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Best overall around engine
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,530
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The 289's I had in my '65 Mustang. Ran the daylights out of the 2bbl, including towing a small trailer to Cal from Washington during which the timing chain jumped, making for an all nighter to fix.... And hauling a double axle UHaul trailer out of El Centro to San Diego. 3.0's and 3 speed. The 2nd had a cam, a tiny 4bbl and headers, and 10.5:1 forged pistons and a 4 speed. Ran the whee out of it...
Sure my 300 six runs good, but the 289 still gets my vote.
Sure my 300 six runs good, but the 289 still gets my vote.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
best engine overall
You guys are kidding, right ? This can't really be a question. The answer is obvious- the 390 FE. It does everything well. I would be happy with it in a truck, a mustang, in anything. That was Ford's best. DF
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Central Kali
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I am a bit partial, but I would have to say the 300-6. At the very least, it's the best base engine ever made, has great power off the line, and I have seen one exceed 300,000 miles with no problems. Of course, if you modify them, they get even better. The 300-6 in my 84 F-250 4x4 had a 240 head, 8.7:1 pistons (making for 9.5:1 compression), a Motorcraft 2BBL, Offey intake, EFI dual exhaust manifolds, true dual exhaust, a DUI distributor, and possibly an RV cam. Overall, about 215hp. In a lifted truck with 36's and the airodynamics of a brick, pulling a trailer with a total GCVW of nearly 12,000lbs, it did very well. Going up the mountains in Idaho, my speed never dropped below 35, and in Ontario I was able to keep up with traffic at speeds signifigantly over the posted limits.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 21
The 4.0L V6 in my Aerostar, has over 150,000 miles on it and doesn't even go thru a quart of oil between 5,000 mile changes. It was even run with no coolant in the engine after a hose was cut. Wish I could be confident I'll get that out of my 4.6L V8 Duratech??? thats in my pickup.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 3
From: Centerville, Iowa
300 Six gets the cake, though I've been fairly impressed with my little Windsor pal so far.
The 350 is greatest only when it comes to SOUND. I hope my 302 can sound 90% as good as a 350 does when it gets its new set of lungs ^_^. I need exhaust....
The 350 is greatest only when it comes to SOUND. I hope my 302 can sound 90% as good as a 350 does when it gets its new set of lungs ^_^. I need exhaust....
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
I'm with DF. The answer is obvious. The 390FE, and the FE family in general, when properly built, is bullet proof.
A close second is the 4.0L V6. Aside from the occasional head crack, which causes it to be rated second, it's dead nuts reliable. Mine has close to 202,000 miles on the stock bottom end, still running well. The heads were welded for a crack at 120,000 miles. I wish World Products made heads for it like they make 2.9L heads.
A close second is the 4.0L V6. Aside from the occasional head crack, which causes it to be rated second, it's dead nuts reliable. Mine has close to 202,000 miles on the stock bottom end, still running well. The heads were welded for a crack at 120,000 miles. I wish World Products made heads for it like they make 2.9L heads.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 3
From: Centerville, Iowa
Originally Posted by rusty70f100
The 390FE, and the FE family in general, when properly built, is bullet proof.
I will say that from m findings, the FE series is probably the most reliable V8, most bulletproof.
An odd ball to throw in here would be the Vulcan 3.0 V6. Aside from Water pump replacements every 80-100 thousand miles, occasional sensor acting up, and their TFI module blowing out - none of which have to do with the engine itself - these engines are good for a couple hundred thousand. Easy. I had one, it never got ****ed off except when I didn't drive it for a month and the oil TRIED to navigate the heads. It was ticking pretty good for a 6 or 7 minutes...then it was just fine like always.