towing help

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Jul 12, 2009 | 11:00 AM

smoke20

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From: boones mill,va

towing help

took my 79 F250 on her first road test with the boat today and she failed miserably. now I'm not gonna go ******* the motor just yet (300six) but I gotta do something. I can't take pulling hills at 25-35 mph with a 3000lb boat in tow I was expecting more pulling power I know she aint no race horse but I would like to get up these South Va. hills at more than 35 mph. most of you probably remember before I complained about the 3.54 gearing but most reassured that the 300 six would still pull good even with 3.54 rears. I'm gonna give her a full tune up then try it again. I've already changed the oil and all filters as well as fixed several vacuum leaks before this trip and I've been driving her to work (50 miles round trip) just about everyday and I thought the truck had good pulling power til I hooked my 19ft center console triumph to her.

Just curious what V8's will fit my tranny (np435/np205t-case) incase I decide to swap I have found several 351's for cheap

Jul 12, 2009 | 03:15 PM

johnboy427

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From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas

289/302/351W/351C will all fit your bellhousing if you swap bellhousings 351M/400/FE/460 will work as well. I think some thing is wrong though I pulled 3500lbs with a 300 and it was no speed demon but I could maintain 50 pretty easily in the Ozark mountians (just really steep hills).
-Johnboy

Jul 12, 2009 | 05:48 PM

smoke20

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From: boones mill,va

thanks john boy I found a 351W for 200 came out of a late 70s LTD I haven't bought it but I know where i can get several if I need to. swapping engines would be cheaper than a gear change if i can't make this ole girl pull. but I'm gonna investigate further I think somethings holding her back

Jul 12, 2009 | 06:25 PM

91Bronc300

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A 300 making good compression and in tune will actually tow better than a 351. Stock for stock you would have to swap for a 400/FE/460 to tow better than a stock 300. A 351 in factory trim will not tow better than a 300. I would definitely see what you can do with the inline.

Jul 13, 2009 | 10:29 AM

Witty73

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From: Minnesota

Out of curiosity, what tranny are you running? My dad loves the 300's, and he doesnt spend a dime except for routine stuff. I dare say the 300 has more low end grunt coupled to a 4 speed than any 302, 351 or 400 I have ever played with.

Jul 13, 2009 | 03:51 PM

smoke20

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From: boones mill,va

np435/np205 transfer

Jul 13, 2009 | 05:09 PM

trailblazer28333

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I dont think there is much u can do with the 300 to help. Judging from the stance of your pic its a 4x4 and thats alot of truck. I had a 76 f-150 2wd with a c-6 growing up in the ozarks and just the empty truck would have trouble with maintaining speed up the hills and sure wasn't going to pass anyone. Dont get me wrong the 300 is a work horse and probably the best engine ford ever built, and on the same hills i could pull whatever i wanted to over them as long as speed wasn't the issue. When i lived in NC i had a 76 f-150 4x4 np235/np205 360 v-8 and it handled a 1988 18' procraft bass boat like it wasn't even on the truck. Thats been my expereance and in my opinion go with a v-8.