Engines

Dave , love your work and every thing is kinda relative (not sure about 4 cyl stuff) opps VW good we have one a 1960 model its has an injected 1776 with Megasquirt anyway my average fuel bill for my work ute (290kw 6s/auto) runs between $750/$850 per month travel is approx 3500ks P/M anyway ol pink bits i just love it and enjoy when time permits (wish it was every day) the ol girls just a pleasure to drive WHO CARES , I figure at $7.50 plus a gallon downunder you Guys & GALS are almost on easy street go and enjoy all life has to offer and it aint just numbers LONGROOFS family fun and in most cases youngins lovemmmmm

 

My apologies to y'all. And nothing intended by the VW crack. I was just saying that if we wanted gas mileage, we might as well buy one. They make power and I have lost more than one race to a VW, as much as it pisses me off to confess it. Anyway, Most of these beauties from the 6-'s, 70's, and 80's are not exactly MPG oriented. There was a 14 MPG minimum here in the US due to EPA regulations but I try not to mention it. My own car which I race on a regular basis and drive to the track which is over 100 miles away,is still getting 12 MPG. I wouldn't lose any sleep if it didn't though. And if gas were as high as some of the prices people pay in other countries, I would still race it and pay the prices just because in my line of work (Hobby if you will?) it is just the price you pay if you want to play.
much love.
Dave.

 

Here's local examples good to go

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/pts/3610274927.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/pts/3612097010.html

 

If you're looking for FORD engine info, you might wanna try FTE (Ford Truck Enthusiasts www.Ford-Trucks.com). Especially if you're building for torque & not speed.

 

Mug, I know your intentions are good......


But 1st link......what does almost and and mostly ex-ak-aree meeen?...
quote...
The engine was almost entirely rebuilt with mostly new parts


2nd link....as I posted priour, everything work great before it was pulled...and now it's sitting on a tire., all that for $1300 and a bag of chips. Could be a honest engine, but ya just never know for $1300..... it's not like your getting it from a years long friend and know the history.

Just saying....

 

Hey! Thats CHEAP! cheaper than a 351W on average that I have seen... gonna look into this some more then..

 

Actually you could probably buy a bb truck for 1500 and test drive and have radiator etc.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3547484186.html

. I would offer 800 for either engine. One has fuel injection. the other is compleat w/ tranny.

 

Just to play devils advocate
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/pts/3615430000.html

 

THAT truck is perfect but its CANADA! Nothin against Canada but the distance!

 

This truck looks like a good deal. It's a CA truck and looks in great shape!

 

Well now. This thread went pear shaped in a hurry.

If I had to start from a bare engine compartment in my Torino and the engine had to beat blue Ford blood...I'd be making a choice from three very different engines meant for three very different driving styles.

1) Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0L (4.9L, 302cid) with GT40P heads. This engine would receive a custom grind cam to remain computer compatible and maximize fuel mileage, .475-.480" lift, maybe 255-260 advertised duration. Port and polish on the heads and intake, 65mm throttle body (maybe 70mm), K&N Filter and intake tube (warm air, not cold), custom tune with a few hours of dyno time to make it just right, block hugger headers, X-pipe, high flow cats, welded mufflers, 2.25 inch all the way back, mandrel bent, stainless exhaust. Behind it, an AOD automatic built for 350-400hp, stock 1400-1800rpm stall converter, lockup, shift kit, Lokar throttle/"kickdown" cable, I'd keep my tires and gears the way they are (P205/75R14 26.1" dia and 2.75:1 open 9") and that would give me 1800-1850rpm at 75mph right where I want it here in Texas and Oklahoma. I would expect 17-19mpg in town and 23-25mpg on the road in a 4000-4300lb sedan this way.

2) the '72 351C I have now would be my second choice, built very different from how I have it though, it would get Aussie heads, ported and polished, DEH265 CompCams dual energy camshaft, a 750cfm Holley or Demon carb, dual plane intake manifold, full length headers and 2.5 inch exhaust front to back, no cats, Flowmaster 70s, and all backed by a TKO500, wider tires (probably 245/60R15) and more hear (probably 3.25's, trac-loc) Yes, I would cut a hole in my floor to run a 5-speed, and yes, it would be worth it with 300-350hp on tap. I would expect 18mpg with this. On the highway. Probably 12-14 in town.

3) '71-'73 400 335 Series engine, bone stock inside and out but with an RV cam, Edelbrock Performer intake and carb, TFI ignition, and an AOD behind it but with a custom bellhousing to fit. 2.75 gears, same skinny tires. I would expect 15mpg with this in town because of the extra cubes, but I would expect 23-25mpg on the highway like the 302. I might also do the same thing but with a 351M engine and TBI injection from a 350 GM engine. A 351W would work the same and you can get an adapter to use the 302 EFI upper intake and run stock 302 fuel injection (but tune it and maybe slightly larger injectors).

Which one is the most reliable? I'd say the 400, properly cared for, would last the longest.

 

I was pretty much thinking about something like #3..

 

The more I think about this (even though I try not to), with your given perameters, I still am liking OrthmanJ's suggestion. The proven Ford torquey truck engine, 300 straight six. A strong engine that will do all the things you want.

 

After a lot of research and in the situation that I would be using it in; I am finding concerns about crankshaft stability and cam durability about the Ford 300.

From curb weights of both vehicles total minus the drive train of the wagon and minus the body of the truck plus the estimated added on metal from the interior rollcage, front bar,winches and such; I estimate the overall weight would be about 5000-5500 lbs. Add in the four wheel drive system and its associated power losses in throughput.
Add in that the vehicle will be a 'power-crawler' under 5000 RPM and under 75 mph will superior durability and torque. It has to be able to live with crap gas of various octanes. It has to be cheap as can be with minimum power mods.
Mileage is not of a paramount performance as I intend to put 50 gallon fuel capacity tanks on it.
All this in view and considering that the later model 351W seem to be plagued with oiling issues, weak-ish blocks, and valvetrain geometry that seems to need durability modification.
I have finally and firmly decided on the 460 Ford Truck engine.

 

Yup....from what you just said, a BB is the operative choice.