I have pretty much given up on any new engine, from what I can see anything built in the last ten years or more is built to spend more time in shop than on the road. So I have decided to build the engine that I want. What I would like to do with a 4.9 is essentially what Ford did for the 3.5. The problem is although I know a lot about engines (I was a certified master mechanic...in 1985) I have never really worked on something like this. I want a bulletproof engine that can pull a heavy load but get better than 10 MPG when daily driving. I am thinking a high torque cam with a mild 8-10lb turbo boost should give me what I want. But I don't know how these things are done I will probably put in in a 3/4-ton crew cab. with a 4-speed auto. I would appreciate any input from anyone that has any experience with this kind of thing.

Thanks

 

well I would use a idi 6.9 or 7.3 diesel with the 5 speed 354 gear with the standard tire size. mine got 19 mpg average and pulled 40' 5th wheel fine.
on the 6cly you have a good plan but the 5 speed of the 1990s was overdrive in 5th makes all the difference in mpg. 411 gear gives ton of power but takes lot of fuel

 

Willing to do efi?

 

Flat tappet cams have become unreliable, and most cam manufacturers will not offer a flat tappet cam once their 300 six cam core inventory is gone.
We have switched to roller cams and hope to have a hydraulic roller cam selection by the end of this year.

What type of driving will this engine see. Back roads and interstate? MPH? Hills?

 

Check out this thread on his build and what he is pulling with 300.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...storation.html

If you want to go turbo I would pick up a few books on it if you have not already to read up on it.
I take it you have seen the Hot Rod TV where they turbo a 300 six?
Dave ----

 

I believe Summit sells the turbo kit setup for the Ford 300 Six.
I would like to boost my 300 with a minimum of 6-psi Boost, _ _ _ or more.
500 hp or better like the Frenchtown Flyer 300 six dragster with three 520cfm Holley 2-bbl carbs comes alive.

A friend's son runs a GM 8.1L GMC 2500 gasser which he said out-pulls his 12-valve Cummins with six-speed.
mY '07 Chev 2500 series with 3:73 final gearing struggles with the 8k Toyhauler climbing into the Sierra's.

10-lbs Boost WILL give you what you want maybe, depending on camshaft, gearing and weight.
I live in a mountainous area with summits up to 8.500 feet, so I run 4:10's.
Cruising downhill out of the mountains into the valley below is a Piece-of-Cake for the tow vehicle.

 

so what mpg do you get with a turbo added?

 

i have seen the Hot Rod TV 300 I6 build, and I know you can get crazy power out of a 4.9, but I am looking for a moderate increase in towing capacity, while still being able to use the truck as a daily driver without breaking my wallet.

 

Are you still wanting to turbocharge the engine or just build a strong naturally aspirated engine?

All strong Ford 300 six engine builds start with the Promaxx CNC ported head.
They come with hard valve seats for both the intake and exhaust valves and have extra material in places where the stock heads normally crack.
After that I recommend a hydraulic roller cam and lifters from Straub Technologies for longevity and performance.
The roller cams are excepted to be available in January 2025

 

Good morning Robert,
My '77 F350 Longbed CrewCab picikup is powered by a Greaser-built Ford 300-Six "mini-cummins-gasser."
I paid to have the rotating assembly professionally balanced with early hyper pistons and Comp Cam valve train.
In my opinion, if I were to install the Summit Racing turbo-kit, I would be running max boost climbing into the Sierra Nevada mountains, because it is a long-arduous pull.
How long of a grade can a guy run max-boost ? _ _ _ that Depends upon several factors & boost pressures.

BOOST WORKS _ _ _ _ _
I drove a 2002 Subaru WRX wagon for 14-years, and the turbo boost Works.
I drove a 1995 GMC 2500 Suburban with 6.5L turbo-diesel for 15-yrs, ran odo up to 295K, and it was quite gutless.
The GM 6.5L diesel runs high-compression / Low boost, unlike most other diesels running Low-Comp and High-Boost.

There are Differences to consider.

Therefore, the Ford 300 will be like the Cummins (low comp and high boost) compared to the 21:1 comp of the 6.5L Gm. diesel.

Makes me wonder just how the boosted engines control detonation knock.

Choices _ _ _ _ _

 

Greaser007 I had a 86 GM with the 6.2 NA diesel and at 100k installed a Gail Banks turbo kit and it ran like a gasser till I sold it with 230K on the clock.
I think the 6.2 was 22:1 I dont remember what the max boost was as that was a long time ago LOL

I always thought when boosting a gas motor you started with low compression and only added boost to the point just below problems?
Dave ----

 

Gearing is your friend in this... I have and have had a few 300's, all returned 16 mpg and up, my 79 F250 4x avg 18+ mpg when I drove it 1800 miles to MO, it has NP435/4.10's and 33's, my 66 F250 had same except 31's and it was always in the 16's, I towed my 63 F250 4x home with it, and I had to drop to 3rd on the long grade heading up from William Sell bridge, not sure of total weight, but guessing appx 8500-9000# for 63 truck/trailer combo.. hauled a van filled with scrap from a neighbors place on the same trailer with my 66 and scales said I was 13,000# GVW I stayed at 60 or under and was pleased with how he did. I also moved all of my garage and trucks up from OC when I moved to the mtns with it, handled the Grapevine just fine at 55-60 loaded w/77 VW on trailer and bed filled with tool boxes.

Personally, I'm not a fan of automatics, not sure if you can get a ZF5 to mate to a 300, but that would seem like a good combo, I had a good cam in my 66, I do not recall the grind, my machine shop guy that did the balancing got the cam for me, he used to race the 300's, off idle to about 1500rpms was great, and then after 1500 it was awesome, had Offy intake with Holley 390 cfm on all of mine, tried an Edlebrock 600 but wasn't a fan.

I've seen the turbo kit from Summit, just don't have that disposable $$ for it, yet...

 

16 MPG...WOW! I get around 10 at best and where I live is flat. And due to needing new tires she has not run over 50 MPH.

I'm guessing the 3 speed is killing me. 😂

 

The 3 speed is still 1:1 in 3rd... same as my NP435 or T18, what is your axle ratio..? When I fist got my 66 F100 going with the 240, I thought it was just worn out, couldn't pull a hill, got maybe 10-12, pulled the 9" and found I had 3.00's, swapped to 3.70's and WOW! So much more fun to drive, lots of pep (for a 240 ) and my mileage jumped to 18.

I would pull your 9" and see what your ratio is, I run 265/70/15's and the 3.70's put my speedo spot on with GPS...

 

What RPM @ MPH are you guys turning?

I AVG 15 MPG and that is either direct or over drive at 65-70 MPH.
I have pulled 17 MPG a few times just dont know how I did it

81 F100 flare side, 4x2, 300> Advance Adapter over drive> NP435> 2.75 rear gear> 235 x 75R x 15
In over drive at 70 MPH I turn 1800 RPM in direct it is 2500 RPM
BTW back when the truck was built the max speed limit was 55 MPH and in 1:1 the RPM was 1800 same as my 70 MPH RPM in over drive
Dave ----