well i just recieved my grandpa's ford yesterday and the old 300 runs pretty well but i was wondering what would be a smarter choice for a motor...a 300 or a 302? and whats your reason for believing this?

 

stay with 300.... much more durable and much more low end tourqe

 

What he said plus much cheaper to leave the 300 in there. Many changes must be made to the truck to swap in a small block. You could spend that money on the 300 and have a real truck engine.

 

In my opinion I would stick with the 300, It probably wouldn't hurt to do maintenance stuff cap, rotor, plugs, wires filters etc. this will help with mileage and make it run better, I think going to a 302 would be a hassle and I think it would be like going backwards in the scheme of things if you want the v8 sound, power and mileage get a 351 or something that makes the swap worthwhile. I had friends in high school say put a 302 in my truck and get rid of the 300, like the 302 is some sort of magical motor, that really annoyed me it seems like people have v8 stuck on the brain. But to each his own I guess. I guess if a person had another donor truck with a 302 the tools and most importantly the time it might be something to do but I think the benefits (which I don't know of) would hardly outweigh the time, parts, cost etc.

I would run the 300 till it doesn't run any more then rebuild it and you could try building it up a bit for more output, My truck had blowby pretty bad and I spent a huge amount of money getting it rebuilt, After I got it back with new internals it ran the same but it didn't consume oil as bad.
Any ways this is just my opinion and what I have realized over the years. I have never ran a magical 302 yet but I am not going to hold my breathe on that topic either.

have you posted this in the 302 forum? Sorry to sound angry. I voted for the 300 cause they are the underdog in the v8 world. Booyah

tyrone

 

300's run forever and have loads of low end torque. the only reason to swap to a 5.0 is if you haul trailors a lot at high speeds, a 5.0 is going to be good at keeping speed up hills while pulling stuff. the 4.9 is going to be able to get the trailor up to speed quicker than a 5.0.

 

well it sounds like ill be stickin with the 300 because of how long they run and the dependability...my dad told me to stick a 302 in it because i would get more horsepower and better mpg

 

Unamimous, but what would you expect in the inline six forum?

 

haha true...

 

302's suck compared to the 300 inless you want to spend a ton of coin on hopping it up to 400 ponies. My neighbour has a 302 and it is so underpowered.

If you want an 8, go 460. No replacement for displacement.

As for gas milage, I am getting 16.5 with my bone stock engine, 35's and 4.56 gears and am happy with that, but I drive easy on the highway.

 

My 300 has over 180k miles on him and still running strong. We also have a '68 Ranchero with a 302. It's hard to start when its cold or hot. the ranchero sits in the garage. My truck is out in the cold all winter and started everytime. Keep the 300 and just turn a deaf ear to the V8 guys!

 

300c.i.ers Forever!!!!!

 

It's no comparision in my mind, rebuild the 300. That F-100 isn't a racecar, it's a truck and diserves a truck motor. Rebuild it with the intent of inhancing the low end torque and improved hp. With the right tranny and rear gears you'd can have a stump puller as well as a daily driver in one truck.

 

I have had 3 pickups with 302s. Not the best for power or mileage. My 2WD would get 17 maybe 18 MPG of a good day. (1993 F150)

13 was the best I would muster out of my 1995 F-150 4x4.

Sold both.

My 1979 F-150 4x4 with 300 is far better. More torque. I don't figure mileage in it. Better pickup for the things I do.

IMO stick with the 300.

 

i have a question for you fellas...how much would an engine rebuild kit cost me for my 300? since this is the first thing that im gonna modify/fix on my truck...

 

Here in Los Angeles a "Standard Re-build" is $1,500.00-$1,800.00, then if you decide to "Do some standard Mods" it'll jump to $2,500.00+.