Any Ford 300 straight 6 engine swaps or advice out there?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

RockDoc said:
From the specs here: enginespecs the 3FE and possibly the 3F and 2F are as/more powerful than a 292.
Click to expand...
Howdy! By the factory chart it is a real whimp. But, when you are running at 3 digit rpm's in the rough, then the 4.12 stroke will perform like no other. I think the 300 is 4.0 X 4.0, but that is a foggy memory. Certainly nothing wrong with the 300, but for fitment, the 292 is a cakewalk. My brother-in-law had one in a K20, and he could keep up in traffic very nicely and his shift point was well under 2000 rpm. The torque power curve was very similar to a diesel. John
 
inkpot said:
Howdy! By the factory chart it is a real whimp. But, when you are running at 3 digit rpm's in the rough, then the 4.12 stroke will perform like no other. I think the 300 is 4.0 X 4.0, but that is a foggy memory. Certainly nothing wrong with the 300, but for fitment, the 292 is a cakewalk. My brother-in-law had one in a K20, and he could keep up in traffic very nicely and his shift point was well under 2000 rpm. The torque power curve was very similar to a diesel. John
Click to expand...

True, that chart doesn't say where the peaks are......
 
My advice...do it! I had a '76 Ford Crewcab with the 300 six and I used it to drag around an 18' trailer with a skid steer on it. It outpulled my other crewcab ('76 F250 4x4 Factory hiboy) with a 400M in it. Easy to work on, and there's no way its longer than the 12H-T I just swapped into my HJ
 
I have only owned one rig with out and inline 6 and that wasa NIssan 4x4 4-banger that was a pile. My first truck was a 69' F250 2wd with a straight 6, split headers, and performance cam. that thing had balls, and with the po's glass packs it was loud but a little dirt bikeish. Besides my 40 and 62 I own a 96 f150 with a I-6 and have never had any problems with it. In my opinion the I-6 300 is a damn good and reliable engine.

In all reality how the hell can it be harder to find parts for a Ford than A chevy? Aren't they both American Made cars? Don't you guys use Napa? sheesh...
 
OK guys, I have heard enough, I'm gonna swap a Ford 300 striaght six into my 84 fj60. No doubt, the Chevy 292 would also be nice, and easier to match up, but I would feel like I stopped a little short. The way I look at it, I will be combining one of the best 4x4s ever made with one of the best I6 engines ever made. So now I really need all your ideas and input. My first two questions: I am thinking EFI is the way to go. I also think it would be nice to use a 78 or 79 HD steel crank that Ford only made in those years as I understand it, if available and if it will fit the EFI engine. I do not have an engine, so any leads let me know, I am a little south of Dallas, Tx. Its great knowing that I have done my last 2f manifold gasket job and smog pump replacement on this rig! I will post pics as I go. Thanks for all the input. Also, how about tranydrivetrain suggestions?
 
:cheers: Good on you!! Look forward to seeing how it progresses, and wish you luck on it.
 
ILUVMUD said:
OK guys, I have heard enough, I'm gonna swap a Ford 300 striaght six into my 84 fj60. No doubt, the Chevy 292 would also be nice, and easier to match up, but I would feel like I stopped a little short. The way I look at it, I will be combining one of the best 4x4s ever made with one of the best I6 engines ever made. So now I really need all your ideas and input. My first two questions: I am thinking EFI is the way to go. I also think it would be nice to use a 78 or 79 HD steel crank that Ford only made in those years as I understand it, if available and if it will fit the EFI engine. I do not have an engine, so any leads let me know, I am a little south of Dallas, Tx. Its great knowing that I have done my last 2f manifold gasket job and smog pump replacement on this rig! I will post pics as I go. Thanks for all the input. Also, how about tranydrivetrain suggestions?
Click to expand...
Sweet make sure to have a build thread with lots of info and lots of pics. If it goes well I might do the same this summer. I have a 300 in a rusting away 84 Bronco that I could use.
 
I can't imagine doing a swap and not going EFI. Easy start ups, works at steep angles, and readily available for the 300. Given the longevity of the engine, I wouldn't worry all that much about the crank (unless you find one cheap). If you go with a Toyota drivetrain, you need to think about an adapter ($$$).

I would think you could find a low mileage EFI engine out of a wreck for pretty cheap. That will leave you $$$ for adapters and any hipo mods.

As much as I think all things Toyota are generally great, the I6 300 is everything we like about Toyota: reliable and durable. It is also one thing that is Toyota generally is not: cheap.

If the I6 can be done cheaper or with more benefits than the Toyota, I would do that before a Vortec. The vortec is a great swap, but I'm sure it is not a durable as the 300 and probably not as reliable.

ILUVMUD: You, sir, are a pioneer :clap:
 
TheJackRabbit said:
A number of youse guys wrote that a 292 would be a simpler install than the Ford 300. Would someone mind expanding upon that?
Click to expand...

in a nut shell, it is chevy and uses the same smallboclk chevy bellhousing, so any chevy travvy will work. that is the quick down a dirty answer, there is alot more reasons but that is all i can think of now
 
Why does the Ford 300 have such a reputation of a motor that will not die, yet the Chev 292 doesn't? Just wondering, if you look on anyf orum about the best engines ever made the Ford 300 will always be up there as will the Toyota 22R...

-Wyo
 
I am probably way off but I was just thinking about this same swap the other day. I was looking at a bell housing bolt pattern cross refernce chart for fords and the 300 i6 is the same bolt pattern as the 302, 351 etc. So couldnt you just get the ranger over drive adapter and fit it to your 4 spd and get over drive to boot?? Also if its a bit tall a hood scoop would look cool on a 60. as stated I am probably wrong but thought I would chime in anyway
 
Efi 300 (4.9)

The 4.9l swap we did was pretty easy. Along the lines of a 5.0 into a bronco. I believe the engine control systems are similar to 5.0 in the same years- i.e. early motors were MAP and later motors were MASS air. Mass air seems to be the easier swap. If you do the swap EFI is worth the time and money. These motors should be easy enough to find- cheap.
 
You know what, I was kind of an asshat, especially given this is a thread about a Ford engine. Just struck me as a really odd and promotional first post.

BTW, the flip-off is the standard greeting for newbies around here.
 
Last edited:
I have been reading this post for some time and this was my first attempt at participation. I only push Clifford because it is the only real performance company dedicated to the 6.

If the flip-off is true, I appreciate the initiation, Thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom