I have a '90 302 auto. with 4.10 gears. I do have some mods. like Gibson shorty headers, flowmaster exhaust and a K&N air filter, but I am very pleased with my low-end power. I believe the 302's peak torque comes at 2400 rpm's. My acceleration off the line is great. However, once I get up to 45, 50 mph, my power isn't as noticeable, but it doesn't lag as much as other 302's according to other people's testimonies. But I'd say it's deffinately a "truck engine". But my 4.10 gears do nothing in the way of gas mileage, as I get about 13 mpg's. I've never driven a 300 or a 351, so I can't give any comparisons.

 

Just my experience, and I know that it may vary, but...

I have owned an 1980 carbed 302, an 1981 carbed 300, and an 1996 EFI 302. I can honestly say that there was very little difference between the three. If I had to rank them for power (from memory) I would say that the carbed 302 was slightly better with the carbed 300 and extremely close second. My EFI 302 seems to be a totally different animal. It tows fine but sometimes feels like it's towing when I'm not. Hope this helps -- Martin

 

You can't beat an inline 6 for natural balance; and the off-idle torque is really pleasant with a manual transmission.

The rest is up to gearing -- which should be carefully chosen for your intended use.

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Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 AW-Disc, 3.73LS, Skid, 7700# HD Towing, Chrome LT-245, Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, keyless, Toreador Red, called "Nick"

 

I'll stand behind my comment about the 302. Between my dad's construction business and myself we have owned 15 150s and 250s since the 1973 model year. The 302 is great I suppose if you have a 2wd. In 77 my dad ordered to 150s...identical except that for some reason one came with a 302. We decided to keep it anyway and the two pickups got within 4 miles to the gallon of each other consistently under almost identical use. The 302 is NOT a good engine if you plan on using your pickup as a pickup. Pull it out and put it in a Mustang.

 

ND-BMW: The 302 is a fine engine if you do light hauling/towing. A lot of technology changed from 1973-1996. The 351M had about 180hp and 273 ft/lbs of torque. I don't even think the 302 had 150hp back in 1977. A '77 351m had almost equal hp/torque to my 1989 F-150 w/302. I can understand why you wouldn't like a 302 as a serious work engine. Todays EFi'd 351 won't get near what a efi'd 302 will get in mileage. A 351 would be better in towing/hauling,naturally becuase of the larger displacement but the 460 would out do a 351m and get about the same mileage. My friend has an old Scout II that I pull for him on our 16' car hauler. I pull the trailer with both of my trucks, and seldom use my dads chevy and Superduty, and another friends 1992 Flareside 351 4x4. Of course theres no comparison between the V-10 and a 302, but I can't see much of a difference in pulling of the 351 and the 302.

 

I have been reading with great interest. I purchased a 1981 f350 with the 6cyl 300ci engine. As most engines in this sort of truck in Australia are v8's, i was quite supprised with the amount of power this engine produces. Even moreso that it runs on LPG.
If only you guys in America could get your hands on our new turbo 4.0lt six. 240kw. We use it in our falcon passenger car range. Would be fantastic in an f-series

 

Those Falcons look so awsome. I heard the power is unbeleivable.

 

Great to get some feedback from over there
I work at the ford proving ground and is so much fun going to work on some great cars. Can't wait for the 2004 f250/f350 to arrive over here.

 

have you guys got the new model F150's yet? They just released over here with a new 3 valve design on the 5.4L, I test drove one and it's got quite noticable more power over the previous years of the 5.4L, with the new 3 valve heads it's pushing 300 horses finally.

 

In the past 5 years I have owned both, a 95 w/302 and a 94 w/351. Both were 4x4, reg cab, short beds. Both with 31x10.5 and 3.55LSD. The 351 drinks gas, about 3-4 mpg less than the 302. But, the power difference is very dramatic. The 351 could roast the tires but the 302 couldn't. The 302 was a nice motor and no doubt would do any light duty that the 150 is designed for. Having a choice I might go 302 again for mileage. I would like to try a 300 someday before it's too late.

 

sprocket x, We have the three valve v8 engine as well as the four valve engine. The most power output in production vehicles is the 4valve pumping out 290kws or 394 hp. We call it a Boss 290 and is only avaliable in the Falcon Gt , Gt-p and pursuit ute. I'll have to post some pics. The 6cyl turbo produces 326hp or 240kws.

 

oh yes we don't have f-150's over here
We have f-250 and f-350. We need F-150 for sure

 

And we need LHD Falcon Utes over here.
You'd think Ford could figure this out.

 

At the moment we have trouble producing enough of them for the Aussie market! 3 month wait if you order one!

 

T-Series with a 5.6L

Jeez you Australians get all the good stuff!