Any years to avoid?
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Junior User
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Any years to avoid?
Hey folks, in my hunt for a Ford pickup under $1000, I found quite a few 77-83 models with 302s and 351s. I was wondering if there were any particular years to avoid or years that had problems?
Thanx
Thanx
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Junior User
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Any years to avoid?
BTW, I'm asking because I seem to remember that Mustangs with V8s were particularly low on horsepower somewhere around 79-81 model years.
So, I was wondering if Ford pickups had any particular years that people tend to avoid.
Thanx
So, I was wondering if Ford pickups had any particular years that people tend to avoid.
Thanx
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 334
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Any years to avoid?
It all depends on what you want as far as engines and horsepower. This is just my opinion, but it you're looking for a 302, you might consider a 300 I-6 instead. They put out impressive torque and get much better mileage than the 302.
One other thing you might want to do if you're looking for an easy-to-maintain truck is get something from the era before electronics and if it is allowable in your area you might want to look for something without all the emissions junk on it.
The '80 models have been maligned for having a weak frame so you might want to keep that in mind as well.
My dream trucks are a 75 highboy with a 390 and a 81-86 4x4 with a 300.
Good luck in your search. I'm certain someone else will be able to give you more detailed information on the advantages and disadvantages of the various years.
Nate
1964 F-100 Custom Cab 292 V-8 3 spd
1964 F-100 292 V-8 3 spd
1990 F-150 5.8L
Check out http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/fordpickups61to66fseries
One other thing you might want to do if you're looking for an easy-to-maintain truck is get something from the era before electronics and if it is allowable in your area you might want to look for something without all the emissions junk on it.
The '80 models have been maligned for having a weak frame so you might want to keep that in mind as well.
My dream trucks are a 75 highboy with a 390 and a 81-86 4x4 with a 300.
Good luck in your search. I'm certain someone else will be able to give you more detailed information on the advantages and disadvantages of the various years.
Nate
1964 F-100 Custom Cab 292 V-8 3 spd
1964 F-100 292 V-8 3 spd
1990 F-150 5.8L
Check out http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/fordpickups61to66fseries
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Junior User
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Any years to avoid?
Thanks!
That is just the kind of info I'm looking for. So the 1980 model had a weak frame.
How much horsepower does the 300 have? I want to be able to get up to 65 on the highway with no problem and without a lot of hassle.
Do you know what years were best before they started adding electronics and all the smog stuff? I definately want to avoid that as much as possible.
Thanx
That is just the kind of info I'm looking for. So the 1980 model had a weak frame.
How much horsepower does the 300 have? I want to be able to get up to 65 on the highway with no problem and without a lot of hassle.
Do you know what years were best before they started adding electronics and all the smog stuff? I definately want to avoid that as much as possible.
Thanx
Posting Guru
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Any years to avoid?
the 80-86's had squared off wheel openings. this can help to promote rust. i would also avoid first year or so of fuel injected. watch not to buy 203 transfer case(70's).
other than that, there are lots of old fords out there, so it says something.
other than that, there are lots of old fords out there, so it says something.
Elder User
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From: Georgia
Any years to avoid?
The 300-6 had about 120 hp before EFI. After it was around 150. It has more torque than the 302( not sure actual numbers) Therefore can pull nearly anything you hook it to, but don't expect to do it very fast. Getting to 65 should not be a problem, though.
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From: Virginia
Any years to avoid?
I wouldn't worry about what to buy for 1000 because you are not
going to have much to pick from. 2wd maybe, 4x4 for 1000 is
definitly going to be a fixer upper.
going to have much to pick from. 2wd maybe, 4x4 for 1000 is
definitly going to be a fixer upper.
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From: Campbell River, BC Canada
Any years to avoid?
In 1980 the trucks with the week frames have holes punched out of the frame. They did this because the trucks were supposedly to heavy. When the frames all started snapping in half they decided that they better stop this. In 1986 they started putting in Electronic Fuel Injection into the F-series. I purchased a 1986 F150 4x4 no options except intermitend wipers. I paid $1000 canadian it and all it really need it was a hole lot of Body work. It has a 302 with a 4speed auto with Overdrive. You should be able to find a few deals like this around maybe not a dealership but a private sale. I would go for the 351W it has way more power then the 302 and burns about the same amount of gas. In the late 70 they had a 400 big block and these had tons of power. the stopped putting them in, in 1980 I believe. I hope this helps you out.
Canadian Ford Man
Canadian Ford Man
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Any years to avoid?
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 02-Mar-01 AT 01:57 AM (EST)[/font][p]Hey, oldblue18, where are you getting your info?:"The 300-6 had about 120 hp before EFI. After it was around 150. It has more torque than the 302( not sure actual numbers)"'
It made close, but more? I thought it under cut the 302 by a few ft-lbs (five if my memory serves me)
I admit they may be CAPABLE of more torque (they kinda resemble a diesel in they way size is used) but they weren't made that way. think of how hard that would be for the salesman who wanted the extra cash from selling a v-8 off the showroom floor!
1989 F-150 : 5.0, shorty headers, Flowmaster cat-back, K&N filtercharger intake, March pulleys, "Multi-brand" performance ignition, soon to be Mass-Air...doesn't know she's not a Mustang
It made close, but more? I thought it under cut the 302 by a few ft-lbs (five if my memory serves me)
I admit they may be CAPABLE of more torque (they kinda resemble a diesel in they way size is used) but they weren't made that way. think of how hard that would be for the salesman who wanted the extra cash from selling a v-8 off the showroom floor!
1989 F-150 : 5.0, shorty headers, Flowmaster cat-back, K&N filtercharger intake, March pulleys, "Multi-brand" performance ignition, soon to be Mass-Air...doesn't know she's not a Mustang
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Nebraska
Any years to avoid?
I bought a 80 f150 4x4 for a thou a few months back. It was a rustbomb with a good 351. I ended up purchasing a different truck because it turned into a daily driver and the 6-7mpg is expensive. I switched to a 93 with the 4.9 and It has plenty of power and has no problems going 75mph. (3.55 rear).
For the $1000 range I would go with a 78-79. My cousin has a few of these and they seem like alot tougher truck. (thicker sheetmetal, less rust).
http://members.tccoa.com/charlez/truckmain.jpg
For the $1000 range I would go with a 78-79. My cousin has a few of these and they seem like alot tougher truck. (thicker sheetmetal, less rust).
http://members.tccoa.com/charlez/truckmain.jpg
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Any years to avoid?
Wow, only 6-7 mpg with a 351? I would've thought one could get at least 10-11 from a 351 and 13-14 with a 302.
Does anyone have engine specs for the 300 6, 302 & 351 v8 in terms of mpg, hp, and torque? (77-85 model years)
Thanx
Does anyone have engine specs for the 300 6, 302 & 351 v8 in terms of mpg, hp, and torque? (77-85 model years)
Thanx
Elder User
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From: Stanton, Suffolk England
Any years to avoid?
"In the late 70 they had a 400 big block and these had tons of power. the stopped putting them in, in 1980 I believe. I hope this helps you out."
According to everything I have read or seen Ford dropped the 400 for the 1983 model year. (I'll look again though it may be 82)
Take it easy.
Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6
According to everything I have read or seen Ford dropped the 400 for the 1983 model year. (I'll look again though it may be 82)
Take it easy.Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6
Postmaster
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From: Lee's Summit MO
Any years to avoid?
the 302 had around 140hp and 245ft/lbs of torque. The 351m had 150hp and 285ft/lbs of torque. The 300 had 130hp and 230ft/lbs of torque.
The 300 has darn close torque but LESS than the 302 and the 351M get's considerably LESS mileage than the 302.
The 300 has darn close torque but LESS than the 302 and the 351M get's considerably LESS mileage than the 302.