I am restoring an '81 F150 4x4. Plan is 4" lift with 33's, ZF 5 speed and engine? Currently has a 300 I6, and I'm wondering if it would be wiser to swap in a 351W or would the 300 perform just as well if it were dressed in the proper items? I was thinking Clfford 4bbl. intake, header, camshaft, shaved head and a K&N. The 300 was rebuilt not too long ago (to factory specs) and I'd like to keep it if it'll come close to what a 351 would do for me.

 

If it was me nowing what I know now. I would have replaced the 300 that blew up with another 300 and modded it with the intake and exahust options on the market.

remember this much. a truck need torque and the 300 is a bigblock. the 351w is a small block. not to mention you will need all the parts assoicated with the 351w to fit it in the 81. I done the swap. it was time consuming. not to mention I had to cut rivits off the frame to get the engine mounts to fit in.

a well equiped 300 will be even or even out perform a 302/351.



If it is still running. you didn't try hard enuf!

 

"a well equiped 300 will be even or even out perform a 302/351."

Until you get to high rpm's and speed's.

The 300 is a powerful lowend torque motor, but remember it will run out of breath at high speeds.

 

>"a well equiped 300 will be
>even or even out perform
>a 302/351."
>
>Until you get to high rpm's
>and speed's.
>
>The 300 is a powerful lowend
>torque motor, but remember it
>will run out of breath
>at high speeds.

I knew some guys that used to race in a Nostolgia Stock Car Series (dirt oval) and the engine to beat was the 300 six. They did a little port work, add a 4V carb and manifold with headers, a big cam (not sure how big) and blow the doors off everything on the track. (Granted the V8's in the class were limited to 2v carbs and non-roller engines.)
I still love the sound of a built 6 with split headers.

Roger Lane
Test Analyst
Sr. Automated Test Engineer
IBP, Inc.