inline 6 vs. 400??
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Junior User
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inline 6 vs. 400??
I have a 78' F-250 4x4 with a 300 inline 6 and a 4 speed tranny. I found a 400 engine for $200. Is it worth swappin? The 6 is tickin and could most likely use some work. Any input? Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
If it was me I would stick with the six unless you plan to rebuild the 400 better than stock. I have owned both and the power difference isn't that big and I feel like the six is a more reliable motor and will most likely quit a bit better milage.
-Johnboy
-Johnboy
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Orefield,PA
Another thing to consider is that the bell housing bolt pattern is different between the two, motor mounts are also different. How much were you looking to invest to switch? The 300 I had in an 81 f150 was very reliable with plenty of pull being mated to a 4 speed with granny gear.
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From: Cullman Alabama
I had three F-150 and a Bronco, all 4X4's and all had the 300/Granny four speed.
I had a few problems with on of them.
My SIL had the 400. It worked OK, no stronger than my Six bangers, and used a lot more gas.
If I were you I'd stick with the Six.
Right now I'm looking for a 300 Six but want an Auto when I finally get one.
I had a few problems with on of them.
My SIL had the 400. It worked OK, no stronger than my Six bangers, and used a lot more gas.
If I were you I'd stick with the Six.
Right now I'm looking for a 300 Six but want an Auto when I finally get one.
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i was hoping fairly inexpensive. are there any simple things i could do to freshen up the 300? espcially get rid of the tickin. i was told it was the lifters , but i'm not sure. one guy said i had to put new ones in and one guy said it could be adjusted.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,341
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From: Sacramento
The 300 wakes up pretty good with just a 4 barrell carb, intake and header(or EFI manifolds), along with the timing dialed in. Stump pulling from 500rpm up to about 4200 rpm. A 400 isnt really worth it, as already said, unless you plan on spending the kash to get it better than stock. You can get GM 292 rockers for it for really cheap, and it's a little power boost in the mid range. The bigger bonus is they are adjustable. Lifters are cheap too. If you do lifters, you could do a cam too.....all in what you wanna do.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Almost Heaven
The 300 wakes up pretty good with just a 4 barrell carb, intake and header(or EFI manifolds), along with the timing dialed in. Stump pulling from 500rpm up to about 4200 rpm. A 400 isnt really worth it, as already said, unless you plan on spending the kash to get it better than stock. You can get GM 292 rockers for it for really cheap, and it's a little power boost in the mid range. The bigger bonus is they are adjustable. Lifters are cheap too. If you do lifters, you could do a cam too.....all in what you wanna do.
4,200 rpm? You mean 3,200 rpm.
Why is the 400 so gutless? I would think the 100 more cubes and two plus cyilinders would make it a beast in comparison to the 300.
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From: Cullman Alabama
Jeez, Only somebody from California would know those kind's of Hop-up bits of knowlege. I have another friend out there that knows Chevvys like that.
Did you know, (you probably did) that you can make the 460 into a 502 for what used to be less than $1K.
What I liked about those Six's was not haveing to rev it up and dump the clutch to get a heavy load going. Just let it out and give it a little gas at the same time and it'd drag logs, stumps, fish nets, boat trailers......even drag your sick grandmother off her toilet seat.
Did you know, (you probably did) that you can make the 460 into a 502 for what used to be less than $1K.
What I liked about those Six's was not haveing to rev it up and dump the clutch to get a heavy load going. Just let it out and give it a little gas at the same time and it'd drag logs, stumps, fish nets, boat trailers......even drag your sick grandmother off her toilet seat.
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are the duel split headers any good for the 300? i think i'm gunna stick with the 300 and try to liven it up some.
this has nothin to do with that but how do you adjust the carb on the 300? its deff. burning too ritch. i never messed with the air/fuel ratio. can it even be adjusted?
this has nothin to do with that but how do you adjust the carb on the 300? its deff. burning too ritch. i never messed with the air/fuel ratio. can it even be adjusted?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Cullman Alabama
are the duel split headers any good for the 300? i think i'm gunna stick with the 300 and try to liven it up some.
this has nothin to do with that but how do you adjust the carb on the 300? its deff. burning too ritch. i never messed with the air/fuel ratio. can it even be adjusted?
this has nothin to do with that but how do you adjust the carb on the 300? its deff. burning too ritch. i never messed with the air/fuel ratio. can it even be adjusted?
What 300? What year? what emissions? how do you know its running rich?
When I was a kid I took a Buick Split manifold with two big Two Bbl carbs and chopped it all up and re-welded it to fit onto my 39 Chebby six banger.
Other than using a lot more gas, and a little noisier, I couldn't tell the difference.
I went back to my Carter YF and had a good car till it tangled with a Bridge embutment.
I would not try to liven up your Six banger. It's like trying to turn a Mouse into a big BLack Rat!
Keep it stock and own it forever.
Find a 460, turn it into a 502, pour some tech into it and make a street rod of magnitude out of it.
Keep the 300 for your daily driver. It'l tow your street Rod back and forth.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Almost Heaven
What 300? What year? what emissions? how do you know its running rich?
When I was a kid I took a Buick Split manifold with two big Two Bbl carbs and chopped it all up and re-welded it to fit onto my 39 Chebby six banger.
Other than using a lot more gas, and a little noisier, I couldn't tell the difference.
I went back to my Carter YF and had a good car till it tangled with a Bridge embutment.
I would not try to liven up your Six banger. It's like trying to turn a Mouse into a big BLack Rat!
Keep it stock and own it forever.
Find a 460, turn it into a 502, pour some tech into it and make a street rod of magnitude out of it.
Keep the 300 for your daily driver. It'l tow your street Rod back and forth.
When I was a kid I took a Buick Split manifold with two big Two Bbl carbs and chopped it all up and re-welded it to fit onto my 39 Chebby six banger.
Other than using a lot more gas, and a little noisier, I couldn't tell the difference.
I went back to my Carter YF and had a good car till it tangled with a Bridge embutment.
I would not try to liven up your Six banger. It's like trying to turn a Mouse into a big BLack Rat!
Keep it stock and own it forever.
Find a 460, turn it into a 502, pour some tech into it and make a street rod of magnitude out of it.
Keep the 300 for your daily driver. It'l tow your street Rod back and forth.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento
Some of us went to a new 4bbl and stuff out of necessity. I was having a bunch of carb problems on my 300 when I got it. I have to drive it everyday, and dont regret the little extra cost of the carb, intake, header, and electronic ign. at all.
I've driven it for 2 years this way, and haven't been stranded. Fuel economy isn't great for a 300(guessing 12mpg in town), but I know it'll start whenever I go out there. It's not a ton of power over stock, but it sure runs better overall.
I've driven it for 2 years this way, and haven't been stranded. Fuel economy isn't great for a 300(guessing 12mpg in town), but I know it'll start whenever I go out there. It's not a ton of power over stock, but it sure runs better overall.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
if you want long life and reliability the 300-6 is the way to go.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,899
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From: Cullman Alabama
I often wonderd about the 400.
The Engineering and sales staff must have had some loud meetings over that engine.
About the only thing I can envision is a comprimise. The engineers probably wanted to make a long stroke truck engine for vehicles all the way up to 3 tons.
The sales staff wanted something new to sell that would have torque, but would also hold hiway speed.
I'll bet they harraunged that one around for a while. Too bad they wasted a good opportunity there.
Looking back, they might have done better to come up with a Five speed auto for the 300 six. That might have kept the Six in its best power band from Idle to 70 Mph.
There'd be no need for the 3xx V-8's all the way up to the 460.
Ford could have held their engines to the Four Cyl, the 300 and the 460.
Think how much more porfitable the Company would have been if they could have shut all those other plants down.
The Engineering and sales staff must have had some loud meetings over that engine.
About the only thing I can envision is a comprimise. The engineers probably wanted to make a long stroke truck engine for vehicles all the way up to 3 tons.
The sales staff wanted something new to sell that would have torque, but would also hold hiway speed.
I'll bet they harraunged that one around for a while. Too bad they wasted a good opportunity there.
Looking back, they might have done better to come up with a Five speed auto for the 300 six. That might have kept the Six in its best power band from Idle to 70 Mph.
There'd be no need for the 3xx V-8's all the way up to the 460.
Ford could have held their engines to the Four Cyl, the 300 and the 460.
Think how much more porfitable the Company would have been if they could have shut all those other plants down.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
I disagree with you. The 460 is a heckova truck engine, but the 351 serves a purpose too. It would give you the power of both the 302 and 300 combined with better fuel mileage than the 460.
So, 300, 351 and 460 for the gassers.
Sorry 302 guys! Your 302's are made for going FAST! Something my truck only dreams about. A 302 is simply a better Speedster motor.
So, 300, 351 and 460 for the gassers.
Sorry 302 guys! Your 302's are made for going FAST! Something my truck only dreams about. A 302 is simply a better Speedster motor.