`Which Motor....
New User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: at the beach
`Which Motor....
I would go with the 351, but it depends on what you use if for, if it is just for the daily commute and you wheel lightly than the 6 should be fine, if you want to get anywhere quick and do heavy wheeling go with the 351. My $.02
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: enderby
`Which Motor....
I would have to say all those engines are great in there own way the 300 has tons of torque and is great as a four speed, and the 351w has the most cubes but I would have to say the 302 is the cats meow it's an easy build up with tons for parts in the junk yard or aftermarket and it can make tons of power for a lot less then the 351 and the 300. and let's not forget reliable I ran a 1979 Ltd with a tired old 302 in a demolition derby last year with 48 other cars and placed 1 in 0ne heat out of 4 heats and made it to the finials and lost to a broken steering arm, that 302 was still running 4 heats with no water, beat and battered and thats after I guy told me that 302s don't like heat(he drives dodge) well I proved him wrong. 302 thats the best choice.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
`Which Motor....
I would tend to think that the 302 is a nice compromise. Granted, we are talking about a V8 with a mere two more cubes than the I-6. But this makes it just slightly more MPG friendly than its big brother 351. As has been mentioned, the availability of stock and aftermarket components and performance modifications from mild to wild make the 302 a very easily maintained and modified power plant. Truthfully, the 351 isn't that far removed from the 302 to begin with but its a thirsty engine.
I have had many people ask me why I didn't swap up to the 5.8 from the original 5.0 when I had to drop a new heart in my '92. The answer was simple. "I can get the additional power if I want it but for now, I'll enjoy the slightly better mileage." Right now, with the mild mods I've done, I can run neck and neck with my brother's carburated '76 Bronco 302 and his little '76 has the definite weight advantage along with true dual exhaust and no emissions crap to slow it down.
I have had many people ask me why I didn't swap up to the 5.8 from the original 5.0 when I had to drop a new heart in my '92. The answer was simple. "I can get the additional power if I want it but for now, I'll enjoy the slightly better mileage." Right now, with the mild mods I've done, I can run neck and neck with my brother's carburated '76 Bronco 302 and his little '76 has the definite weight advantage along with true dual exhaust and no emissions crap to slow it down.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
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From: Round Rock, TX
`Which Motor....
They're all great engines. The 300 is pretty much bulletproof and has gobs of torque. The 302 gives you V8 horsepower with slightly better mileage than the 351. The 351 seems to have marginally better power than the 302, but sucks down more gas. I've driven Broncos with both V8s and trucks with the I6, and they're all perfectly acceptable truck power plants as far as I'm concerned.
