Engine choices? MPG, reliability and torque.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,662
Likes: 984
From: Near Yosemite CA
YES IT WILL!! I had a 300, punched .030, heads with a little flow work (they are the worst part of the 300) nice low to mid cam, Offenhauser 4bbl intake, Heddman dual-outlet headers (split manifold), Holley 390 cfm,
Had NP435 and 4.10's with 235/85/16's and later 265-75-16's
This was in a 66 F250, truck weighed 4800, rolled down to scrap a few times, with trailer, just a tad over 12,500# was the heaviest. The inline 6 is torquey, I used the V8 Radiator, NEVER got hot, even in Fresno in Sept. and towing, going back up the mountains home, trailer is 2000# and toodled along just dandy. Even surprised a few rice-burners off the line up to about 80.
Pound for pound, I'd build a 300 all day long! Oh yeah, and I avg. 16+ running 60 and below, with a few bursts to 80+
Had NP435 and 4.10's with 235/85/16's and later 265-75-16's
This was in a 66 F250, truck weighed 4800, rolled down to scrap a few times, with trailer, just a tad over 12,500# was the heaviest. The inline 6 is torquey, I used the V8 Radiator, NEVER got hot, even in Fresno in Sept. and towing, going back up the mountains home, trailer is 2000# and toodled along just dandy. Even surprised a few rice-burners off the line up to about 80.
Pound for pound, I'd build a 300 all day long! Oh yeah, and I avg. 16+ running 60 and below, with a few bursts to 80+
Will a 300 I-6 have enough torque to move a 78 super cab on "31's, loaded down with about 2000 pounds of tools and accessories, 2000 pounds of firewood while spinning my big green alternator, power sterring pump and A/C compressor while going uphill?......if so I will start my build NOW, and will use this 300 as an "interim" motor until I am better suited for a diesel swap.
I guess Id start with my 300 block, .10 over, hyperuetectics, a 240 head for better compression and low end, an offy intake, a clifford's cam and header, and a 590cfm 4 barrel, with a duraspark distro.......... Am I on the right track? Id like to get about 350 ft lbs over a broad range out of this. Its GOTTA be able to work like an egyptian slave and handle extreme environments. (-10 degrees to 115+ degrees, idling/creeping in super low.)
Thanks all.
I guess Id start with my 300 block, .10 over, hyperuetectics, a 240 head for better compression and low end, an offy intake, a clifford's cam and header, and a 590cfm 4 barrel, with a duraspark distro.......... Am I on the right track? Id like to get about 350 ft lbs over a broad range out of this. Its GOTTA be able to work like an egyptian slave and handle extreme environments. (-10 degrees to 115+ degrees, idling/creeping in super low.)
Thanks all.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 5
From: MA
Personal take
79 F100 2wd
original 302/C4/2.75. 10-12 MPG
Rebuilt-to-stock 302 but with holley 600,headers,duals, etc. /C4/2.75 10-12 MPG
351W that belonged more in a fox mustang with a T5 than this truck, C4/3.5s 10-12 MPG
stockish 460/c6/3.25s 10-12 MPG
Built but still mild 460/C6/3.25s 10-12 MPG
Performance increased with each swap, mileage stayed the same.
Towed a 76 Lincoln on a steel deck trailer with a 460 as if nothing was there.. the 302 was down to the boards and still losing speed.
79 F100 2wd
original 302/C4/2.75. 10-12 MPG
Rebuilt-to-stock 302 but with holley 600,headers,duals, etc. /C4/2.75 10-12 MPG
351W that belonged more in a fox mustang with a T5 than this truck, C4/3.5s 10-12 MPG
stockish 460/c6/3.25s 10-12 MPG
Built but still mild 460/C6/3.25s 10-12 MPG
Performance increased with each swap, mileage stayed the same.
Towed a 76 Lincoln on a steel deck trailer with a 460 as if nothing was there.. the 302 was down to the boards and still losing speed.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
Best mileage in a gasser needs compression with quench to control detonation plus a moderate cam and well tuned carb and ignition curve. Torque comes from cubes and cam. Here is what I would like to do with mine and suggest for yours: make that 351M a 400. Add Aussi heads with matching piston for quench (TM Meyer). If the heads aren't practical/in the budget then the 390 or 400 with compression in the low 9's would be good.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
My votes with the 300 if you decide against a diesel. I've driven a stock efi 300 that got 18-20 mpg, had some real torque to. I had 4250lbs in the bed according to the scrap yard scales and the engine didn't even notice. I shifted it at 2k it just had lots of torque between idle and 2k I never had to rev farther. But anyways strong, ultra reliable, low rpm torque, decent mpg. I'd say a big radiator with electric fan if your gunna idle a lot. That goes for any engine you chose though.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: In Hastings Delton area
The Question is how much money do you want to spend and # 2 with your gearing getting more than 15 mpg is going to be hard .Personally I 'd go with the 300 6 or the 351 windsor but you would have to change bellhousings .with the 360 390 you would still have to change bellhousing .For a all out truck not worrying about gas milage I;d go with the 429 a real motor cheap horsepower.it would bolt to your trans.
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