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Jul 20, 2001 | 11:07 AM

wolverineflight31

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Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 312

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From: Silver Lake U.S.

help????

Hey all,

I got a 65' f-250 4x4 with a I6 300. I'm thinking about putting some new tires on it and would like to get some big ones. What is the biggest size of tire you would go with on a I6 300? My dad told me that I shouldn't put wide tires on it because it would be bad on the engine. Is that true? Also, how hard would it be to swap a 351w into my truck and what would the gas milage difference be? Any suggestions will help. Thanx

Austin

Friends don't let friends drive chevys!!!

Jul 22, 2001 | 11:35 AM

66ranger

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Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 632

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help????

Just some thoughts: in planning bigger tires; suspension travel and clearence with exterior sheetmetal need to be considered. I would not go much larger than stocktype tire size without a lift kit, shock extenders etc. With a lift kit, check your driveshaft angle to prevent problems here.The bigger and wider the tire, the more surface contact, your gas mileage will be less. A 352, not the 351 would be an easier swap, as this motor was a natural for this truck, but anything is possible with enough time and material.....

Jul 30, 2001 | 12:50 AM

hootie65

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Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 26

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From: Dalzell

help????

First thing that I would do is find a good 390 to drop in there. A 352 is okay but I would suggest a 390. Do you have automatic of manual trans? If you have a 3 or 4spd, you might just have to change the bellhousing and associated clutch,pressure plate and flywheel to include linkage or you could just throw a C-6 for the FE style bolt pattern. You will have gobs of power and torque to go along with it. I had a 300 I6 with three on the tree. That was the first thing to go in my truck. The bigger the tires you go, the more clearance you have to get...body lift, suspension lift.

Hootie65

1965 F-100 Custom Cab 390 FE
1976 F-250 Ranger 4x4 390 FE NP435/NP205
1997 Ford Explorer

"If you aren't living on the edge, you are taking up too much space"

Jul 30, 2001 | 02:25 AM

wolverineflight31

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Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 312

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From: Silver Lake U.S.

help????

It has a 3 speed and i have a 4 speed that came with it. would it be ok to just stay with the 300 or would that be bad on the engine puttin tires on it. I already have a lift on it. How can you tell if you have enough clearance??? Thanks!!!!

Jul 30, 2001 | 09:08 AM

StockMan

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Joined: Jul 1999

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From: Inthepast

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[FONT COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE="3" FACE="Veranda"]
I have temporarily put a set of 7.50 x 17's on my 66 with I6-240. I am restoring the original rims on that truck and needed something to keep it on the road in the meantime. These 17" tires sit nice and tall. I even noticed a little performance increase if you can believe that. It seems to roll down the road nice and smooth and brought my revs down slightly. These rims were original to a 59 F-250. There are summer treads on them now, but a nice set of deep lugged mud and snows would make your 4x4 look real mean!
[/FONT]

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Aug 2, 2001 | 09:35 AM

ole65

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Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 222

Likes: 2

help????

My guess about your Dad's advise not to use larger tires is about the axle bearings. If you get tires that require changing the rim offset to a huge difference, than the bearings will start wearing significantly. This was the problem when people reversed rims on cars, but truck bearing races are larger and therefore don't have as many problems.
Otherwise, larger tires simply represent a greater unsprung weight that your drivetrain needs to move away from the stoplight. And that will take some more torque than smaller, lighter tires. A big deal? Its yours to decide.

Lee
1965 F100 short box styleside

Aug 2, 2001 | 12:38 PM

wolverineflight31

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Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 312

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From: Silver Lake U.S.

help????

Thanks for the help guys. What are you talking about when you talk about axle bearings and that stuff? What do i need to do to get around that?
Thanks