Beefing up the 300--article

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Jun 3, 2010 | 02:50 PM

F-250 restorer

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From: Near Los Angeles

Beefing up the 300--article

In the coming issue of Bronco Driver, and possibly True Blue Trucks, is an article about how to get more power from the 300.

It also gives some history, color, reputation regarding that engine, and how it differs from v8's.

Abandoned Bronco and Harte3 are quoted. This forum is also mentioned several times for being such a wealth of helpful knowledge...most of the time. Ha ha.

Jun 3, 2010 | 03:23 PM

AbandonedBronco

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From: Boise, Idaho

I'll have to get my hands on that magazine. It sounds like a great read. Not enough attention is given to the 300, especially in Broncos. Lots of trucks are meant to work, but Broncos are generally for play or ego, so the V8 went with that a lot more naturally. Not saying there aren't play/ego trucks or no work Broncos, but they seem to sway that way a lot more.

I'll keep my eyes out!

Jun 3, 2010 | 04:20 PM

im2tall33

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From: Coeur d alene, Id

i will be looking forward to that article

Jun 4, 2010 | 11:38 AM

91Bronc300

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Hey!

My bronco is my work truck. Tows my eighteen foot flatbed trailer fairly often. I way overload the GVWR practically everytime. It's not an ego thing. At least, not that much. Although I'm trying to get the 79 on the road as quickly (and cheaply) as I can the bronco makes a good work mobile. When I went bronco shopping is looked around specifically for the 4.9L/5spd combo because I didn't want either the 5.8 or 5.0 or an automatic. I hear your argument though. I might be the only person in this state (probably somewhat foolishly) who uses a bronco as a 3/4 ton work truck.

Restorer: Since you seem connected to Bronco Driver mag do you know who won the Orange Crush?

Jun 4, 2010 | 11:55 AM

AbandonedBronco

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From: Boise, Idaho

Definitely know what you mean.

I certainly see "work Broncos". But I think the fact that they only made them on the 150 frame, and all of them have 4wd. Also, if I heard right, you couldn't get a factory installed trailer hitch (dealer installed is a different story) because of the liability from the short wheelbase. 5 seater, small bed (only fully accessible if the top's taken off.)

Adds up and goes to show that they're made for play, and more play!

In this case, most were just ordered up with the V8 for more playing power. A Bronco with an I6 was generally from someone who wanted a Bronco but not the higher price, or the select group who knew that it was a great choice.

Either way, I love seeing them in Broncos. It's like a special treat.

Jun 4, 2010 | 12:24 PM

91Bronc300

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I agree. Back in Utah where I bought it the internet classifieds had about 150 broncos and maybe 5 had the inline. And I bought the ONLY one with the inline and 5spd.

BTW I just use a 2 inch ball on the bumper and a flat four post plug tapped into the taillights. And yeah, the top is off and there is no rubber or insulation left anywhere on the floor. The entire tub is bare metal (cab included). I finally put a front bench seat back in (I ditched the back bench when I bought it). Only had a bucket for the driver most of the time I've driven it. I sure do love inline motors. It doesn't move the bronco fast (think OJ Simpson on the run) but they are definitely endearing.

And the only way to own one is in front of a manual transmission. Right AB?

(don't tell 6cylBill I said that)

Jun 4, 2010 | 12:39 PM

Rogue_Wulff

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From: Lost

In my opinion, the perfect drivetrain for a work truck is the 300 I6, 5 speed, and 3.50/3.55 gears (9" vs 8.8"). If its gonna be a slushbox, it's gotta be a C6. Less MPG with the C6, but way more durable than the Mazda 5 speed. The ZF trumps both.
This holds true for either 2wd or 4wd.
I'm putting 3.50 axles and a C6 with BW TC under my truck, but I'd go to either 5 speed in a heartbeat, if I could find the stuff as cheaply as I did the C6. Free is pretty darn cheap......

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Jun 4, 2010 | 12:58 PM

F-250 restorer

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From: Near Los Angeles

I'm curious. I suspected what you said about the c-6 and mileage. I imagine the performance would be better with a manual as well.

I'm wondering how the Gear Vendor unit will effect mpg. I know it will do about 25% better on the highway, but I'm curious how having 6 gears will effect mpg in town.

I'm definately staying with the C-6. I have towed unbelievable loads over mountains and deserts, and it never failed me. I still chuckle when my highly modified c6 shifts, because it feels like you have a six-year-old sitting next to you who accidently kicks the shifter...boom!

I was very lucky to find an old C6 guys who works out of his shop/garage, and he was bored. When he told me all the mods he did, I didn't know what to make of it. But I'm happy with it, and judging by what other trans shops charge, I got one hell of a deal.

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9; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> 1. made 3 plate direct into 4 plate by machining .160" higher snap ring groove.. <o

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2. made 4 plate low/reverse clutch into a 5 plate setup by machining .150" off the pressure plate snap ring area<o

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3. installed Transgo shift kit into your valve body during rebuild<o

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4. installed Sonnax Billet R servo setup<o

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5. complete rebuild kit with new band, pump bushing, all new frictions, rubber, seals, rings, etc.<o

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6. spent a friggin hour plus on that ugly ugly ugly pan of yours... lol it was really bad..pounded out all the dents and then glass beaded it inside out.. had a lot of rust. then painted the pan with Duplicolor Cast Coat Iron color..<o

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7. installed E4OD sprag setup.. which includes new race, torrington bearing and new late style clutch/roller set<o

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8. changed your servo ratio arm from a J arm to an E arm.. different letter arms multiply the output of the servo at different ratios.. the E arm is very close to the F arm that Ford put in the Cobrajet C6's. <o

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9. new adjustable modulator and new modulator hose..

I since changed the pan to Summit cast al. with the deep capacity.

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Jun 4, 2010 | 01:04 PM

6CylBill

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From: Almost Heaven

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91Bronc300

(don't tell 6cylBill I said that)

hehehe! Hey I won't argue with you. I wish I had a manual too. I think it's common knowledge the best combo is a 300 mated to a manual transmission with 3.55 / 3.73 gears and four wheel drive.

Automatics have their place, but they are best used for light duty trucks in flat lands. These hills are hard on automatic's if you're stopping and going a lot. Sometimes I just manually shift the tranny where I want it so prevent it from shifting back and forth.

I love Bronco's. I almost bought one some time back. It was flat black with the 302/auto. I loved that truck.

Jun 4, 2010 | 01:05 PM

#10

Rogue_Wulff

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From: Lost

The C6 lack OD, which is part of the MPG hit. The C6 also eats about 40HP, more than any other auto, and way more than a manual. This also affects MPG, but to a lessor degree.
Adding the OD unit will help highway MPG. If it were me, it would be used in direct 100% of the time in city traffic, and OD as allowed on the highway, and only in 3rd gear in the C6.

Looking over that list, you've got a near bulletproof C6. I've heard of nearly every one of those mods, and they are all the "Cats Meow" in the HD C6 world......
Adding the deep sump pan, just gives a bit more fluid capacity, which allows the trans to operate a bit cooler. Prolly why Ford used a deeper sump pan on the 4wd C6......

Jun 4, 2010 | 01:31 PM

#11

AbandonedBronco

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From: Boise, Idaho

The problem is the C6 is that it's a lot like the 300 in many regards. It isn't made for power and performance, but for strength, durability, and reliability.

When you put the two together, you have a very reliable drivetrain, but end up with a low performance engine on a low performance transmission.

It hogs power (when put on a stock 300, 40hp is nearly 1/3 of the engine's power output!), no overdrive, and no locking torque converter are a recipe for sluggish, low economy performance.

Jun 4, 2010 | 01:42 PM

#12

Rogue_Wulff

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From: Lost

The C6 is a bit of a power hog, But it was used behind nearly every engine ford offered thru the 70's, 80's, and well into the 90's. From the I6 to the big block gassers, and even the diesels. It's VERY tough and reliable.
The e4od actually uses many of the same parts as a C6, but also adds electronics into the equation. Reasonably tough, somewhat reliable, and adds the OD & locking converter the C6 lacks, but also requires a computer to operate it.
The primary shortcoming of the C6, is the MPG hit you take when the truck is geared for pulling. An auxilary OD box fills the void quite nicely.

Jun 4, 2010 | 02:45 PM

#13

F-250 restorer

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From: Near Los Angeles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue_Wulff

Some years back I switched rears to 3.31's IIRC (or was it 3.33?). It helps a bit with mpg, but really saw the difference pulling the trailor over the passes into Oregon. But you know, towing/hauling around town I don't even notice the difference from the 3.74's. I'm sure with the GV installed, having 6 gears and getting (hopefully) real close to 20mpg on the highway, I'll be happy.

Jun 4, 2010 | 02:48 PM

#14

AbandonedBronco

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From: Boise, Idaho

What's stopping you from putting the GV on? I'm anxiously waiting to hear what that does for you.

Jun 4, 2010 | 03:12 PM

#15

F-250 restorer

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Lead Driver

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From: Near Los Angeles

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbandonedBronco

40 hp!? Wow. I wonder how much the manual trans take?

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