Engine for towing
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
None of these trucks is going to be a real barn burner unless there has been work done to the engine. Even the 460's were smogged to death in the 70's. The difference in fuel economy between a 302 and 351 is about 1 mpg empty and the same loaded. The 400 will be lucky to get 10 empty and 8 loaded. The 460 will be lucky to get 9-10 empty and 6-8 loaded. There are of course variations, and some will do much better than my experiences. The FE engines are tough, but getting harder to find some parts for. The tranny's are all good except the overdrives in 79 behind the 302. Stick with the 4 spd truck tranny's and the c-6. The c-4 will tow light loads, but anything more than about 3K lbs and you will smoke it fairly quick. The 300 six is a good motor, but you will never pass anybody on a hill when loaded unless you ditch the 1bbl carb.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Indiana
Originally Posted by biz4two
As others have said, try and stick with the later years (76-79). Of course the '76 was the last year the FE's were offered (360 & 390). Also, not to worry if you find a truck that has the 390 in place of the original 360...as that is a very common upgrade. I suppose you can tell that I am pushing more the FE family...but then I have a '76 F-150 4x4 with a 390FE in place of the original 360. Love the low end torque this engine puts out. Ideal for work/towing needs.
From personal experience, towing 2000 lbs...is really "NO" problem with my setup. So you should be totally fine in a F-150.
Good luck with whatever you choose...and enjoy your new FORD!
From personal experience, towing 2000 lbs...is really "NO" problem with my setup. So you should be totally fine in a F-150.
Good luck with whatever you choose...and enjoy your new FORD!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 6
From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by maverick man
I'm with you on this one biz...I would take an FE any day over a small block. I found a 66' 390 thunderbird special 4V - 315HP stock for my 75' F150. I can't wait to hear it running in in there...........
maverick man....should be a good feeling for sure!
Back to the thread topic, I also should have mentioned the transmission (MT) and transfer case. The NP435 and T-18 are very strong and pretty much Indestructible. Super low granny first. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th are sycro'd, but 1st and reverse are not. Of course a C-6 auto is also a good choice. However, since you will be pulling, I would tend to go with the MT's. The transfer case is an easy one. Make sure it is the NP205. This has a 2:1 ratio and works extremely well with either of the transmissions listed. Plus it is an all gear driven transfer case.
As for gas mileage with an FE engine...that all depends on driving style and differential gears. I used to get 16-17 mpg consistently with my 360FE 2v unloaded driving 65mph or less on the highway (at the time that was the max speed limit). Now with my 390FE setup (a lot of modifications to enhance performance in all regards) I get 13-14 mpg at 70mph (current max limit is 75mph) or less at highway speeds unloaded. With a load it drops to about 10-11 mpg. Oh ya, I currently have 3.50 gears which was very common in the F-150's in those years.
Again, good luck with your truck!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 2
From: where the deer and antelo
I guess I'm in the minority here, but my vote goes to the 460. (you wanted the V-8) My '79 with a early 70's 460 has tons of power, gets 11-12 mpg and has that great V-8 sound.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Any 73-79 F series will tow 2000# with NO problem.
Having owned a 302 in a 73 F150 SC with an automatic that I towed with, I would stay away from that combo IF I was going to tow very much. However it DID do the job I asked it to (Prob towing around 7 or 8k) & got the load delivered.
I was always happy with the performance of my 351's both with manual & automatic trans. in any of the 78's (at least 3) I have owned.
Having owned a 302 in a 73 F150 SC with an automatic that I towed with, I would stay away from that combo IF I was going to tow very much. However it DID do the job I asked it to (Prob towing around 7 or 8k) & got the load delivered.
I was always happy with the performance of my 351's both with manual & automatic trans. in any of the 78's (at least 3) I have owned.
Last edited by Leader; Jul 12, 2004 at 04:45 AM.
