300 vs 302
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
300 vs 302
I’ve always been a big fan of inline 6’s. My ‘92 F-150 w/5.0 and 3.55 gears is a slug for towing. My ‘93 F-150 I6 with 520,000 miles and 2.75 rear smokes, leaks oil, and still pulls my trailer better. I am entertaining thoughts of an engine swap in the ‘92 and have an affordable lead on a 300/6. I’d prefer to not go with a larger engine than it has now. Which would you prefer.... a fresh 300/6 or a fresh 5.0?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 397
Likes: 2
I’ve always been a big fan of inline 6’s. My ‘92 F-150 w/5.0 and 3.55 gears is a slug for towing. My ‘93 F-150 I6 with 520,000 miles and 2.75 rear smokes, leaks oil, and still pulls my trailer better. I am entertaining thoughts of an engine swap in the ‘92 and have an affordable lead on a 300/6. I’d prefer to not go with a larger engine than it has now. Which would you prefer.... a fresh 300/6 or a fresh 5.0?
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
The 300 definitely does a little better with towing than the 302. You will probably be happier with the I6 since you already favor it over the 2. Personally I love the sound of a push rod V8. I have had an 85 with carbed 351, a 95 with 300, a 95 and now a 94 both with 302. My choice is a 351 swap for my current truck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 217
From: Northern VA
Looks like envalve is no longer in business. I would pick the 300 over the 302 for work/ actual light truck duties. The 302 is good for a commuter or toy truck that you just want to sound good.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
The 300 definitely does a little better with towing than the 302. You will probably be happier with the I6 since you already favor it over the 2. Personally I love the sound of a push rod V8. I have had an 85 with carbed 351, a 95 with 300, a 95 and now a 94 both with 302. My choice is a 351 swap for my current truck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 946
Likes: 186
From: Carnation, Wah
There isn't an easy way to increase the 6's displacement, is there?
Turbo!
I too have a respect for that engine- torque for days, super durable.
And very inexpensive to rebuild, if you start with a good candidate.
Mine has 3.55 gears, which seem to be a decent balance between
mileage and towing with 31" tairs...
t
Turbo!
I too have a respect for that engine- torque for days, super durable.
And very inexpensive to rebuild, if you start with a good candidate.
Mine has 3.55 gears, which seem to be a decent balance between
mileage and towing with 31" tairs...
t
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 735
Likes: 8
From: NC
I've an I6 and love it, my buddy has a 302 he likes his engine but has often commented that he wished he had the I6 while towing his camper. I've 3.08's in the truck and it does pretty well on the highway for mileage given it's age and miles on the clock.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
A 5.0 is going to be the easiest to put back in and getting significantly more HP and torque than what the existing motor generates isn't hard or expensive, that will make for a much better towing experience. Of course there is no way a 5.0 will generate fat low rpm torque so it's going to be a different experience than an I6 and if that is what the OP is after then the decision is already made, but that is a bigger project with the need to change the frame towers and mounts, alter the exhaust, change the rad and hoses, and source a complete 4.9 EFI engine with all accessories and a complete engine bay 4.9 wiring harness and PCM.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
I replaced my 300 because it was hemorrhaging oil out from every possible area due to excessive blow-by. From the time the oil leaks started, first the bottom side cover, then the oil pan, then the top valve cover...I was just chasing leaks all over. The oil started seeping past the head gasket and mix in with the coolant. Blown-by pressure caused oil to travel through the breathing tube into the air box. The final death knell was when the PCV valve kept blowing out. The resulting oil spray from the rear was ignited by a small crack in the rear of the exhaust manifold which resulted in a fire that burnt part of the rear engine harness.
Anyway, since I am more partial to v8s I decided on a v8 swap and if I was going that route I would have preferred a Lightning motor...but those aren’t very plentiful so I had to settle for a regular 351.
Anyway, since I am more partial to v8s I decided on a v8 swap and if I was going that route I would have preferred a Lightning motor...but those aren’t very plentiful so I had to settle for a regular 351.
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Blow by
Say man I know I’m a little late but how did it die due to blow by? My 4.9 i6 300 has bad bad blow by. I have a old empty quart of oil can with the oil breather tube down the neck instead of it going to the air box
