inline6 vs. v-8

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Aug 8, 2001 | 05:55 PM

pythagoras

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inline6 vs. v-8

Wondering if anyone could give me their 2-cents worth on the inline 6 vs. the V8 for a 1990-92 manual trans F-150? And on the 302 vs. the 351 for those years.

I've driven a 1979 300 inline 6 happily for many years but must now retire it. Was planning on looking for another 6 but would like to hear what folks have to say about the V8s. I don't do inordinately heavy hauling, and in general am more interested in milage than power.

thanks, deborah s.

Aug 8, 2001 | 11:25 PM

bsprowl

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From: Deatsville, AL

inline6 vs. v-8

Some of the 302s seem to have oil pressure or bearing problems. Mine was sold to me needing repair, however, I installed a mechanical guage and found that it's still OK. The I6 makes more low RPM torque and the mileage is a about the same.

I will more carefully check the towing capacity of any truck before I buy in the future. This one is marginal for my needs.

Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi

Aug 9, 2001 | 11:36 PM

slimersoup

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inline6 vs. v-8

If you're looking for mileage, keep away from the 351W. I dunno anyone who gets better than 14, 12 is very typical. Getting less than 10 myself right now since putting in the bigger cam and the Edlebrock RPM intake, but I'll be back up to 12 when I stop enjoying the extra power and keep off the throttle so much. 18-20 mpg in an F150 with the 300 I-6 is what I've known people to get, but they were all pretty tame drivers too.

Aug 21, 2001 | 04:41 PM

classicfordluvr

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From: Dryden Canada

inline6 vs. v-8

Quote:

I don't know about the EFI 351W's, but I know my car is heavier than any F150 and it's carburated 351W 2v gets about 18mpg combined when properly tuned ... over 20 on the highway. When I let it 'de-tune' it sinks into the sub-10mpg range tho. As for the 300 I-6, my truck averages about 16mpg no matter where you're driving it. City/highway, it's all about the same. I like driving a V8, but I will NEVER turn down a Ford inline 6. Even with the performance gap, I think I'd still take the I-6 over an 8 ... even if I become the pass-ee instead of the pass-er.
---------------
Chris in Canada
74 Gran Torino Brougham ... the toy ... 351W 2v, C6 auto.
84 F150 2WD ... the truck ... 2WD, 300 I6, NP435 4spd non-OD, 3.08 open rear ... currently parked in the driveway awaiting repairs after a close encounter of the DEER kind.

Aug 21, 2001 | 09:58 PM

BigBrownTruck

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inline6 vs. v-8

My Dad has a 95 F150 w/ the 300 in it. There are many improvements made to the later 300's since your 79 w/ carburator. My dads has multiport FI and a freer flowing dual exhaust manifold. I had an old 76 300 that I drove for about a year before swapping in a 302. The 302 I swapped in ended up coming out for thrust bearing failure, perhaps because of rebuild house incompetence. I am currently driving another 302 in a 79 w/ a 2V motorcraft. I'd say if mileage was a priority that I'd be advising to go the way of the 300 since the Fuel injection has made it better than it was w/ a one barrel on it. The early 90's 302's of coarse also benefit from fuel injection. Personally I'm somewhat sound oriented and I really prefer the sound of the V8 through healthy exhaust. My Dad's 95 w/ 300 and 5sp however is a very very nice truck, gets good mileage (for a truck-typically 18mpg) and has no problem cruising on the freeway. Its been very trouble free for 100+K miles. I'm inclined to think that a 302 is gonna wear out sooner than a 300 because it's a short stroke motor w/ less main bearing support. Myself, I look from my 302 to the 390 I have that needs a shortblock rebuild.

BBT

Aug 22, 2001 | 05:15 PM

colonel_sanders

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inline6 vs. v-8

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-Aug-01 AT 06:18 PM (EST)[/font][p]i get 15 mpg highway, i have almost 119k on my truck with absolutely no engine problems, except an oil pan. but my next vehicle will definately have a v8