The 289/302 V8 was never a popular option in the full-size Ford trucks and very rarely seen until the advent of EFI, and even then it still had serious competition from the big six. First, the trucks were heavy, generally about the same as a full-size Ford. Second, the 300 six made very nearly the same torque as the SBF, but did it 1000 RPM slower and got better mileage. If you're hauling or towing, the V8 will struggle more with getting things moving. Ford even limited optional use a few years, deeming it not torquey enough. A 351 will make 350+ hp easier with a wider power curve.
Totally right on with the 300 six vs 302 comparison. If equipped with a six shooter or SBF and a stick the F-100 and F-150 isn't really that heavy. My OT 69 short bed Ranger at 3540lbs is not quite 200 lbs heavier than my old 428CJ equipped 69 Mach I and maybe a few pounds lighter than my 48 Ford Tudor sedan. Of course 8ft beds, big blocks, automatics and anything resembling more than a light duty low option truck is going to get hefty in a hurry. Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
To new? An engine that has been around since the early 60s and used in thousands of traditional Hot Rods.
All respect to older SBFs (I own three), but they can't compete with 5.0 roller engines which are cheap and easy to find.
Be careful with the boring bar on the lil 66 engine. 30(maybe 40) thou. is all I would do. 60 over and A LOTTA guys run into cooling issues. Jus say'in I bet that lil Metro will scoot with a cammed-up 289 propelling it! 6sally6
Heads, heads, heads. I can't say it enough. Heads are the biggest limitation on the SBF, especially the exhaust ports. In de$cending order of preference vs $ to obtain - Aftermarket aluminum, Aftermarket Iron, GT40, 351W.
i built a pretty sweet 302 with my brother for his ot mustang. as i recall, dual plane aluminum edelbrock intake, holley 600 double pumper, we used some kind of secial skirted pistons i cant remember, had a decent cam in it, headers 2.5" exhaust, thing moved pretty sweet. he felt upstaged by some higher hp engines i was running so he pulled it and is building a 351 clever for it now, clever should be 450ish hp 450ish ft pounds torque, pretty sure the clever is essentially same as a boss 351, we never went to roller rockers in the 302 or anything i thought it was sweet
This^^^^^^^^ We build a stout 306 .30 over 302. With a good size cam Afr Heads single plane intake for our 64 Ranchero. C4 transmission. Pretty strong little motor. On the street it’s fun as hell but it’s mostly a track car. I’d to vote for the 351w you can build big hp and TQ much easier and for less money. Buy the time you machine a block for a 347 and buy a kit. We are planning a 351 build for the Ranchero. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I run a 347 in my 47 ford pickup.... all the hp comes from the top end. I found some used AFR heads, the smaller ones so I didn't have to mess with piston interference. Simple Eagle stroker kit, AFR heads, Edelbrock intake, 770 Stealth carb and I got 425 hp, 420 torque. and it all comes in at 2200 on up. It is a total riot to drive and folks like the truck with a ford motor in it. the stroker kits are cheaper all the time, but for those small engines, its all in the heads.
I had a 331 built, it dyno'd at 420hp. Lots of horsepower can be made with these little engines, but cost goes up when hp goes up. It is not the cheapest alternative, but for my light little o/t (2800#) car, it works great. A heavier truck needs more torque like a 351, or a stroked version of the 351 would probably be a better choice. Depends on your budget & how you plan to use the truck. Either way thanks for not putting a Chev in your Ford.
My advice if your SBF has factory heads build it for torque. Ford did that in the HO mustangs. If you want horse power run aftermarket heads. This might helphttps://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/05/heads/index3.php
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