Just beginning work on my 1976 F100 Ranger. She's got a 360 that has poor compression and needs a rebuild according to my guy Bill at Westside Classics in Eugene, Oregon. Transmission is original and needs rebuild due to no shifting in drive. 1st and 2nd gear on the column work just fine.

So.. I'm getting the tranny rebuilt, unless I decide on a new engine/tranny combo. Seen lots of good info rebuilding the 360 with parts to make it a 390.

I'd like to have this truck get as good MPG as I can, but realize it won't be great. The 302 seems underpowered for this vehicle and would require a new tranny as well. The 390 rebuild seems the way to go, but I've been given a quote of $2500 to $3000 for the rebuild, which seems like, hey just get another engine.

Any experience and ideas with this, or any tips on great Ford shops in Oregon let me know.

1976 Ford F100 Ranger
360 Big Block
Original transmission

 

Well imo if you want power and gas mileage the 360-390 c6 combo is not the way to go. Don't get me wrong o love the fe engine I own and built one. The problem is it can't pass a gas station. There are going to be a lot of people disagreeing with me but since you need a engine and transmission rebuilt buy a later model 460 with fuel injection and a over drive transmission. Get the wiring harness and fuel system.maybe a lot more expensive to start but you will get power and fuel economy , better fuel economy than the fe c6 combo. I also live in Oregon I know Paola's ( I'm very sure I spelled that wrong) engine are good they are in Oregon city. In the red soils complex around the Safeway. Any that is my opinion good luck

 

The "best" way to eke out more MPG from an FE-equipped truck is an overdrive transmission or changing to numerically lower rear gears.

Yes, a 302 is a dog in these trucks in general. Decent for a short bed/long bed that doesn't do much heavy hauling or any towing.

$2500 to $3000 is in the ballpark for a rebuild... personally, I'd ditch the stock heads and go aluminum, a 4V intake and carb, and definitely headers with dual exhaust.

 

Thanks for the info. Definitely didn't like the 302 idea. Might ditch the current engine, but want to get myself more informed so I get power, reliability and as much MPG as I can.

Appreciate your ideas, like 'em a lot.

 

Thanks, Justin. Didn't know about the 460 possibility with and OD tranny. Working on pricing out options and making a decision.

 

What about a 390 with an aftermarket efi and a e40d or 4r100 or the non electric 4 speed overdrive. Not sure on the trans to engine mounting, or if it will mount to an fe motor

 

You can't mount any overdrive automatic directly to a FE, but you can get an adapter plate here. Not cheap at $850, but it's an option.

 

It is not like you are going to be towing 5 tons with that truck anyhow. Why not consider a 5.0 or 5.8 efi w/ an overdrive tranny? I read and hear people downplay the 302 alot. I owned a 72 4x4 that had a 302 w/4 speed. While it was no speed demon it certainly had all the power it needed to go just about anywhere you pointed it offroad. And it was put into millions of Ford trucks and Broncos through the years. And no one has really ever mentioned 460 and mpg in the same sentence that knows what they are talking about.