I have to admit this, as far as pep and zing, the 4.2 V6 would walk away from any other V6 truck on the market. Mine would leave a friend of mines 302 in the dust in a light to light race. (both are extended cabs with manual trans. Both 3.55 rear)As far as pulling though, the 302 or a 300 would walk all over it. Gas milage was about 16 to 17 around town and I got 24 going from here to NY with the air on and the cruise set on 75. I put 58000 miles on this truck and it was starting to nickel and dime me. I had it in the shop no less than 12 times for little things wrong with it. Thank God for the warranty. In MHO the 4.2 would be agreat motor in a car or a Ranger but it lacks in a fullsize truck. I understand that Ford also put this motor in the LD F250 as a base engine. that must be frustrating. lol.


Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6

 

Brad, They put this motor in just F-150's and Econoline vans. I can't imagine Ford saving any money with this motor. Heck even the 4.0L OHC makes 207hp. Ford should use it instead. Ford produces almost 3 times as many new V-8's as to that motor.

 

 

I just bought an 85 f150 4x4 for parts it has what I believe to be a 255... they came with a 2 barrel aluminun intake if I am not mistaken... how else can they be identifield from the 302... If anyone knows let me know. I just realized how old this thread is jeez I am so smrt.

 

As far as electronics go, I would not buy anything newer than 1983, the last year of the Duraspark-2 ignition.

 

I'm not trying to dis the 300, but have any of you guys driven a 4.2L V6? The one I drove a (2000 f-150 4x4) was definately faster than my 4bbl'd 300 in my '84. I don't think it would tow as well though. My dad rented a truck (2000s 2wd f-150 with a 4.2L and stick) to do some hauling and he said he was impressed. This is not to mention the fact that a lot of people have been getting 200k miles out of them as well.

I'm still keeping my 300 in my beater and still respecting it, but there are newer and better motors on the horizon.

btw, for the record, early 1981 f-250s have the swiss cheese frames as well.. I saw on the other day..

also, 1984 was the first year for EEC-IV and feedback carb for a 300, and I believe 85-86 were EFI for 302s. 351Ws were carbed up till 88 where they switched to FI.

My choose would be an 84-86 f-150 4x4 with a 351W being that: 84-86 had the 210HP 351W HO, hydralic clutch, and the nicer front grill. The F-250 with the 351W came with less emissions and no CATs if you want legal duals and less headaches. (I have an '85 f-250)

 

I have the 300 I-6 in my '85, very reliable. But for a combination of towing power and highway performance, I would go with the 351W.

 

I have an 1980 F-100 with a 300-6 engine. It's a great truck and it means everything to me. Haven't had any problems with the frame. Truck has about 165,000 miles and still runs great. I can get up to 85+ MPH with no problem (I've had it past the 85mph limit on the speedometer and only at 3000rpm). It redlines at 5500rpm. If I don't use a lead foot on the gaspedal it gets about 15 mpg city/18 highway. If I use a lead foot, it gets about 11 city / 13 highway. It does have a lot of low-end torque. I tend to shift it at high rpms (around 3000rpm, but I don't know if that's a normal shifting rpm). Gets up and goes pretty good. Has a lot of power for just a 300 cubic inch.

I have a 3-speed column shifter, and first gear has such a wide range (0-30mph). 2nd Gear has a range of 15mph to 50mph. 3rd has 25mph to 100mph+. High gear ratios I suppose.

Hope that helps!

 

My 83 supercab F-250 Heavey Duty (8800 GVWR) with a 300 inliner gets about 15-18 mpg as well. The best I've gotten was 21 mpg. Since it is over 8800 GVWR it is considered a "big truck", so there are no emission controls on it. It is by no means a racecar with 4:10's and a granny gear four speed, but it can pull anything. Dont expect going highway speeds with the 4:10's though (foot almost to the floor).

 

I Got and 85 short bed Reg. Cab I bought for 150, needs a lot of work. ripped the bed off with a skid steer, that was fun. She's a but rusty but not rotted. Dropped the dual tanks. I'm at school now so its just sitting at home I can't wait. Its has a 351, could that of been stock for that little truck. Plus the front suspension has dual shocks and lil blocks under the leafs in that back, is that stock or is that a lift. I've seen similar on stock suspensions but not the dual shock setup. Would it be better to go to a straight front axle, there fore swapping in better trans & transfer case. I just want to make a fun off-road truck. Just want to get a cab and have no doors, push button start with a switch panel and just a big tach. I want to always go fast so theres no need for a speedometer. I wasn't going to put doors on it, I want to just put a cage in it and put most of m money into the suspension. Like to get the longest travel I can get without sacrificing a lot of money. Just build simple things myself. Should I keep the rear leafs or plan on a 4 link. I just want to start it right anyone been through this yet

 

The 302 EFI has 170hp/275tq and with an AOD, 3.55 gears and 31" tires it gets 14mpg mixed driving and 18 - 20 on the highway.

85 was the first year for the EFI, but it was only on the 302. Someone suggested staying away, but it's not much different from the 87 - 91 trucks. Biggest difference is that things like the airbox and data connector are in different places.

80 was the first year for the new style and has alot of unique features. I would avoid them. 77 - 79 are the old style and have solid axles in the front on 4x4's. They're easier to lift if that's your thing.

351M and 400 engines were available up to 83. You'll also have a 9" up till about 83, 84 when the 8.8 took over. The 8.8 is more efficient, but I would say the 9" is stronger (not by a whole lot though IMO)

The 300 straight six is a great motor and will do 65+ on the highway. It's a tractor motor though, so don't expect to be drag racing it. They're easy to work on and seem to run forever.

Avoid any v6 engine. They don't even make good boat anchors. The 351M and 400 are gas hogs IMO. So I would look for a 300 I6, 302 or 351W engine. Auto transmissions are C6 (tough and cheap to rebuilt) and the AOD (great for highway).

The later 4x4 trucks (closer to 86) will have an aluminum chain drive transfer case. It's not as strong as the earlier stuff and has it's issues, but for most people it's fine. One of the biggest things is the oil pump, they tend to brake free and spin which stops the oil from being pumped. Things go bad pretty quickly from there.

My vote is for a 85-86 with the EFI 302. It has a modern engine with and old school look. They're still simple enough that a DIY person can fix it, but it's got the reliability of a newer car.

 

If you do get an older Ford watch out for the nylon timing gears. Some times they last, sometimes they dont. Mine jumped on my truck at 62,000 miles. I dont know the years ford used the nylon gears so just a heads up, but im pretty sure those are within the years you mentioned.

 

Does anybody realize that this thread started back in '01? I wonder what the guy finially decided to get. Some good info though in this thread.