Best Motor?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Best Motor?
Well I think I have come to the conclusion that I need a new toy. I will be getting home from Iraq soon and have set my sights on getting another truck. Chances are it will be a 78 or 79 but may go older if I see the right truck. Its time for my 86 f-150 to be parked shes had a good run but is getting tired. As a kid we had a 78 supercab with the I-6 and it was a good truck but I would like to go the v8 route on this one. Problem is I dont know very much about these older models and was looking for some opinions on what motor would be best. It seems that there are quite a few differant motors that were available in these trucks. Any help would be appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 2
From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
In stock form they all are pretty much dogs. You could get a 300, 302, 351M, 400, or a 460. I am pretty sure the 460 was 2 wheel drive only. I like 400s, they can be built to make a ton of torque, but so can a 460 and the 351M. I would avoid 302s because they don't have the down low grunt that I want my truck to have. All the motors were down on power due to low compression forced by increasing emission regulations. Just depends on what you are looking for, if you want a 2 wheel drive hot rod a 302 might be fine, but they aren't the best for towing.
-Johnboy
-Johnboy
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
From: Jersey Shore
super cabs are cool, I have one, love it..... but then the kids came and they grew, now I am building a crew cab..... I still have the super cab, my 11 yr old wants that. It did real fine w/ towing, not sure if it has the 351m or the 400, not original, has headers, duals, 4bbl and a mild cam, w/ 33's and 3:50 gears
Welcome home from Iraq........
Welcome home from Iraq........
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 741
Likes: 8
From: Western N.C.
Well I think I have come to the conclusion that I need a new toy. I will be getting home from Iraq soon and have set my sights on getting another truck. Chances are it will be a 78 or 79 but may go older if I see the right truck. Its time for my 86 f-150 to be parked shes had a good run but is getting tired. As a kid we had a 78 supercab with the I-6 and it was a good truck but I would like to go the v8 route on this one. Problem is I dont know very much about these older models and was looking for some opinions on what motor would be best. It seems that there are quite a few differant motors that were available in these trucks. Any help would be appreciated.
I have a feeling that no matter what you want it to do, the consensus on here will be the 460 simply because 1.) it is the biggest, and 2.) it's pretty much always the consensus.
I personally have a 360FE and I love it. It's a tough old motor, it does everything I need it to, and in stock 2BBL form it can melt the tires if I want it to. If the time comes when I need to rebuild or replace it, I'm sticking with a 360 but adding some performance goodies.
I'm not gonna get into what I would avoid, as many people on here would excrete a cinderblock.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 8
From: Southern Oregon Coast
Ooohhh, I'd actually kinda like to see that! Make a helluva Youtube vid 
...
Anyhoo, getting back on topic, I don't have many complaints about my 400 - yeah, I've had to do a bit of work on one of the heads and it's been bored .060" over but it's been a pretty good engine so far... The 300 I-6 I had in my van was also a good engine and good on torque - easy to work on... I don't think the van's rearend was geared quite right for towing, though... I guess it just depends on what you plan on doing with the truck...
...Anyhoo, getting back on topic, I don't have many complaints about my 400 - yeah, I've had to do a bit of work on one of the heads and it's been bored .060" over but it's been a pretty good engine so far... The 300 I-6 I had in my van was also a good engine and good on torque - easy to work on... I don't think the van's rearend was geared quite right for towing, though... I guess it just depends on what you plan on doing with the truck...
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Thanks lostinfords not home yet in about a month or so though. Anyway I'm looking for a 4x4 with a manual tranny. I will be using for normal EVERYDAY driving, and occasionally towing and basic work you would expect from a truck. I'm a huge outdoorsman so a little off roading also. I'm not looking to win a drag race with it nor am I looking to slap 44in boggers on it, just a good running do all truck. My 86 has the 302 and it gets the job done (could use a little more torque for sure.) I'm kinda sad to hear that they're all dogs if that is in fact the truth. Anyhow thanks for the replies everyone.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: South Central PA
How about you either tell us what you would like to do with it (and what you would like it to do) or ask what to avoid?
I have a feeling that no matter what you want it to do, the consensus on here will be the 460 simply because 1.) it is the biggest, and 2.) it's pretty much always the consensus.
I personally have a 360FE and I love it. It's a tough old motor, it does everything I need it to, and in stock 2BBL form it can melt the tires if I want it to. If the time comes when I need to rebuild or replace it, I'm sticking with a 360 but adding some performance goodies.
I'm not gonna get into what I would avoid, as many people on here would excrete a cinderblock.
I have a feeling that no matter what you want it to do, the consensus on here will be the 460 simply because 1.) it is the biggest, and 2.) it's pretty much always the consensus.
I personally have a 360FE and I love it. It's a tough old motor, it does everything I need it to, and in stock 2BBL form it can melt the tires if I want it to. If the time comes when I need to rebuild or replace it, I'm sticking with a 360 but adding some performance goodies.
I'm not gonna get into what I would avoid, as many people on here would excrete a cinderblock.
Charlie01, first off thanks for doin what you do, I gotta say you got more ***** than me and I truly am glad your protecting us all. But back on topic of your future truck, for what you plan on doing, anything from the 351M and up will be just fine. I used to have a351M and it was plenty enough, even running 35" tires. Pretty torquey. There are plenty of parts out there to hop up the 351 or the 400, and replacement parts for them are relativly cheap and easy to find as well. Yes they are smog motors, but they do get the job done, even better when you swap out the 2barrel carb for a 4 barrel. Either of these engines should be good for your application. Just remember though, the old saying, "there's no replacement for displacement".
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 2
From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
Power wise they would be on par with an 86. Didn't mean to make them out as bad motors that won't even climb a hill at 60. I am just used to the pre smog stuff, its amazing what a little compression and decent camming will do. Just trying to say that if you plan on a rebuild there is a lot of room for improvement.
-Johnboy
-Johnboy
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 741
Likes: 8
From: Western N.C.
First of all, bmarkline, read what the man said.
To be clear, I have nothing against the 460. It's a great motor...the point I am making is that there are several great engines that were put into these trucks, and they will tend to get passed over by people who automatically assume that since the 460 is the biggest and "baddest," the others are somehow lame ducks.
If we judge the best engine based on displacement alone, let's all get 534s!!!
To be clear, I have nothing against the 460. It's a great motor...the point I am making is that there are several great engines that were put into these trucks, and they will tend to get passed over by people who automatically assume that since the 460 is the biggest and "baddest," the others are somehow lame ducks.
If we judge the best engine based on displacement alone, let's all get 534s!!!
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Ok well its sounds like I really can't go wrong especially if I am willing to do a few performance mods (which I am). I don't believe in leaving anything stock for very long. Anyway thank you all for the information and the support!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Davison, Mi.
Good answer. The only thing I can add to that is if you're going to wind up with a 351m/400 you might as well have the 400.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
99PREDATOR
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
10
Jul 22, 2011 11:23 PM
Fordication
Y-Block V8 (239, 272, 292, 312, 317, 341, 368)
8
Feb 10, 2006 07:56 PM
J. E. Ray
General NON-Automotive Conversation
27
Feb 1, 2004 07:14 PM
