Best Engine

[1970f100x]

Yeah, I see that no one has posted a thread about this. What is the best engine for bumps? Is it the straight 6s, or the 302-390 v8s? Do explain.

[FreakysFords]

Depends on what you want really.

I love the 240-300s they're great strong reliable engines and have tons of potential hid away in them.

I love the small blocks (sans the 302, just a personal thing with me) I've had a 289 in one and loved it. I've also had a 351w in it and loved it. The "wolf pack" (dent) has a 302 and so it shall remain.

That said, I LOVE the FE! If you are after stump pullin grunt, a stroker (410 ^) with some decent porting, good cam and good valve combo is awesome. It's not going to be the most fuel efficient engine by ANY means, but it's sure a blast.

IMHO, there is no wrong engine (in those you list). For me it's the FE stroker, but when I start the next bump, it'll be either a small block or I6 as I already have my FE (s).

[averagef250]

There have been dozens and dozens of best engine threads here.

If I absolutely had to choose a best engine in a bump, one that would make anyone driving it happy, last forever and do anything you ask of it while getting great mileage I would choose the 300 hands down.

FE's and 385 motors are fun, little diesels kick butt in the mileage and towing department but not everyone likes the noise.

Note: I don't mention the 302 above. The Ford engineer who thought it would be a good idea to put a short stroke small inch V8 in a truck should have been shot.

[peanutman]

Iv'e heard lots of good things about the 300 six. Good all around engines from what i understand. I will have to disagree w/dustin on the 302. There good engines,get decent fuel milage, and with the right gears will pull a moderate load- just right for a half ton truck. F250 and above you need a big block, 352-390 but you will hate the gas milage if thats important to you.

It's all in what you want to do with the truck. Parts are still readily available for all mentioned Except for small block ford factory exhaust parts.

[fitzwell]

351w. Big bearing area, enough low end grunt to make ya giggle, parts readily available.

Don't really know why everyone bags on the 302...mine does just fine. Decent gas milage, pulls a trailer without much effort. Someday i'll remember which heads i put on it

[peanutman]

351w. Big bearing area, enough low end grunt to make ya giggle, parts readily available.

Don't really know why everyone bags on the 302...mine does just fine. Decent gas milage, pulls a trailer without much effort. Someday i'll remember which heads i put on it

[69twotone]

I have a 351 w in mine and love it as far as power and abilities go. When it comes to gas though I dont think I get much better than 8-10 mpg in the city.

[willowbilly3]

That's like asking what's the best flavor of ice cream. Everyone has their own preferences for different reasons.

I say Chocolate

[hotrod ford]

it's all in what you want. tq, hpw, work or play? stock, street, strip or street and strip. so many options, so many engines. the best is what will work for you.

[sgs]

I am probably one of very few who has purchased a 300, 302, 360 in F series trucks, all 1976 or older, as new vehicles. So this is the voice of experience speaking. They are all good engines. The 302 probably got the best mileage but that was in a 4X2. The 300 would have been close, even in a 4X4. The 360 pulled real well and despite what many here say, would get 14-15mpg if you drove it right and kept the rpm's below 2500. The 300 had a fun type of low end torque and I will always have a spot in my heart for that engine. The 360 would out pull the 300 but it should, it has 60 more cubes.

I also owned a 390, which has more power than a 360 and got better mileage. I spent my honeymoon in the back of a 67 F250 with a 240cid and liked it, and the honeymoon real well!

sgs

[lifted72]

I guess i have to be the odd man out... whenever i had a running 351C in my pickup i loved it. Lots of available horsepower, they just feel really strong. And they have some of the best designed heads ever, but most of the horsepower is high up in the rpm's. I like the high revving motors, and winding the heck out of them is their strong point. Some people say they don't have any torque, but i disagree. Now if i could just get mine running again. The worst thing about the motor is it doesn't come with hardened valve seats, but oh well.

[binder56jd]

the best 1 is the 1 running and not using oil or givin' ya grief

personally, anything other than an fe or 385 series--i've had my share of bb and prefer the sb or the 300 6


and i like mine vanilla w/ lots of choc syrup

[willowbilly3]

the best 1 is the 1 running and not using oil or givin' ya grief

personally, anything other than an fe or 385 series--i've had my share of bb and prefer the sb or the 300 6


and i like mine vanilla w/ lots of choc syrup

Amen on that jd. I have had good and bad on most except the 300, all good. For my money, it would be a 300. Since most Ford V8s tend to have some level of drinking problem, might as well go 460.
Or maybe put a 425 Olds motor in one. Then you could spank a 460 on half the gas.

[peanutman]

My granny had a 70 something buick electra w/ a 455. It would flat out fly, but if you drove it right it would get 18 mpg

[binder56jd]

the best 1 is the 1 running and not using oil or givin' ya grief

personally, anything other than an fe or 385 series--i've had my share of bb and prefer the sb or the 300 6


and i like mine vanilla w/ lots of choc syrup

Amen on that jd. I have had good and bad on most except the 300, all good. For my money, it would be a 300. Since most Ford V8s tend to have some level of drinking problem, might as well go 460.
Or maybe put a 425 Olds motor in one. Then you could spank a 460 on half the gas.

i had a 68 olds with a 455 --a screamin' mi mi that was in the late 70's-prob got 14 mpg--didn't care in those days