Well, dont know where to start.....

Vehicle: 72 F100 4x2; alt only
Usage: Weekend cruiser - performance w/mileage
Basic expectations: good get-up & go, fairly quiet, economic (18-25 highway-60-70) (87-91 octane), DEPENDABLE

This is my project truck, no towing, racing, or mudding. I just want something I can get in and drive around from time to time. I want to be able to pass if needed, accelerate nicely, and drive by gas stations without stopping. Also, I dont have emmissions testing yet, although I would like to keep EGR. (I think, what exactly does it do?) I also dont want to draw too much attention. (cops, rich teens with something to prove, idiots in general.....)

My question is, what would be the best (ideal) drivetrain combo for my truck? Currently this truck has the original 302/3 on the tree and original rear. I dont know the gear #s.

I would be interested in a 300, 302/351. Probably RUG OD (keeping column shifter), or 3spd/C-4 with Gear Venders OD unit. I have an extra 302, 351W minus block, and C-4 off the Windsor, and 2 more sets of 9-inch rears. I will probably run 235/75 15s or 30x9.50 15s. I am looking at an 89 F150 4.9/ZF 5spd/t-case (dont know which one) for parts for my 84 Ranger.

I am looking at 8k total for the truck. About 5k is budgeted for the drivetrain. I will do all disassembly/reassembly and porting/polishing myself. I would like to keep the engine about 1800-2600 cruise; 1400-4200 operating range. Probably (XE)260/268 CompCams.

Which would be the best set-up? Engines-cam, carb/intake, exhaust, CR: Trans-type/rear gear/OD ratio: Estimated cost for each.

All help appreciated. This thread will remain active for a while, it will be winter B4 I get to really work on it.

 

I'd go with a mild 351w (maybe 250 horse). Call comp and tell them what you are going to do and what you expect. They will help you pick the right cam. Then call Edelbrock or Jegs and order the carb. A good spread bore (read q-jet) 4bbl is in order. 600CFM is more than enough. Then get an AOD trans to mate to it with 3:55 or 3:73 gears and 235/75R15 tires. That will yield 17 to 18 highway. (had that setup in my '92 E150)

 

Moved to proper forum.

 

How do you figure "proper"? All three engines were manufactured more than these 5 years, and the donor 6er may be from an 89, I can pick up EFI systems for $25 off 85-95ish engines, so does that count the newer tech out?

I understand the body, but in restomod drivetrain and chassis are two different classes.

I have a Q-jet @ the house. Donno what its off of, just found it while going through a free car.

 

My recommendation is to get an 86-93 Mustang 5.0 HO engine, the one with SEFI, and an AOD transmission. Rebuild the short block, and run it like that. Good mileage, excellent drivability. If you want to do a hop-up, put some of the GT40p heads on it. Use the stock cam.

 

I don't think your fuel mileage expectations are reallistic. These old trucks are not aerodynamic at all. It's almost like pushing a sheet of plywood down the road. I have a modified 302 in a 69 short bed. With the original 240 CID 6 cylinder it got 15.5 mpg on it's best day. With the 302 and a 3.50:1 rear I got 14.4 mpg. Now with a 4.10:1 I am getting 12-13 mpg. Even with overdrive I don't see 18 mpg as a possibilty. I drive this thing every day because I enjoy it and I have been driving it since 1978, but it cost to drive.

 

For ECONOMY, just buy a toyota prius.

 

looked at the HO option, would blow my budget. I can get the entire EFI set up (5.0 only) from a local wrecker service for $35, but thats about the only way I can go FI on a V8, the 89 4.9L is EFI I think. Only thing about EFI, if I have to start drilling holes in the fuel tank, I'll probably get a fuel cell.

I am looking more for TQ than HP. I will probably gear the truck around 2.91 w/o OD (1700@50/2375@70) OR 3.73 w/ OD (1750@50/2450@70).
Possably 3.10 w/o (1900/2650) OR 4.00 w/od (1900/2650).

Like I said, its only pullin the truck w/ driver. No payload.

18-25 MPG is my goal, 15-18 is quite acceptable

 

What about
1)a 300 with FI headers, 4bbl intake, 390 Holley, full port & polish, crane cam (1500-4500), 4.00 gears, and SMOD 4 spd/GV C4-3.73, or maybe
2)a 302, RV cam, rejet the 2150 2bbl, mild exh port, full polish, tri-Y headers w/dual exhaust, 3.10s with the original 3 spd?
3)Built 302- 9.3 CR, Comp EX262H, EFI, tri-Ys, GV C4, TCI 1200 TC, 3.73 gears
4)Stock 351W (FRPP) 2 or 4 bbl, 2150 or BG 525 RDjr; 3spd/3.00, C4/2.91, SMOD/3.73

Im sure one of these has to have potential.

All stick shifts must be linkage operated. All autos must be valvebody controled.
I dont mind putting in a column shift auto, but will NOT cut a hole in the floor. No A/C, no P/S, no P/B

 

18- 25 mpg in that truck is unrealistic. It is just to heavy to do that and ford v8s aren't that efficent. You might look at getting as many fiberglass body pannels as you can find to lighten it up. If you go to tall on the gears you will need a very big and inefficient motor to get it moving. The only way I can see to get that kind of milage is to lighten it to about 2500lbs and put a 4 cylinder in it.

 

> I dont mind putting in a column shift auto, but will NOT cut a hole in the floor.
> No A/C, no P/S, no P/B

There should be a hole in the floor already, the transmission access panel.

I think a 351W/C-6 would be a very good combo. If you wanted economy, a 302/T-5.

 

If Red69 can get that? Go with a simular setup.
My 94' ext.cab gets 12.6 avg. with a F.I. 5.0

Robert P.

 

BTW, I have a 94 E250 with a F.I. 351 it gets 14 mpg avg. I have wondered what it would do in my 71' crew; it still is just in the back of my head. It hasn't made it past that yet.

Robert P.

 

I have an 86 Mustang GT with a 5.0 HO engine. Strange, but true, the HO engine gets better fuel mileage than the non-HO engine. The SEFI - Speed Density system was pretty efficient.

On a trip through eastern Oregon, I got an average of 25+ mpg over three tanks of gas. At first, I wasn't trying to get good mileage, in fact, on the way out I buried the speedometer just for the fun of it; ~115 mph. I would have gone faster if I'd left it in fourth gear instead of fifth. When I calculated the first tank's mileage, I didn't entirely believe it. Only after the third tank of 25+ mpg did I realize it wasn't a fluke.

Some day, when I finish some other projects, I'll install my GT40p heads and Holley SysteMax I lower intake, and some new headers on it, with a new timing chain. Then I'll tweak the ECU. I'll bet I can get 28 mpg and make 250 hp (currently rated as 200 hp). With the stock cam. Really.

 

I would go with keeping the 2 barrel, put dual 2.25 exhaust in it, an AOD, and 3.25 gears, that should yield 15mpg.