Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

New Meat

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 01:06 PM
  #1  
Alvinmac's Avatar
Alvinmac
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
New Meat

I'm new to this forum, but I've participated in others for a while. Had a question that I've asked in other forums, so I'd like to hear what you all think. I have a '77 Ford F100. Nice clean truck inside and out. A lot of work has been put into the. I'm running a 302, flowmaster exhaust, headers, mild cam, and holley carb. The engines run very well, but just not enough muscle for the truck, so I'm looking to drop in a new motor. I't is'nt used for racing, pulling or anything like that. It's just a little toy I play with in the garage, ocassionally I go to Lowe's for my wife or I may pull a trailer with two bikes. I've been told everything from 351W to going big with a 460, which does sound like fun, but I think maybe a waste of a good engine. Any suggestions?
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 01:15 PM
  #2  
mark a.'s Avatar
mark a.
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Likes: 153
Have you considered a 400 ?
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 01:15 PM
  #3  
JBradley500's Avatar
JBradley500
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: America
are you looking to swap in a stock engine or what? i guess estimate what youre willing to spend and that can narrow down the choices.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 01:26 PM
  #4  
79FordBlake's Avatar
79FordBlake
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 2
From: Wingo, Ky
Sounds like that 302 should move that truck around fairly well. To high rear end gear maybe?

Look at the mods ive done to the 302 in my 79 F150 in my sig below. As you can see its not much. It will pull my 6,000 pound tractor around no problem when my dad's 92 F350 isnt available for use.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 01:42 PM
  #5  
Alvinmac's Avatar
Alvinmac
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
I have considered a 400. Did'nt really want to go up to a C6, but I could.

I did'nt really want to swap it with just a stock motor. I figured since it's not a daily driver, I have time to build up a good strong engine that once I drop it in, there's no reason to pull it out for upgrades unless something goes wrong.

The 302 does move the truck pretty well, but I want to roast my tires every now and then and the 302 definitely is'nt doing it. I'm sure in a foxbody or something, it would get your attention, but not in this F100.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 02:00 PM
  #6  
79FordBlake's Avatar
79FordBlake
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 2
From: Wingo, Ky
Ive seen plenty of 302 stock in these trucks that can burn the tires to the ground.

I have a 73 F100 302, 74 f100 302, and the 79 f150 302, none have a problem with eating tires, lol.

I have brand new tires on my 73 F100 with stock everything on the engine and I have already burned them off. I feel like a freakin idiot, Im glad Im growing out of my "hotrod" stage of life b/c I have to go buy new tires already! Oh well thats what I get for not ignoring my friends when they say "hey bet that truck cant burn the tires" lol.
Im really beting the gears in the rear-end have been changed to higher at sometime.
Well I guess ill stop babbling, just kinda felt like I had to defend my little 302's b.c they are my favorite engine.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 02:06 PM
  #7  
JBradley500's Avatar
JBradley500
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: America
If i were in your situation, id get a windsor and stoke it to a 408 or 427 and get some used aluminum heads because stockers wont move enough air to make good power later in the rpms with that many cubes. with an off the shelf cam and a 750 or so carb, i bet youd be more than impressed and you wouldnt go broke.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 02:08 PM
  #8  
Alvinmac's Avatar
Alvinmac
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
79ForbBlake,
What are you gears in the rear? I will look into that. I have been told by several people in other forums that the body was just too heavy for the 302. If it's just a matter of changing the gearing in rear, I will be more than happy to stick with my 302.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 02:18 PM
  #9  
79FordBlake's Avatar
79FordBlake
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 2
From: Wingo, Ky
Originally Posted by Alvinmac
79ForbBlake,
What are you gears in the rear? I will look into that. I have been told by several people in other forums that the body was just too heavy for the 302. If it's just a matter of changing the gearing in rear, I will be more than happy to stick with my 302.

73 F100- 3.25. Very good off the line and you can cruise along at 60-65 great. Stock engine.
74 F100- 3.50. Really good off the line, still comfortable to cruise around 60. mild cam in it.
79 F1500- 3.00 gears. Little slow off line(mostly b.c I need a stall and some head work with the cam I chose) I cruise at 70 with it. Iv'e had it to 125 and rpm was still below 5,000.

I dont believe for a second these trucks are to heavy for the 302. I have to many friends of mine that have 302s in their dents and love them.

Unless you are planning on doing heavy towing with your truck I wouldnt replace a 302 with anything.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 02:24 PM
  #10  
Alvinmac's Avatar
Alvinmac
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Thanks. I will look into the 3.50. So I take it the higher the gears, the slower it is off the line?
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2010 | 02:30 PM
  #11  
79FordBlake's Avatar
79FordBlake
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 2
From: Wingo, Ky
Yep you got it higher is slower off line with more top end. Depending on tire size 3.50 should be good. 302s like to turn(rpm) anyway. Hope you get a combo together that works for ya.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:01 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE