360,351 or 302?

[Fordlorn]

This old Ford I have has a 360 in it and though it seems to run ok, I can tell it's one of those engines that is probably only gonna last a year at the most. It was parked for several years and was beaten rather badly before it was parked. It shows signs of overheating and the underbody shows some moderate damage. I live in farm country and I'm guessing this truck has seen it's fair share of drunken-nighttime-Bubba-coyote hunting! Nothing I can't fix though. My question is this: When I come to the point of putting a fresh engine in it, which is better, the 360, 351 or the 302? I'm not wanting to really hotrod the thing, just have a nice V8 truck that can handle a little truck duty. The engines are nothing special, just your basic engines. The 302 I have is complete, it just needs to be rebuilt. The 351 is block only, I'd have to buy heads, manifold etc.. And if there is some major reason for building the 351 I'd definitely consider the extra investment to build it. Or is the 360 the better engine? The truck is a SWB Flareside 2WD with 4 speed. Things to consider are: fuel mileage, weight, dependability and of course stock power. What would you do and why?

[theskytoucher]

I would stick with the 360 just cause you already have everything to there you dont have to buy engine stands mounts bell housing stuff like that!!! And the 360 is gonna be the best truck motor out of the three! The only thing is the fuel mileage is gonna be a little less than the other two!!!

[ToughOldFord]

For durability and longevity I'd vote for the 360. If mileage is a big factor though then go with the 351.

[1967AceStroker]

The easy way is to put a 360 cause it will bolt right in, and they run really good, but wouldn't get as good of fuel mileage as the others. The best on fuel milage is the 302, and they do run pretty good. The 351 would probably be the happy medium for power and fuel mileage. I would perfer the 360 if it was up to me though.

[69bumptruck]

Things to consider are: fuel mileage, weight, dependability and of course stock power.

Given the factors you're looking at, I think a 351 would be the best compromise. But, a properly built 302 would work well too. I would go the opposite of everyone else, and rule out the 360 (just because of fuel mileage). I got rid of my 360, and am going with a 302. But hey, it's all a matter of opinions.

[sideoilerfe]

302's do not belong in trucks unless you've got a short box that you're making a hot rod and will not tow anything with. 360 is your best bet between the three. If mileage is an issue and you need to tow and haul I suggest the 300 6.

[fitzwell]

302's do not belong in trucks unless you've got a short box that you're making a hot rod and will not tow anything with. 360 is your best bet between the three. If mileage is an issue and you need to tow and haul I suggest the 300 6.

Guess again.

The 302 in my 69 longbed makes decent power, will haul a load, and gets 15-17 mpg when dirven in a reasonably sane manor. My 68 is getting a 351w. IMHO, the best of both worlds, and then some. Capable of big power (if needed) HUGE bearing area, and relatively light weight. E7 heads, smallish cam, Weiand intake & holley carb..300-350 horses at your command. With an AOD, i see no reason this combo won't get 20 mpg......but i digress.


360 make a nice boat anchor. Heavy, Junk heads, and no fuel economy. Add tiny bore.....you know the rest. If it was my choice, it would be 351w, then a warmed over 302. If you are bound & determined to keep an FE motor in the truck (motor mounts, brackets, etc) at least do a 390.


and as always......

[Fordlorn]

You guys arent' much help! You make me want to buy three more trucks just so I can put one of each in them. I did find a 300 six at the wrecking yard today and the guy said it was a good runner(of course ) and he said I could have it for $700. I sure would like to put it back to original seeing as that is what it came with. The engine is out of an '85 Bronco. I have to admit I'm not really too concerned about fuel mileage. And I really like the sound of a nicely tuned and exhausted 300 six. I know, I know I'm a little off center! But let's see how I like this 360 first. This will be my first Ford V8. The only other Fords I've had were a '69 Fairlane Futura wagon with a 200 six, and my '86 Bronco that I had for 12 years with the 300 six. I sure like that dizzy in the front, kicks Chevy's arse!

[sideoilerfe]

302's do not belong in trucks unless you've got a short box that you're making a hot rod and will not tow anything with. 360 is your best bet between the three. If mileage is an issue and you need to tow and haul I suggest the 300 6.

Guess again.



...360 make a nice boat anchor. Heavy, Junk heads, and no fuel economy. Add tiny bore.....

Tiny bore??? the 302 has a 4.00 inch bore and the 360 has a 4.05 inch bore.

[willowbilly3]

I've never had a 351 that got any decent mileage. Nice thing is with one is the 5 speed will bolt on. Get that 360 breathing decent and it can get 15 pretty easy (if driven sensibly)
But, FE engines can survive in the throes of death for a really long time. My 390 was tired when I got it with a rear main leak and real weak oil pressure. I have driven it 30,000 miles and it is still the same.

[fitzwell]

302's do not belong in trucks unless you've got a short box that you're making a hot rod and will not tow anything with. 360 is your best bet between the three. If mileage is an issue and you need to tow and haul I suggest the 300 6.

Guess again.



...360 make a nice boat anchor. Heavy, Junk heads, and no fuel economy. Add tiny bore.....

Tiny bore??? the 302 has a 4.00 inch bore and the 360 has a 4.05 inch bore.

302 4.00 bore. Add 58 inches and .05 bore ?? Sorry. 360 is a slug. Always has been, always will be.

Fordlorn, if you really like the idea of a 300...go for it. get the split mainfolds off a late van, 08007 holley, and rock & roll. Thats the combination i was going to run before my truck got recovered a couple of years back.

[H-DFord]

Ive had this same battle going on. Im running a 360 now and I beleive it's getting 14 mpg. I wanted to go with a 300 but a friend had one and said he only got 15 mpg with it. And yes Ive also found a 302 and a 351w. Id really like to get my truck up to 18mpg and stay automatic. I can sure understand the desire to just build 3 or 4 trucks and have one of each. I know im not any help , more in the same boat you are in with this. John

[Fordlorn]

Well, if what you say is true Willowbilly, I've got plenty of time to make up my mind. I've always said that the Ford's may not always be the fastest or best runners but they always seem to run. I've owned a LOT of Chevy's and you can't say that about Chevy's. I really do like the idea of the 300 six and will more than likely go that way. All I really need is a rebuildable core. I really want to do a nice build on one. No big cam or anything, maybe an RV cam and a header with an optimized dizzy, an intake with primo carburation, other than that, just a nice build. Of course it will have to have a nice (read "not loud") throaty exhaust. Maybe a big Cherry Bomb style muff..

[MaxKlinger]

This thread was destined to be a p!ssing contest from the beginning; you're going to end up with endless debate about the FEs vs. the Windsors. Everyone's got their preference.

Personally if I ever put an engine in a truck again I'll go with the 300 straight six. Although the Diesel guys have me intrigued by the Cummins 4BT.

[sideoilerfe]

... Sorry. 360 is a slug. Always has been, always will be.

302's are good engines, just not for towing. Take 2 identical trucks one with a 302, the other with an equally built 360 and tow 3000 lbs up a 6% grade and tell me which engine is a "slug."

That being said, I wouldn't put a 360 in place of a 302 in a mustang either. Two good engines, two different applications.