Ford 300 Straight 6 in a Chevy AD?

[jrdamien]

I've got access to the original 216 for my build but want something more fuel efficient (while keeping it an older engine for simplicity sake).

Anyone drop a 240 or 300 ci into their AD? Or, any recommendations for a similar engine that can approach 20 mpg?

[Henry50]

Not many 6 cyl engines get 20 mpg, but why not use a 250 or 292 Chevy instead of the ford?

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by Henry50

Not many 6 cyl engines get 20 mpg, but why not use a 250 or 292 Chevy instead of the ford?

The 300 "Mileage Maker" that was in a previous '66 F100 got 20 mpg consistently on the highway. It was well tuned but none the less.

The reason for the idea was they are plentiful, powerful and cheap.

Really I'd use anything that got good mileage - even a 4 cyl of some sort of it were powerful enough to move a 1/2 ton about.

[av8tr33337]

I had a 1966 F@#D f100 and I loved it. I might get some hateful look here, but that was one of the best running and durable trucks I ever owned. The twin I beam suspension was great. That thing floated down the road. The 300 straight 6 had tons of torque and with that possi rear end it was a tank. In the winter I would fill the bed level full of snow and with some knobby rear tires I could go anywhere my friends could go in their 4WD trucks. I don't remember ever checking the mileage but I think it got around 20. Damn dependable engine is all I'm saying.

If your looking for a 6 cyl though wouldn't it be easier to do a Chevy so it's more compatible with the tranny etc?? I would think there would be a lot of them around as well from the 60's era.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by av8tr33337

I had a 1966 F@#D f100 and I loved it. I might get some hateful look here, but that was one of the best running and durable trucks I ever owned. The twin I beam suspension was great. That thing floated down the road. The 300 straight 6 had tons of torque and with that possi rear end it was a tank. In the winter I would fill the bed level full of snow and with some knobby rear tires I could go anywhere my friends could go in their 4WD trucks. I don't remember ever checking the mileage but I think it got around 20. Damn dependable engine is all I'm saying.

If your looking for a 6 cyl though wouldn't it be easier to do a Chevy so it's more compatible with the tranny etc?? I would think there would be a lot of them around as well from the 60's era.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Dirty looks or not the 66 F100 is one of the best trucks ever put on the road.

But I don't have a tranny either, so... This is a frame up build, starting from scratch.

[RanchTruck]

The 300 six doesn't have any technological advantages over a 292 chevy or a 270/302 GMC. So the MPG on a well tuned example of any one of them should be similar.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by RanchTruck

The 300 six doesn't have any technological advantages over a 292 chevy or a 270/302 GMC. So the MPG on a well tuned example of any one of them should be similar.

Good to know.

[G&R's57GMC]

Back in the day I had a '66 Econoline Supervan with a 240 c.i. 6 and C4 auto w 3.00 9"

I pulled the engine @ 150,000 miles because I wanted a 300 c.i. short block. I got a genuine Ford reman. Pulled the cam and had Norris Performance Cams regrind a hotter profile on it , did a valve job on the head , added an Offenhouser 4 bbl manifold with a Ford 4 bbl carb.

That thing had enough power to out run my buddies 383 Ply Sport Satellite to 100 mph.

MPG Whats THAT ? Back then gas was 17.9 to 36.9 and with a lead foot I averaged 10 mpg.

Your not the first one to think Ford 300 I've kicked the idea around for my 56 3200 for years. Then I think Colorado 4200 or 5.3 truck engine.

I'm putting a 5.3 in my '57 GMC with a 4L60E + Gear Vendors OD and Currie 9" 4.10.

[Burbanaro]

I would think you could hit 20mpg easy with a 250 or 292 put a 5spd and a 3.50 gear rear you should be good to go. I had a 66 nova with a 250 six and could hit 22/23 mpg with ease nothing special still had points ignition and a 3spd.

[coralhead]

I am looking for a recipient truck to implant my Mercedes straight 5 Turbo Diesel into. I am currently using my 300D as a daily driver and am wanting to transplant it and the transmission into an older truck.

[OrrieG]

I have a problem with a 300 ford when there are so many 292 chevys available. Switching to an HEI ignition should help but you are still pulling around over two tons. Tranny and gearing are a big factor. Auto will suck mileage as will low gearing. But if you gear it too high for in town that hurts too. Modern FI six might help too if you want to wrestle with the electronics...

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I have a problem with a 300 ford when there are so many 292 chevys available. Switching to an HEI ignition should help but you are still pulling around over two tons. Tranny and gearing are a big factor. Auto will suck mileage as will low gearing. But if you gear it too high for in town that hurts too. Modern FI six might help too if you want to wrestle with the electronics...

I do not want to deal with the electronics.

[lmdangerous]

I am getting 17-18 mpg in my 1951 3800 with a 250 ( bone stock) and a 2004r. My gear set is 4.10, and other than a disc break swap, and the 250/ 2004r combo-its bone stock - and heavy -I figure a 250/2004r combo in a 3100 should do 20 plus.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by lmdangerous

I am getting 17-18 mpg in my 1951 3800 with a 250 ( bone stock) and a 2004r. My gear set is 4.10, and other than a disc break swap, and the 250/ 2004r combo-its bone stock - and heavy -I figure a 250/2004r combo in a 3100 should do 20 plus.

Very cool. There's hope!

Of course I have to find a 250 first.

[mr48chev]

When I first put the 250 in my 48 running a 3 speed Sagiaw trans and Nova rear end with probably 3.8 or so gears it pulled an even 20 mpg on road trips and hooked along at decent road speed. I think that the 250 got better mileage than the little 194 Chevy II engine that it had in it when I bought it and that one did pretty good.

The Ford 300 is a great engine and my mom has one in a truck she has but it doesn't get anywhere near 20 mpg in that 77 3/4 ton. It will give a serious go at dragging off anything you hook up behind it though and I moved my 5400 lb sailboat and trailer with it the other day with no problems. I just can't visualize putting a Ford six in a Chevy pickup for the sake of doing it. Maybe if you have a really good one sitting in your shop that you know is good and you have it all paid for as it came out of a truck you were driving. That would be the only reason I would put one in a Chevy pickup. If I had to go buy an engine an wanted gas mileage I'd go get a 250 Chev and match it up with the right trans and rear end.

I'm putting a 292 in my 48 but am not too worried about a couple of miles difference in gas mileage compared to the 250 as I want the extra power. And I have the 292 sitting on my engine stand. It will probably end up with a 5 speed and 3.7 gears.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

When I first put the 250 in my 48 running a 3 speed Sagiaw trans and Nova rear end with probably 3.8 or so gears it pulled an even 20 mpg on road trips and hooked along at decent road speed. I think that the 250 got better mileage than the little 194 Chevy II engine that it had in it when I bought it and that one did pretty good.

The Ford 300 is a great engine and my mom has one in a truck she has but it doesn't get anywhere near 20 mpg in that 77 3/4 ton. It will give a serious go at dragging off anything you hook up behind it though and I moved my 5400 lb sailboat and trailer with it the other day with no problems. I just can't visualize putting a Ford six in a Chevy pickup for the sake of doing it. Maybe if you have a really good one sitting in your shop that you know is good and you have it all paid for as it came out of a truck you were driving. That would be the only reason I would put one in a Chevy pickup. If I had to go buy an engine an wanted gas mileage I'd go get a 250 Chev and match it up with the right trans and rear end.

I'm putting a 292 in my 48 but am not too worried about a couple of miles difference in gas mileage compared to the 250 as I want the extra power. And I have the 292 sitting on my engine stand. It will probably end up with a 5 speed and 3.7 gears.

OK, so say I went with the 250 - what would be the proper trans and rear end?

Of course as I continue to read I realize the 250 isn't a drop in fit...some cutting and massaging and... Kind of what I want to avoid.

[jrdamien]

Now I know this will likely get laughed at BUT...

What about a high torque 4 cylinder engine?

[lowrodderchev]

I didn't read everyone's post but I just want to say NOOOOOOOO don't do it a ford wearing a chevy disguise LOL I'm running a 1962 235 in my 51 fleetline 3 carbs my gas mileage ain't bad at all course I'm comparing that to my 75 k5 w/350

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by lowrodderchev

I didn't read everyone's post but I just want to say NOOOOOOOO don't do it a ford wearing a chevy disguise LOL I'm running a 1962 235 in my 51 fleetline 3 carbs my gas mileage ain't bad at all course I'm comparing that to my 75 k5 w/350

Eh, I have zero concern about mixing up Ford and Chevy parts.

[lowrodderchev]

Originally Posted by jrdamien

Eh, I have zero concern about mixing up Ford and Chevy parts.

sorry I didn't mean to sound like a well you know.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by lowrodderchev

sorry I didn't mean to sound like a well you know.

Haha, I know. Just saying it's not a concern.

Might be more trouble than it's worth trying to massage a 300 into a 3100 anyways.

[mr48chev]

I wouldn't doubt that but if you don't plan on taking it to the grave with you putting a Ford engine in any Chevy is going to cut the resale value in half compared with what it will bring with a similar size Chevy engine.

A 4.3 with Overdrive and matching rear end out of an S-10 with FI would scoot an AD truck right along and pull the same fuel mileage that it did in an S-10 that should be an easy fit in a stock AD truck frame too.

[Root2812]

If I were going cheap easy install with decent mileage I'd go with a 235 chevy and mate it to either a 700R4 over drive tranny or a T5 5speed. All of those are cheap and common. Then I'd get a rear end with a good ratio for the highway, like 3.73, 3.55, etc.

[nvrdone]

Aw heck put the Frrd in The Chevy truck just to be different. There's a guy here in the Seattle area that has a Tri 5 chevy with a 5.0 Ford in it. Boy does he get the looks, but it's all about being a bit different.
I want a 392 hemi in my 3100 some day.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by Root2812

If I were going cheap easy install with decent mileage I'd go with a 235 chevy and mate it to either a 700R4 over drive tranny or a T5 5speed. All of those are cheap and common. Then I'd get a rear end with a good ratio for the highway, like 3.73, 3.55, etc.

Good and cheap are exactly what I am looking for. 235 and T5 will likely be what happens, depending on if I can find the motor.

The guy selling me the truck has the original 216 with a rebuilt head but I know i can do better.