300/6 vs 302
#1
10-18-2018, 11:37 PM
300/6 vs 302
I have a 1954 Ford f100. I was recently gifted a 1990 f150 with an in-line 6 300 engine. We originally were going to put a 302 but now considering the 300/6. I’m reading good stuff about the 300/6, but that parts are more expensive. If you had the choice, which engine would you pick and why?
This is my first swap so apologies if any of my questions are elementary.
This is my first swap so apologies if any of my questions are elementary.
#2
10-19-2018, 01:48 AM
#3
10-19-2018, 07:28 AM
Fleet Mechanic
#4
10-19-2018, 07:44 AM
Laughing Gas
#5
10-19-2018, 10:14 AM
I have a 1954 Ford f100. I was recently gifted a 1990 f150 with an in-line 6 300 engine. We originally were going to put a 302 but now considering the 300/6. I’m reading good stuff about the 300/6, but that parts are more expensive. If you had the choice, which engine would you pick and why?
This is my first swap so apologies if any of my questions are elementary.
This is my first swap so apologies if any of my questions are elementary.
What became the Ford 240/300/4.9 "Big Six", was designed by a Hudson engineer to be the OHV replacement for the famous Hornet 6. Hudson merged with I believe Nash in 1953 or so and the Hudson line was gutted. 53 or 54 was the last year for a real Hudson if I remember correctly. Ford bought that engine design.....
Anyway the 300 is a good one.
The biggest issue will be the length of the engine. I don't own a 53-56 but I do own an F1. It is possible to run the 300 in the F1 with a mechanical fan. The radiator would have to be moved forward oh so slightly and a short fan spacer used. actually the overall length is very close to a SBF which tends to be a long V8. It may fit a 56 fine.
Mounts....
After market tube mounts for a FE report-ably fits the 300 I6 perfectly.
Transmission....
Anything that fits behind a SBF will fit a 300.
A very rare part is a 300 bellhousing with 53-64 mounting ears that fits the SBF and 300. These were used in 65 up big trucks.....
The 1990 300 is EFI and has no provision for a mechanical fuel pump. It's possible to drill out the old fuel pump boss and install a mechanical pump if you change cams.
Offenhauser makes 4bbl intakes for these.
Even though the 1990 has the split exhaust manifolds, the "heavy duty truck" exhaust manifold flows really well and it has the manifold heat, needed.
It's a really good engine. It's not a high RPM engine but it is superb in it's power and torque range.
In the EFI era, Ford purposely "de-tuned" this engine so it would not out perform the higher optioned 5.0.
#6
10-19-2018, 11:08 AM
#7
10-21-2018, 02:05 PM
The 300 is a great engine. I don't buy the argument that parts are more expensive. Some are but others are the same. And you have to figure there are fewer parts in a 300. 6 pistons instead of 8, 12 lifters, push rods and rocker arms, valves instead of 16, 6 Connecting rods instead of 8. And with some research, you can use certain V8 parts.
The 300 is a simple, reliable, tough engine. They have timing gears instead of a timing chain. They are a good engine to learn on.
They can be built/modified to do just about anything. If you want a mild driver/tow vehicle, they can do that. If you want to have a fun hot rod engine they can do that. If you want to go wild and build them into a drag race engine, they can do that. But you should be realistic. The more power you want out of them, the more it will cost. But a lot of that also depends on how much of the work you can do yourself.
Hang out on the inline 6 forum to learn more on them or if you have any engine questions. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum52/
The 300 will fit in the 53-56 truck without any major issues. You don't need to modify the firewall. Moving the radiator forward does give more room and is pretty simple to do. You can use the Trans-dapt FE big block V8 engine swap cross member along with the 65-79 Ford truck motor mounts for the 300. And then use an aftermarket transmission cross member that's fits whichever transmission you are going to use. If you are willing to run a electric cooling fan you will avoid the biggest headache of the swap. The only real clearance issue, is if you want to run a mechanical cooling fan. Depending on what fan you run. The fan may actually hit the front frame cross member under the radiator.
The 300 is a simple, reliable, tough engine. They have timing gears instead of a timing chain. They are a good engine to learn on.
They can be built/modified to do just about anything. If you want a mild driver/tow vehicle, they can do that. If you want to have a fun hot rod engine they can do that. If you want to go wild and build them into a drag race engine, they can do that. But you should be realistic. The more power you want out of them, the more it will cost. But a lot of that also depends on how much of the work you can do yourself.
Hang out on the inline 6 forum to learn more on them or if you have any engine questions. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum52/
The 300 will fit in the 53-56 truck without any major issues. You don't need to modify the firewall. Moving the radiator forward does give more room and is pretty simple to do. You can use the Trans-dapt FE big block V8 engine swap cross member along with the 65-79 Ford truck motor mounts for the 300. And then use an aftermarket transmission cross member that's fits whichever transmission you are going to use. If you are willing to run a electric cooling fan you will avoid the biggest headache of the swap. The only real clearance issue, is if you want to run a mechanical cooling fan. Depending on what fan you run. The fan may actually hit the front frame cross member under the radiator.
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cwatkin
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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