Which engine, which mods?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Which engine, which mods?
Hey guys-
I've been reading this forum for the last year or so, but this is my first post.
I bought a 77 F150 4X4 with the intention of using it to haul my sled dog team to races across Alaska and the Yukon. (For those of you who haven't seen them, the dogs ride in a box with compartments on a flatbed.)
The truck has a 351m w/ a 2bbl carb and a C6. Tires are 31's but I might go bigger. I don't know the diff. ratios. I was also given a 77 F100 with a 302 in it.
I've got the 351m engine out and apart and can send it to the machine shop as soon as I figure out what I want done. I'm trying to decide wether to stick with the 351 or go for 400, or, and this is much less likely, go with the 302.
My number one concern is reliability. I'll be driving in subzero temps with towns few and far between. My number two concern is gas mileage. My third concern is, the dogs and gear weigh about 1500 lbs and we do encounter some steep climbs. I've never cared much to beat the guy next to me off of the line at a stoplight, and 8 months out of the year here, there's ice and snow on the road, so I'm likely to be driving in 4 wheel drive under the speed limit.
I'm having the carb and tranny rebuilt while the truck is apart, and can spend maybe another $500-1000 on the engine above the cost of the machine shop work.
Thanks
Mike Sanford
Fairbanks, AK
I've been reading this forum for the last year or so, but this is my first post.
I bought a 77 F150 4X4 with the intention of using it to haul my sled dog team to races across Alaska and the Yukon. (For those of you who haven't seen them, the dogs ride in a box with compartments on a flatbed.)
The truck has a 351m w/ a 2bbl carb and a C6. Tires are 31's but I might go bigger. I don't know the diff. ratios. I was also given a 77 F100 with a 302 in it.
I've got the 351m engine out and apart and can send it to the machine shop as soon as I figure out what I want done. I'm trying to decide wether to stick with the 351 or go for 400, or, and this is much less likely, go with the 302.
My number one concern is reliability. I'll be driving in subzero temps with towns few and far between. My number two concern is gas mileage. My third concern is, the dogs and gear weigh about 1500 lbs and we do encounter some steep climbs. I've never cared much to beat the guy next to me off of the line at a stoplight, and 8 months out of the year here, there's ice and snow on the road, so I'm likely to be driving in 4 wheel drive under the speed limit.
I'm having the carb and tranny rebuilt while the truck is apart, and can spend maybe another $500-1000 on the engine above the cost of the machine shop work.
Thanks
Mike Sanford
Fairbanks, AK
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 797
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If costs are important use the 351 and build it up. If you got the dollars for another motor use the 400 as the starting point, more displacement right off. I don't think the difference in fuel economy between either the 351 or the 400 will be much. My opinion isn't worth much, my wife keeps reminding me of that, but I built the 400 in the crew cab and will be using that to pull my travel trailer. Either way you go 351 or 400 I don't think you can plan for any more than 10mpg. The 302, good engine, but there really is no replacement for displacement.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
If mileage and $$ are a concern stick with the 351M. It should have plenty of power to get you where you need to go. FWIW, my stock 78 F250 with a worn out 400 got 12 MPG. Most of your mileage comes from your rear axle ratio. Mine is a 3.07 Dana61.
