Best ideas for building a FI 300 six
 

So the 300 in my poor old '95 is done. I've got too much in the truck to just scrap the poor sucker, so I've got some options.

For around $1300+ core I can get a long block from any of the parts stores, drop it in, and have a 3year, unlimited mileage warranty. My other option is to have a local machine shop do the work. He said it varies, but for between $1000 and $2000 (he'd know more when he saw it) he could do a complete rebuild which includes boring it over, new pistons, etc, etc.

Now there is something to be said for a low price with a warranty, but there is also something to be said for knowing who is doing the work and being able to custom order stuff. For example the machine shop probably wouldn't mind to help me bump the compression a bit, put in a different cam, etc.

Thoughts?

Best ideas for building a fuel injected 300? I already have a header so some things to take advantage of that would be nice. Many inline engines have nylon cam gears that can be replaced with metal. Good idea or no? Was thinking of going with a different cam, something like the ISKY 331256. It has higher lift on a relatively short duration. Previous experience tells me that lift = free horsepower provided your valvetrain can handle it, and the lower duration would help keep the computer and my gas mileage happy. Shoot for around 9.5:1 compression. Higher than stock should help the cam but still be plenty pump gas friendly.

About the cylinder head.... Being an iron beast there probably aren't a whole lot of people who are willing to touch it, at least not any who know what they are doing. Is there anything that can be done to it that a regular machine shop could do?

Basically I need a reliable driver. I don't mind to give up a little mileage if it means increased performance, but I can't have it getting single digit mileage either. It's a manual tranny so I could deal with a slightly lopey idle without having to mess with the torque converter or anything.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

I'd personally go the machine shop route. You could just have him do the machine work and then buy the internals and do the install yourself, it's easier than you think.

Would be cool to bump the compression and cam it with a little head work but I don't know who can do that.

I'm sorry to hear about your engine. Having a local guy, especially one who has been around for a long time, will always have advantages. He should also offer a warranty.

Regarding building for an EFI, there are things you have to watch out for. Is you truck an OBDI or OBDII setup? Camming for an SD vs. MAF engine is a little different because of how the computer works. There are a lot of threads that cover these things in the Ford Inline Six subforums here (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum52/) and over at fordsix.com.

You should be able to hit 200-225hp and stay pump friendly...

Is that to the wheels and with stock injectors?

Should be no less than 180-190 to the wheels with a tad larger injectors.

A simple upgrade in injectors would be going from the single hole pintle style to the 4 hole version. Evan P did it and reported a small bump in power.

I've been trying to come up with a few things I can do to my old tired truck without a full engine swap. It's really not horrible but I'm used to having more power than necessary.