2.9 V6 reliability & fuel economy

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Nov 14, 2024 | 01:56 PM

1977-F350

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Mountain Pass

Joined: May 2020

Posts: 112

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2.9 V6 reliability & fuel economy

I'm looking for a little run around vehicle, and the bronco II caught my eye. Is the 2.9 a good engine? And what do y'all get for fuel mileage?
My Ford 460 gets expensive to daily...Haha
Thanks!

Nov 14, 2024 | 03:39 PM

KingDeleted

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2019

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Just in my experience, the 2.9 is a fuel consuming gutless wonder. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t buy another one but that’s just what they are. I had an 87 bronco II (nicknamed the deuce) and let me tell you, it took a severe beating. IIRC I got about 13-15 mpg

Nov 18, 2024 | 09:04 AM

Fingerstyler

5th Wheeling

Joined: Aug 2020

Posts: 33

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It's the love that matters!

I love my 1986 EB 4wd gutless fuel consuming 2.9! I had it rebuilt at 209k in April 2024 and all the engine trimmings are new! I think i still get 13mpg in town.

Nov 21, 2024 | 06:57 PM

Beechkid

Moderator

Joined: Aug 2002

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From: Southern California

the 2.9 is not a fast V6 but it's a very, very good reliable long lasting engine.

Yesterday | 10:25 PM

ruphianh

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2016

Posts: 343

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Fingerstyler

I love my 1986 EB 4wd gutless fuel consuming 2.9! I had it rebuilt at 209k in April 2024 and all the engine trimmings are new! I think i still get 13mpg in town.

I just hand calced 12.5mpg city but the speedo is about 10% or more off so I’m guess I’m getting 11. I have a pretty good miss on a cylinder or two. 150 on all cylinders. 100 on two others, on different banks and physical locations. Pretty sure I have 190k miles on the engine and it’s the heads/valves seals/seats going bad.

probably going to buy some aftermarket heads and do the head gasket to get it running better.

The auto trans lockout solenoids failed too but it’s so gutless 4th locked out is almost useless so I don’t mind it running unlocked. It has a trans cooler on it anyways.