which 4.9 is better
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
The only difference I am aware of is sometime around the mid 90s they changed between Mass Air Flow sensor vs Speed Density. I think Speed Density was earliler and handled mods better. The other didn't handle mods hardly at all. But I am really reaching in my memory. You should search this question if you plan to do mods.
Also seems I recall the cooling fan on the fuel rail was added around 92 maybe, so mid-90s you'd be okay on that.
Also seems I recall the cooling fan on the fuel rail was added around 92 maybe, so mid-90s you'd be okay on that.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: North Reading Mass
I have a 94 300 and its speed density. My work truck is a 92 300 and its a speed density. The 94 with twice as many miles seems smoother than the 92. Neither one has the fan. We had an 89 EFI 300 and that had a cooling fan and did not seem as reliable as the newer models. Dual tanks seem to give a lot of problems. Some 96 models have MAF with the 300.
I have the manual and 3.55s stock tires. Love it
regards
rikard
I have the manual and 3.55s stock tires. Love it
regards
rikard
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 457
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From: Lathrop, MO
87-94 EFI's are all OBD I SD/MFI. TMK most 87-92 had a thermal switched blower to 'cool' the injectors that was deleted in later models. Supposedly, the 95 EFI's for California (and some New York/Massachusetts) were OBD I MAF/SFI. All 96 EFI (the last year) are OBD II MAF/SFI.
Reliability/performance wise, there is little difference. If your looking for a workhorse try to find one with the ZF S5-42 vs the M5OD-R2, the ZF is a segnificantly stronger transmission with a good granny 1st and a slightly better OD 5th (.77 v .8). Mate that with a 3.55LS or better vs an open 3.08 differential and you have a truck that will done most anything, work wise, that you ask of it.
Reliability/performance wise, there is little difference. If your looking for a workhorse try to find one with the ZF S5-42 vs the M5OD-R2, the ZF is a segnificantly stronger transmission with a good granny 1st and a slightly better OD 5th (.77 v .8). Mate that with a 3.55LS or better vs an open 3.08 differential and you have a truck that will done most anything, work wise, that you ask of it.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 85
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I would suggest not getting the EFI 300-6, plus you can always add carburators 
(I have* an 86' F-150 with a 300, three carb setup that runs like a raped ape XD)
(I have* an 86' F-150 with a 300, three carb setup that runs like a raped ape XD)
Last edited by ReadOrDie_DW; Nov 6, 2007 at 11:37 AM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
I wonder why they removed the fuel rail fan. I thought it was more or less necessary. I noticed on mine the other day, looking up from below, that there is a big heat shield between the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold. Maybe that replaced the fan.
I have dual tanks and 147,000 miles and have not had any problems with them or the switching.
I have dual tanks and 147,000 miles and have not had any problems with them or the switching.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 2
From: DFW Metromess, TX.
Originally Posted by TallPaul
I wonder why they removed the fuel rail fan. I thought it was more or less necessary. I noticed on mine the other day, looking up from below, that there is a big heat shield between the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold. Maybe that replaced the fan.
I have dual tanks and 147,000 miles and have not had any problems with them or the switching.
I have dual tanks and 147,000 miles and have not had any problems with them or the switching.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
I have a '96 4.9L it's MAF w/ Dual tanks and the M5OD trans - no problems with anything at 109K miles. (I've add the K&N air filter and TB spacer - I don't recommend - both did little or nothing for power or mileage)
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia, USA
Eddie Bauer is just a trim package. Same truck underneath. Some people have problems with the two-stage fuel pumps on the EFI trucks- low pressure in the tank, high pressure on the frame rail. Sometimes the tank selector valves go. All are replaceable.
Carb'ed trucks can run fine, but need lots of bolt-ons to equal the power of an EFI motor.
All are good trucks. I've had both- carb'ed and EFI, and they're all good trucks. 300 is a solid motor, in any incarnation.
Carb'ed trucks can run fine, but need lots of bolt-ons to equal the power of an EFI motor.
All are good trucks. I've had both- carb'ed and EFI, and they're all good trucks. 300 is a solid motor, in any incarnation.