Ok some of you may aggree with me some may not but it seems to me that the 4.9,5.0, 5.8, 7.5 engines are a lot better than any of the new ones could even begin to be. And jsut better trucks for that matter i belive that a 460 could pull alot more than the ol V10 and look at the 70's fords those are some real trucks so with the new 150's out why cant they do as much there not trucks are more all they are is a family vehecle that has a bed.

 

Ford, along with every other manufacturer, has to meet mileage and emission regulations. The old engines, no matter how powerful and reliable, just don't do this. In time, these new motors will become as good (if not better) than the ones they've replaced. If you don't like the new engines, don't blame Ford- blame Washington.

 

The only experience I have is with a 2001 GT and a couple of 5.4s in F150s. I think they are just as good as the engines they replaced.

 

The new engines sure are nice to drive,they are smooth and have ton of power,but I think that the gas mileage thing is a load of crap,i hear of guys only getting 16-18mpg with the newV8 s,I have a 77 gmc 4x4 with a 350 and a 4-speed and it gets 16mpg on the hwy,why are these new engines such pigs?

 

Probably because they have "ton of power".

 

a 77 4x4 chevy 350V8 getting 16 on the road is good (is it running on carbs or FI?) . Also, those guys you hear of getting only 16 to 18mpg with a ford are probably talking about combination of highway/in town, and they may be driving auto versus your stick. for apples to apples, what's your intown/road mixed driving mpg.

 

I do agree the engines noe seem to be less like truck engines and more like sport car engines. but look at the truck there weaker too, remember the truck you could load till the bumbers hit the axle and pull a trailer with plenty of power left over

 

New engines are just as powerful as before, they just also have a high powerband. When you need the low-end torque to pull a heavy load, it's still there. Ford just improved on the design of engines enough, that it isn't obvious due to rumbling and shaking whenever the motor is running. I have never seen a load that a Ford couldn't pull, ever. (And there is a difference between what a Ford can pull, and if the person behind the wheel knows how to pull it.)

 

I'm kind of torn between the two sides. I love the old engines they run forever, they're easy to work on, and all have proven designs that work. But lets face it if Ford continued to build carbed I6s and V8s, nobody would buy them because of their rather undesireable fuel economy and increased need for maintenance. Some of us, myself included don't mind having to pop the hood to gab the plugs, adjust the timing, or the carburetor every now and then. It seems that most people today don't want to deal with it anymore. With the consumer in mind Ford made these changes to make the vehicles able to go longer between scheduled maintenance procedures ie 100k tune ups. They're easier to drive. Engines are much more reliable for long distance travel, not to say the old ones can't do it too. I have taken my 84 F150 out of state numerous times and never had a single problem with it, accept having to stop to fill up a couple times. These new modular engines really are something, for as small as they are they can really haul some major butt! They don't pull too bad either. Also I forgot to mention if Ford continued to build the old engines they wouldn't be able to keep up with the rest of the big three

 

A buddy that taught me what he new about 4x4s would occasionally start foaming at the mouth how Ford quit makin' trucks in 1979! Aluminum block on a truck? Ha! Aluminum transfer case? Come Oooonnnnah! He loved that 4.9 but preferred the 351M. Reliabillity is what you need in the boonies.

 

I agree the 351M is a good engine but I would take a 300 any day over a 351M. They last longer they don't get tired out near as fast. And it's extremely reliable no matter where you go with it.

 

All i can say is anybody that isn't getting at least 18 mpg out of these new V8's have to learn to keep there foot off the gas a bit. I have owned a 97 ford truck with a 4.6 V8 and i get 22 mpg, highway mileage. In town i get about 18. If people are only getting 16 out of these things maybe they should keep the foot off the gas a bit. Or better yet, buy a K + N filter!

 

Let me start out by saying, this is probably going to tick you off...
I currently own a '76 F-150 Super Cab (complete frame up restoration PS, PB, PW, PDl, C-6, 390). I have also owned a '79 (Dad owned it since it was delivered from the factory, 460, C-6, Lariat). I had an '84 (351W-HO, C-6,Loaded XLT). My dad has a '90 and has had different F-series since the 60's. I have been looking for a new truck for the last month. By new I mean within a few years. Why? Not because my '76 is ugly, junky, doesn't run, isn't a sweet truck. Reasons.... gas, reliability, reliability, gas. The truck is sweet. I trimmed the interior with all the creature comforts (raised rear bench seat, power windows, locks, killer sound system). The truck can haul @$$!! That 390 can move. I have towed 11K lbs. worth of concrete with it (oops, I forgot it was a half-ton) and with out a fuss. I have taken a 7/8 of a cube of block up into the mountains (I think I need a one-ton, cube of block weighs 4770 lbs). It is a great truck. I also worked for a Ford dealer, working on old and new alike. There is now way I would go back to an old truck for a daily driver unless I was willing to spend as much on the old truck as it would be to get a new one (30K or so). Reason being: The OLD PIG IRON of (1950's design)FE motors, (1970's design, well the latest version of the 302) 302-351 series, (1970's design) 429-460 series cannot match that of the 4.6 or 5.4 when it comes to reliablility. Has anyone noticed modular motors use 5W20? They are machined a heck of a lot tighter, consequences: less side to side movement (thrust), less twisting, more oil pressure (though slight). Did I mention I am studying to be a mechanical engineer? They are smoother and can lay just as much rubber. They can yank around just as much trailer (and at a lot less loss in fuel economy). Now, the one thing I did notice is that they can not haul as much, they need a healthier rear suspension (soon to come in the 04's). I do miss twin I-beam in the half ton, but then I tell myself it is just a half ton. I do miss the bed side tool boxes (73-79). I miss being able to jumb on the gas and the whole truck rock side to side. I can deal with not having those things if.... The truck is reliable, and it gets better than 10-15 mpg, which you can even get out of a 5.4 unmodified. As for you guys with the 300 I-6.... give it up, it was a boat anchor, sure it had torque, but it was P.U.

 

Boat anchor huh?! I will put my 300 against any small block in a bumper to bumper tuga war and be prepared to get dragged around! Boat anchor huh? Yeah thats why Ford guaranteed them for 150k. If it's such a boat anchor how did my uncle get 400k out of his 75 f100 on the original 300 six? I don't know what you're smoken, but ask anyone who knows engines and they will say the 300 is by far the best engine Ford ever produced. Oh and if it is such a piece of s#!t how come they kept it in production from 1966 - 1996?

 

Piston slap = Tighter tolerances? 5w-20? I can't say the newer OHC engines are ground breaking improvements over the 300, 302, 351, and 460. Just a different design.