Overdrive for better milage on the highway.
Such as Gear Vendors under/overdrive Trucks / Towing, Chevrolet /GMC, Dodge / Dodge RAM, Ford auxiliary transmissions.
Or a 6 spd trans TCI® Transmission Packages - TCI® Auto
Maybe you should consider installing an Overdrive for better milage on the highway.
Such as Gear Vendors under/overdrive Trucks / Towing, Chevrolet /GMC, Dodge / Dodge RAM, Ford auxiliary transmissions.
Or a 6 spd trans TCI® Transmission Packages - TCI® Auto
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I don't think you will ever see a 5mpg gain while pulling a trailer.
302's need to be turning to make power, and Ford knew better than to put one in a 250.
The I6 would be a better choice, but slow as a turtle.
What gears do you have?
If you are "going to be driving all over the state", do the ZF5 swap and keep it under 3k on the highway.
Enjoy the much less 'busy' feel and the improved mileage.
Just my 2c
302's need to be turning to make power, and Ford knew better than to put one in a 250.
The I6 would be a better choice, but slow as a turtle.
What gears do you have?
If you are "going to be driving all over the state", do the ZF5 swap and keep it under 3k on the highway.
Enjoy the much less 'busy' feel and the improved mileage.
Just my 2c
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Since you are using this for a business, I would just buy a newer truck for the fuel mileage and power you want. Time is money when running a business, and plus you can write the newer truck off as a business expense correct? You can't be messing around working on a old truck all the time when customers are waiting.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,271
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From: Franklin, IN
How much will your trailer weigh? I occasionally towed a fullsize bronco trail rig with my 302 and hated it. It got terrible fuel mileage and was not happy pulling that much weight around, and that was with a ZF5, 4.10s and in the flats of the midwest.
I would consider the swap however if the trailer you will be pulling is a relatively light one. I get good mileage for a 4x4 3/4 ton when unloaded and pulling light trailers, around 15 mpg mixed.
I would consider the swap however if the trailer you will be pulling is a relatively light one. I get good mileage for a 4x4 3/4 ton when unloaded and pulling light trailers, around 15 mpg mixed.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Somewhere in the universe
Im sure the trailer isnt going to weigh anything close to a Bronco. Its just going to be a 6x12 enclosed v-nose. I lloked into the ZF5 but id like to stay auto. The TCI at this point has got my attention thouigh. Ill have to do some more research. I thought about the 351 for a while, but after some researching on the forum here, found that there wasn't going to be a difference in MPG. it surprises me that the 302 wouldn't be that big of a difference in mileage, but i guess it would be working fairly hard to get it moving. Hmm, what to do!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Somewhere in the universe
Couple more thoughts. By the way, i'm not sure what the gears are, but it is a Dana 60. Anyway, i do have as a daily driver, an 05 F150. Thing is, its a 4.2, with a five speed. Its fairly flat in N.E Ohio, so I'm wondering if this will get me by until the 85 is finished. Yes, i could purchase one, and right it off, but i don't want to start a business off already owing somebody something. The way i see it, if you don't have the cash, you don't have the money at all. After the business starts generating enough ill either finish the 85, or buy a new one. Now days, i could probably totally restore the 85 for half of what it would cost me for a new one. 
Sorry, just thinking out loud here.
Sorry, just thinking out loud here.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,827
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From: Martinsburg, WV
Towing any kind of weight with my 302, mountains or not, 11-14mpg, max, and that's with an F150. No tq, and you have to wind her up to make power, and the stock ford heads get winded way too early. Better off keeping the 460 for now until you can get a newer tow rig. The 4.2 wont be that great for it either, neither will the stock 5spd behind it.
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Talk to someone who runs their own business. I don't, but here is what I have been hearing.
You have to keep track of everything, all your expenses, all your receipts, and all the money you have made. That's the kicker, you do not want to make any money for the first 3 years. You want your expenses to be way more than the money you make. A newer truck payment would be a good way to do this. Maybe someone else can explain it better.
You could write off the fuel the 460 uses if you wanted to.
You have to keep track of everything, all your expenses, all your receipts, and all the money you have made. That's the kicker, you do not want to make any money for the first 3 years. You want your expenses to be way more than the money you make. A newer truck payment would be a good way to do this. Maybe someone else can explain it better.
You could write off the fuel the 460 uses if you wanted to.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Somewhere in the universe
Yea, I'm coming to realization that it may be the better option to get rid of her. It just sucks because these trucks have so much personality compared to these new ones now days. Don't get me wrong, Im in love with the new ford trucks, but their nothing compared to the old ones. I've had many offers on it, and a sale fell through last summer, but maybe I'll give the last offer a call, and send her out to paster. With what I'm gonna use it for, how would you guys set up my next ford? I'm a bare bones kind of guy, but I really like the new FX4 with the black headlight, and taillight package, whatever that may be!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
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From: Virginia
If you can afford it, a diesel would be the best way to go. It will haul the weight, and also give you good fuel mileage. They are well built, and last several 100,000 miles. Some people do not like diesel's though, but they have a lot of advantages. Some people do not like the higher cost of the diesel fuel, but with the mileage these things get, you are ahead to get one.
If you get a 5.4, and it gets at it's best, 16 mpg, and the diesel gets 19mpg, lets see how that figures out.
If both trucks go 600 miles.
The 5.4 is going to use 37.5 gallons
The diesel will use 31.5 gallons
I just bought gas today in my area, and it was 3.12 per gallon. Diesel in my area is 3.80 per gallon.
37.5 x 3.12 = $117.00 for the 5.4
31.5 x 3.80 =$119 for the diesel
Not much difference. The gas engine is winning slighty now, because gas is unusually low, and it's the winter time, when diesel is higher because of fuel heating oil prices. Usually the diesel wins.
If you get a 5.4, and it gets at it's best, 16 mpg, and the diesel gets 19mpg, lets see how that figures out.
If both trucks go 600 miles.
The 5.4 is going to use 37.5 gallons
The diesel will use 31.5 gallons
I just bought gas today in my area, and it was 3.12 per gallon. Diesel in my area is 3.80 per gallon.
37.5 x 3.12 = $117.00 for the 5.4
31.5 x 3.80 =$119 for the diesel
Not much difference. The gas engine is winning slighty now, because gas is unusually low, and it's the winter time, when diesel is higher because of fuel heating oil prices. Usually the diesel wins.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
If I bought a new Ford I'd seriously consider the Ecoboost. Even for towing a small trailer like you are talking about. From the tests I've read they tow quite well and still give good MPG when running light. Good, that is, for a truck.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
You obviously know something I don't know. What's the issue?