straight six
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Texas
The 300 is a great gas engine. The best, maybe. Its got alot of the characteristics of a diesel which makes it extremely desirable in a truck. Low revving and lots of torque. More reliable then any engine i have ever worked on and iv worked on tons. Its a simple engine designed to last forever. Its a slow engine, but i can hook up to a 8k trailer and it isnt any slower then when i pull a 4k trailer and only slightly slower then unloaded.
And as for reliability, i have never heard of any engine that has been put through the same kind of abuse as the 300. I'v seen a 300 redlined without cooling for maybe 5 min before it threw a rod, then it kept running for at least 10min until they shut it down. And even then it still turned over. Its outstanding.
Unfortunately their are only a few patient enough to drive the 300. Thats why everyone wants a v8.
And as for reliability, i have never heard of any engine that has been put through the same kind of abuse as the 300. I'v seen a 300 redlined without cooling for maybe 5 min before it threw a rod, then it kept running for at least 10min until they shut it down. And even then it still turned over. Its outstanding.
Unfortunately their are only a few patient enough to drive the 300. Thats why everyone wants a v8.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Laramie Wyoming
So to answer the original question, for me, in this truck, Yessir, it's the best.
Now, a Porche 356 Pre-A, set up for ralley, well, maybe not the best engine for that application lol.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
The 300 is a great gas engine. The best, maybe. Its got alot of the characteristics of a diesel which makes it extremely desirable in a truck. Low revving and lots of torque. More reliable then any engine i have ever worked on and iv worked on tons. Its a simple engine designed to last forever. Its a slow engine, but i can hook up to a 8k trailer and it isnt any slower then when i pull a 4k trailer and only slightly slower then unloaded.
And as for reliability, i have never heard of any engine that has been put through the same kind of abuse as the 300. I'v seen a 300 redlined without cooling for maybe 5 min before it threw a rod, then it kept running for at least 10min until they shut it down. And even then it still turned over. Its outstanding.
Unfortunately their are only a few patient enough to drive the 300. Thats why everyone wants a v8.
And as for reliability, i have never heard of any engine that has been put through the same kind of abuse as the 300. I'v seen a 300 redlined without cooling for maybe 5 min before it threw a rod, then it kept running for at least 10min until they shut it down. And even then it still turned over. Its outstanding.
Unfortunately their are only a few patient enough to drive the 300. Thats why everyone wants a v8.
The only place that a factory 300 lacks in being durable enough to go 3-400K before needing attention, is the fiber tooth cam gear. Yes, it's quieter than running steel to steel, but it won't last as long.
This "Hurry-up" world we live in made the 300 pretty useless to the average person. This engine will do plenty of grunt work, but it won't do it as fast as most people demand, so they gotta have a V8.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 645
Likes: 2
From: Richlands, NC
I'm planning on buying another 300 and rebuilding it, and adding a turbo or something like that.
Then drop it into my newly fabricated body (Work in progress) and then bam! Awesome truck
Then drop it into my newly fabricated body (Work in progress) and then bam! Awesome truck
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
I think the 300 has good power for a six. I think the 300 is something inbetween a small V6 and a small V8.
I'm with Darrell and Harte. I'm happy enough to have a six shooter. I just wish the darn thing got better fuel milage. My own fault there, I know. Shouldn't have geared the thing so low. This forum tried to warn me. Harte probably did too, haha.
I'm with Darrell and Harte. I'm happy enough to have a six shooter. I just wish the darn thing got better fuel milage. My own fault there, I know. Shouldn't have geared the thing so low. This forum tried to warn me. Harte probably did too, haha.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
The 300 is very dependant upon having the right gearing for the purpose you intend it to do.
Back in the days before OD transmissions were standard, they were geared with something between 2.75 and 4.10. The higher the gearing, the better the *potential* MPG, and lower pulling power, while lower gearing yielded better power at the cost of MPG.
Once the OD transmissions became common, they were mated to gears between 2.73 & 3.55. The same basic rules applied to a certain extent, however, the lower geared vehicles didn't suffer nearly the MPG as they once did, and the higher geared vehicles didn't have much pulling power. They also didn't get much better MPG than the lower geared versions.
In my opinion, the 300 should be mated with gears between 3.25 and 3.50 without OD, and between 3.50 and 3.73 with OD, in order to get the best mix of power and economy. This is using the standard 235/75-15 tires. Taller tires may require gearing a bit lower to achieve the same results.
Back in the days before OD transmissions were standard, they were geared with something between 2.75 and 4.10. The higher the gearing, the better the *potential* MPG, and lower pulling power, while lower gearing yielded better power at the cost of MPG.
Once the OD transmissions became common, they were mated to gears between 2.73 & 3.55. The same basic rules applied to a certain extent, however, the lower geared vehicles didn't suffer nearly the MPG as they once did, and the higher geared vehicles didn't have much pulling power. They also didn't get much better MPG than the lower geared versions.
In my opinion, the 300 should be mated with gears between 3.25 and 3.50 without OD, and between 3.50 and 3.73 with OD, in order to get the best mix of power and economy. This is using the standard 235/75-15 tires. Taller tires may require gearing a bit lower to achieve the same results.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Gearing is key on any truck/ vehicle regardless of what's sitting between the frame rails. I regeared both of my 300 powered F150s to better suit my needs. The 84 4x4 had 3.08s, I dumped them for 4.10s... But I set this truck up for heavier pulling and off road use. I went from a 235/75 tires to a 33x12.50 (now 35s) Although I did had to change my driving style a little bit on this one I was able to keep my mpg around 17. The 96 was originally a 2wd with 2.73s now sits up as a 4x4 with 3.55s. It had the factory 235/75s I stepped up to a 32x11.50. I don't have any actual numbers but it seems to get better mpg with the 3.55s than it did with the 2.73s, and it has more power. I guess if you ask me personally I have to say more specifically it's the best six cylinder gas motor ever put in a full size pickup truck. And I say that in all-around terms, it has it's strengths and weaknesses like anything else. I would put either of my F150s against any Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan,... whatever equivalent (1/2 ton, 6 cyl, manual trans, 4x4, similarly geared, standard cab pickup) I would be willing to bet in most cases it's as good as or better than the rest.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,886
Likes: 12
From: Lawrence Swamp
Taller tires may require gearing a bit lower to achieve the same results.
Wulff
so whadda U suggest for 33" tires w/the ZF? A 300 (not in the below rig - as of yet) that sees 40/60% - on/off road, minor amount of towing, but a real need, lots of rock n fire wood carrin, n some log skidddin.
Wulff
so whadda U suggest for 33" tires w/the ZF? A 300 (not in the below rig - as of yet) that sees 40/60% - on/off road, minor amount of towing, but a real need, lots of rock n fire wood carrin, n some log skidddin.
Last edited by chrlsful; Apr 9, 2010 at 05:02 PM. Reason: spelling
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Taller tires may require gearing a bit lower to achieve the same results.
Wulff
so whadda U suggest for 33" tires w/the ZF? A 300 (not in the below rig - as of yet) that sees 40/60% - on/off road, minor amount of towing, but a real need, lots of rock n fire wood carrin, n some log skidddin.
Wulff
so whadda U suggest for 33" tires w/the ZF? A 300 (not in the below rig - as of yet) that sees 40/60% - on/off road, minor amount of towing, but a real need, lots of rock n fire wood carrin, n some log skidddin.
For a little more grunt, and a bit less MPG, going to a 3.75-4.10 rear gear is certainly doable.
With a 4wd, you have to first decide what range of ratios you want, then determine what is available to fit both the front and rear and be able to work together. Different axle combos have different ratios available.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,886
Likes: 12
From: Lawrence Swamp
good off road capabilities, and decent MPG between 3.50 and 3.75...a bit less MPG, going to a 3.75
OK, I wuz thinkin of goin the other way (4.56/.88). Will B doin nothing due to the $ situation, but dreamin keeps U (me) alive.
OK, I wuz thinkin of goin the other way (4.56/.88). Will B doin nothing due to the $ situation, but dreamin keeps U (me) alive.