Best Fuel Efficient Engine
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Best Fuel Efficient Engine
Hello Guys.
I will soon be fixing up a 65 Mercury M-100. Here is my problem, the original inline 6 is locked up and I don't wanna rebuild it. I will be rebuilding the V-8 I put into it and there will be perfomance parts. Now onto my engine choices. I need somthing that will get decent fuel economy. I'm talking some where around 15 mpg and the better it is the happier I will be. Since this is a high school truck it will kinda be a daily driver and my dad will pay for most of the fuel. My first choice is a 302 but i'm afraid the performance won't be justifiable with its fuel economy. But my dad wants me to get a 302. My next choice would be a 352 or 390. What kind of performance and fuel economy could I excpect from a FE. I have found multipule 390's and they are selling for good prices. Although they are all truck engines. They are 1976's and would they have EGR? Also would anything like a 351 clevland 2 barrel be ok. I wont be doing any towing or hauling, strictly driving. Most of my driving will be highway driving because I live 40 mins out of town. And for my last question would it be feasible to put my 65 on a 76 F-100 frame? What all would be invovled? Thanks P.s the way i'm a little power hungry. I want to spin my tires abit.
I will soon be fixing up a 65 Mercury M-100. Here is my problem, the original inline 6 is locked up and I don't wanna rebuild it. I will be rebuilding the V-8 I put into it and there will be perfomance parts. Now onto my engine choices. I need somthing that will get decent fuel economy. I'm talking some where around 15 mpg and the better it is the happier I will be. Since this is a high school truck it will kinda be a daily driver and my dad will pay for most of the fuel. My first choice is a 302 but i'm afraid the performance won't be justifiable with its fuel economy. But my dad wants me to get a 302. My next choice would be a 352 or 390. What kind of performance and fuel economy could I excpect from a FE. I have found multipule 390's and they are selling for good prices. Although they are all truck engines. They are 1976's and would they have EGR? Also would anything like a 351 clevland 2 barrel be ok. I wont be doing any towing or hauling, strictly driving. Most of my driving will be highway driving because I live 40 mins out of town. And for my last question would it be feasible to put my 65 on a 76 F-100 frame? What all would be invovled? Thanks P.s the way i'm a little power hungry. I want to spin my tires abit.
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
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What gearing you gonna run? 302 will get the best fuel economy. Go get a mustang gt engine and throw it in there. All the 352s 360s and 390 Ive had in a truck were at 6 to 12 mpgs. 352s were the best for mpg in my 65 f100.
Last edited by desrat; Dec 7, 2004 at 10:59 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 163
From: Central Texas
15 MPG???? Good luck! Most late model full size trucks are lucky to be in that range. A '65 M-100 is about as aerodynamic as a brick! (Cool truck though) A well tuned 5.0 Mustang motor and AOD, as John suggests, will be your best bet. A 3.08 rear gear would also be recommended. Don't count on 15 MPG though.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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A 351W would be a good choice, better fuel economy than any FE could get. I like the extra torq of the 351 over the 302 to get our big trucks moving. An overdrive tranny and 3.08s as previously suggested would get you close to that goal of 15. My dads 69 bronco with a 351w and 4 spd toploader gets around 18 so it is possible.
As a side note, my wifes 03 fx4 f-150 xcab with a 5.4 only gets around 12 city and 16 highway. Good luck gettin the Merc on the road! That is going to be a really nice high school runner. I had a prerunner style 65 stepside with a 351W in highschool. 4.56 gears and 33 inch tires with a c-4 = 9mpg, but gas was only $1.10 a gallon in the early 90's!
As a side note, my wifes 03 fx4 f-150 xcab with a 5.4 only gets around 12 city and 16 highway. Good luck gettin the Merc on the road! That is going to be a really nice high school runner. I had a prerunner style 65 stepside with a 351W in highschool. 4.56 gears and 33 inch tires with a c-4 = 9mpg, but gas was only $1.10 a gallon in the early 90's!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Northern, Va
Ok, my 65 sb,cc. w 3.54 rear axle 3speed auto 4bbl. & eldbrock intake, w/ 352 stroker I got 14-15.5 mpg running 50- 55 mph on the interstate coming from ala. to va on dec. 04 now stroker is 352 block w/ 390 crank & rods with .030 bore & 352 pistons . this is what I was told it has I'll take it apart & check it in the spring for sure !
Don
Don
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Thanks
Ya
The truck I have is sharp but I have to get some fuel effeciency. So you guys think I should find a 5.0 mustang engine and throw it in there. What kind of mileage would I get and what are the horspower and torque figures. What would be the approximate engine cost. I'm open to all options, I have a full industrial shop to myself. My dad owns semi's and he is doing all the mechanical so i'm sure I could do losta suff.
Thanks
The truck I have is sharp but I have to get some fuel effeciency. So you guys think I should find a 5.0 mustang engine and throw it in there. What kind of mileage would I get and what are the horspower and torque figures. What would be the approximate engine cost. I'm open to all options, I have a full industrial shop to myself. My dad owns semi's and he is doing all the mechanical so i'm sure I could do losta suff.
Thanks
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,218
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From: Parkville, MO (KC)
I get 19.5 mpg in my 65 F-100 on the highway. But sorry to get your hopes up -- it has the 240 I6 engine (probly the same one that you have that is locked up). And that's with small tires (205/75R15). And, yes, I have corrected the mileage for actual miles.
I have plenty of power to get done what I do, but I like to keep my rubber on my tires and not in long black streaks on the pavement.
I have plenty of power to get done what I do, but I like to keep my rubber on my tires and not in long black streaks on the pavement.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Gresham, OR
I hade a ford with a 400M that was really good gas milage, but was under powered. Also hade a 390 good power, but it could suck down the gas.
Have the '64 with 302 and I am getting better gas milage that my compact car and that is odd.
Have the '64 with 302 and I am getting better gas milage that my compact car and that is odd.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Chad, Ya got the sap rising in the guys here. 
Since the 302 was your first choice, and me guessing that your truck had a 3.75 rear ratio I think that is the better choice. Should give you a little punch and economeny.
Paul I disagree with your rear choice. These overdrives make large step gear reductions. A 3.08 could be dropped to something like 2.25 and that would strangle the 302. I have just put a 92 F150 on the road with the combo above mentioned and a 3.55 rear ratio. 2000 rpms is running a little over 70 mph. This is a computer controlled fuel injected engine. A carburated one won't have that benefit so I'm thinking he'll need at least 3.75 with the 302 to keep it in it's powerband, and any hopes of mpgs.
Don, I don't think I have ever heard of that engine setup before. I can't imagine anyone having a 390 crank and not drilling the block to make a 390 out of it.
Yall stay warm now
John
Since the 302 was your first choice, and me guessing that your truck had a 3.75 rear ratio I think that is the better choice. Should give you a little punch and economeny.Paul I disagree with your rear choice. These overdrives make large step gear reductions. A 3.08 could be dropped to something like 2.25 and that would strangle the 302. I have just put a 92 F150 on the road with the combo above mentioned and a 3.55 rear ratio. 2000 rpms is running a little over 70 mph. This is a computer controlled fuel injected engine. A carburated one won't have that benefit so I'm thinking he'll need at least 3.75 with the 302 to keep it in it's powerband, and any hopes of mpgs.
Don, I don't think I have ever heard of that engine setup before. I can't imagine anyone having a 390 crank and not drilling the block to make a 390 out of it.
Yall stay warm now
John
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Dallas, Looks like ya have a Y block engine, probably stock 292. Sorry no mustang heads there buddy. You boys get in those peeing contests with them airhead bowtie owners and all kinda things start coming out of ye mouths.
The Y block is mounted at the front of the engine and front of the tranny. The 302 is a side mount, rear tranny support. You can buy mount kits or fab your own. I think a C4 is a better choice with a 302 because it doesn't rob as much power as a C6.
John
The Y block is mounted at the front of the engine and front of the tranny. The 302 is a side mount, rear tranny support. You can buy mount kits or fab your own. I think a C4 is a better choice with a 302 because it doesn't rob as much power as a C6.
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Illinois
we built a 63 F100 for my son to drive to high school dailly. We used a 302 and AOD from a 88 Ford van. We removed the EFI and installed an Edelbrock intake and Holley 600 carb. It gets 15-16 mpg. He does not tow anything or even haul much in his truck. If you used the EFI in one, I don't see why you couldn't get around 20 mpg.
I have to agree with John that the AOD needs more gears than 3.08's. My son's has 3.25 gears because I didn't want him constantly burning off the right rear wheel. Now that he is in college, and only uses truck for recreational driving to shows and cruises, I want him to put in either 3.50 or 3.70 gears to take advantage of the overdrive.
I have to agree with John that the AOD needs more gears than 3.08's. My son's has 3.25 gears because I didn't want him constantly burning off the right rear wheel. Now that he is in college, and only uses truck for recreational driving to shows and cruises, I want him to put in either 3.50 or 3.70 gears to take advantage of the overdrive.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,230
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From: East Flat Rock NC
[QUOTE=TremecGT]A 351W would be a good choiceQUOTE]
A 351w would make good power, and gas milage ,I feel would be better than a
302 or 240/300 inline six. And there are lots of good parts out there for these
engines (new and used ).
P.S. Welcome to (FTE)
A 351w would make good power, and gas milage ,I feel would be better than a
302 or 240/300 inline six. And there are lots of good parts out there for these
engines (new and used ).
P.S. Welcome to (FTE)
Last edited by Pro-Street/StateTK; Dec 9, 2004 at 04:11 PM.
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Hi
Hey
The truck has 3.73 rear gears or close to that. I just found a very good 352 with a 4 speed out of a old slick. Would that be somewhat fuel efficient. And when I said I wanted to spin my tires I didn't mean all the time, just want a little power. About the I-6 I don't think I could use it because it would have to spin a crazy rpms to do 100 kms a hour. Because the low gear ratio. Now about a 351 windsor, that would make a good truck engine wouldn't it? I also found a 351 cleveland 2 barrel. I figure that wouldn't be horrible on fuel. I just wan't to be able to keep up with a 350 chevy. Another thing would limited slip be better for turning. Or should I go straight to posi. I might change the rear end. Thanks
The truck has 3.73 rear gears or close to that. I just found a very good 352 with a 4 speed out of a old slick. Would that be somewhat fuel efficient. And when I said I wanted to spin my tires I didn't mean all the time, just want a little power. About the I-6 I don't think I could use it because it would have to spin a crazy rpms to do 100 kms a hour. Because the low gear ratio. Now about a 351 windsor, that would make a good truck engine wouldn't it? I also found a 351 cleveland 2 barrel. I figure that wouldn't be horrible on fuel. I just wan't to be able to keep up with a 350 chevy. Another thing would limited slip be better for turning. Or should I go straight to posi. I might change the rear end. Thanks