NEED HELP deciding on an engine!!!
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: dodge, north dakota
NEED HELP deciding on an engine!!!
Right now i have a 1978 ford f150 4wd and im gonna do an engine swap. The question is should i put a 302 or a 351 in it. I would also like to know witch one would be cheaper to build up and witch one is more reliable. Please any feed back welcome.
Thanks
Lane
Thanks
Lane
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From: Montgomery, IL
what is in it now? If it came with a 351m or a 400 then swapping engines to a 302 or 351w will require a new transmission, motor mounts/engine perches and accessories (p/s pump brackets, ac brackets, etc.).
What are you planning on doing with the truck? Daily Driver or off roader?
the 351m and 400 are good, reliable engines, just set the cam timing to 0 degrees advance and you are golden.
What are you planning on doing with the truck? Daily Driver or off roader?
the 351m and 400 are good, reliable engines, just set the cam timing to 0 degrees advance and you are golden.
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From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
302 isn't a good truck motor, not enough grunt down low. What do you use this truck for, is it a daily driver? If you care about gas milage a 460 is out. I like the 400 as a good all a round truck engine.
-John
-John
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From: Near Yosemite CA
Reliability is in how you build it/maintain it,,, and I would say it depends on what is/was in it previously,,,, either the 300 six or a 351M/400 if it was the six,,,, I would rebuild a 300 punch it .030 nice cam and intake and fuuhget aboot it! They are as reliable as they come...... That being said, if it has/had a 351M/400, if you have some cash rebuild it with TMI's stuff, OR go for the 460! Personally I would not put a 302 in it,,,, but that is me I am very partial to the 300's
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From: dodge, north dakota
ok so heres a little more info it has a 300 i6 in it and the reson i sad i wanted to put a 302 351 in it was because i was informed that i can bolt that right up to my bell housing. But i would prefer to put a 400 in it just because that is what is in my dads 78. One more question is the 302 351 and 400 all in the same family or is the 400 in the family with the other 351?
Thanks
Lane
Thanks
Lane
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From: Faibanks Ak.
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if youre going four wheeling and not muddin, I'd stick with the 300. Great engines. I've climb some amazing hills with a 300.
If youre really thinking 302 or 351w, then definately go with the 351W. if youre going with headers, you'll have a hard time finding them. or least a set that will fit.
If youre really thinking 302 or 351w, then definately go with the 351W. if youre going with headers, you'll have a hard time finding them. or least a set that will fit.
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From: dodge, north dakota
if youre going four wheeling and not muddin, I'd stick with the 300. Great engines. I've climb some amazing hills with a 300.
If youre really thinking 302 or 351w, then definately go with the 351W. if youre going with headers, you'll have a hard time finding them. or least a set that will fit.
If youre really thinking 302 or 351w, then definately go with the 351W. if youre going with headers, you'll have a hard time finding them. or least a set that will fit.
Thanks Lane
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Rebuilt the 300. You'll never really make a ton of horsepower with it, but you are hard pressed to beat it on torque and you will not beat it on reliability. Those things can easily go 300k miles without issue.
I have a 300 in my '95 F-150 and absolutely love it. I would love to have a carb'd one to play with.
I have a 300 in my '95 F-150 and absolutely love it. I would love to have a carb'd one to play with.
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From: West Virginia
I have a 300 and while I can vouch for not killing it, I don't care, its gotta go. Its a turd muffin. They are 130 hp in a 6000 lb truck. And the exhaust sounds like "TERRRRDDDDDDDDD"
bleah.
The carb'd one is ****tier than the FI ones.
bleah.
The carb'd one is ****tier than the FI ones.
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Remember torque and horsepower are mathematically related. Horsepower = Torque * RPM / 5250. This means that if an engine makes more torque at any given RPM, it also makes more HP at that same RPM. My point being that there is a LOT more to performance than just a peak horsepower number. The near 4" stroke on the 300 makes for killer low end torque and thus low end horsepower. There are lot of aftermarket upgrades as well.
Granted, you're probably not gonna make it turn 6000 RPM's, and it's never gonna sound like a V8, but that doesn't mean it's a complete turd. There is a LOT of potential in a straight six. You've also got to consider that the extreme durability AND the fact that you don't immediately have to go looking for new motor mounts and drivetrain components has to be worth something.
Of course it's up to the individual to determine what he / she wants, but if I had a given amount of money to spend, I would bet that you could get more performance out of rebuilding the I6 than replacing it with a V8. Mostly because of all the little nickle and dime things that typically go along with an engine swap.
Granted, you're probably not gonna make it turn 6000 RPM's, and it's never gonna sound like a V8, but that doesn't mean it's a complete turd. There is a LOT of potential in a straight six. You've also got to consider that the extreme durability AND the fact that you don't immediately have to go looking for new motor mounts and drivetrain components has to be worth something.
Of course it's up to the individual to determine what he / she wants, but if I had a given amount of money to spend, I would bet that you could get more performance out of rebuilding the I6 than replacing it with a V8. Mostly because of all the little nickle and dime things that typically go along with an engine swap.