i had a 1986 f150 4x4 with the 4.9. awesome motor. never had it on the road, but its obvious that it couldnt get more than 14 mpg if i was really lucky. i've heard about how some people get over 20 mpg with the carbureted 4.9, but im in conecticut where there are lots of hills that decrease gas mileage. the only way i can imagine a 4.9 getting over 20 mpg is if its 2wd, and driven on relatively flat land. either way i still love the motor, and hopefully my next truck has the 4.9 six.
i have 1976 f 250 with 300 6 that gets 20 mpg on the freeway its never been rebuilt has over 300 k on it .... 300 6 rocks lot better then the junk thay make now ...............
i think it could get 30mpg on high way on the right condition, plus gasoline aint what it use to be, e10 fuel kills mpg especially in the old carbed engines
@EdwardPack1988 no you couldn't. the only reason they say 30mpg in the ad is because they ran it on like a dyno type device, so without the weight of the truck on the rear wheels, and no wind resistance, sure it'd get 30 mpg. but that will never happen
@KLX1990 im sure somewhere some one has, doing 45mph on the flatest ground, wind blowing behind, engine is in tip top shape, etc. Im sure it can be down. But I never look at the numbers they post, I look at the numbers that say MPG for most drivers. lol
I had a 1990 5 speed 4x2 SuperCab with this motor & a 3.08 and no way in Gods green earth did it get close to 30mpg... I sold it for my '98 5.4L 4x4 with a 3.55 LS axle and still own it. Great trucks!
It would get 30 mpg with special overdrive 4 speed manual with a 3.08 axle ratio, I've had one like that and yes it got 30 mpg, but add normal parameters and you get a truck making 15-20 mpg
@jackcass13 I said the same thing lol. This may help you out. My 4.9 was hesitating and getting poor gas mileage and nothing I did helped it out (ignition, fuel system, lots of head scratching etc). I did what some other people have done and restricted the EGR flow by making a restrictor plate using the gasket and a freeze plug. Gas mileage went up noticeably and my engine stopped hesitating. Worth your time if the mpg's are trouble. Now I get to work on 1/8 of one tank instead of 1/4.
i got a 4.9 in my 86 with a 4 barrel and a 5 speed from a 89..i get about 22 to 23 on highway and 18 in town. motor had 336k on it b-4 i built it..and its had 100k of wide open 4 barrel..still light em up for 2 blocks and dont use oil..best engine they ever made.
@FordManMT No, They did away with big 4 300, 302 351,460 due to emisions and they where all cast iron blocks which made them heavy. Heavy = bad gas milage though some of these new moters are only a little bit better. One other thing is that the government wants 10yr throw away cars and trucks and these dam moters will run 20+ years with not much more that regular oil changes. I have a 88 150 with a 300 with 176k on it that starts inless than 5 sec with out a puff of oil smoke. Can't kill them!
22 highway? thats beter than trucks today! i get 20 with my '76 f100 why are we waiting for good mileage in full size trucks when they had the technoligy in the 70's
This engine was built to be heavy duty FIRST, not high output or efficiency. The 300 has to be coupled with a manual transmission to fully appreciate it.
these where the best trucks ever made simple and tough i have two these that are one ton trucks and have the 4 speed manual and the one had over 300000 when i had to swap out the motor but i haul a lot of stuff with this old truck and yes it does great on gas if someone says they get bad gas mileage it needs a new carb i use these old trucks to haul cars and trucks to the scrap yard
I used to hate the 300 six,until I realized I couldn't kill it.Now,I love them.I wouldn't want anything else in my truck.One of the best motors Ford ever made.
@fordtruckman80 Same with me I use to think they were POS engines you gotta-be kidding me low hp,noisy,slow and gas hog, but I know 2 people that own them and found they have good torque and still run good with over 200k. Probably the best truck 6 cylinder engine ever made, though I would say the Vortec 4.3 is a close second.
When my 300 6 was on the road I would put 10 bucks into the tank a day just to get around town. Of course gas is way more expensive nowadays than it was back in the 80's. If the truck was still road worthy, I'd still be more than happy to throw at least $10 a day into it just to drive it. mine has the 4 speed floor shift just like that one too, only mine is a stepside.
I think both the Ford 300 six and the AMC 258 are good engines. I had a Ford truck with a 300, ran great. Right now, I own a Grand Wagoneer with a 258, run as good as the Ford, but kinda lacks.
with 2 gas tanks, yes, I have a 1995 300 6, the motor, doesint feel pain, they never blow up. i get 14mpg and im only running the small tank in the back. 20 bucks gets me 165 kms hauling. most of them.
@xxmaskedwolfxx Yes it did get 20 mpg, but only with the gear lever in neutral downhill with the wind at it's back. It's essentially the same displacement as a 5.0 Liter v-8. From experience, even with Fuel injection a 5.0 gets maybe 17 average on a good day...
@Alacranchorrudo 3 + OD manual trans once I got 19mpg when loaded with 4,100 lbs and going slower due to the load, yes 4,100 lbs. The frame was on the axle for the whole trip.
Ford quit making the 4.9L because it never wears out, my 1988 has 250,000+ miles and runs as good as ever, I had to replace 1 injector and all that I've had to do to the motor.
@66corvett shit my 87 f150 4x4 with 5.0 i was lucky to get 12 mpg but i could not kill it till i tore out the tranny pulling a mack truck with a motor home on the back
i found a truck exactly like this one in the scrap yard was gona buy it. that is until i found out that the engine had been glased. oh i was was pissed
The EPA was forced to adjust its system after receiving a deluge of complaints. The change occured in 1984. This 1984 Ford was built in 1983 so obviously it doesnt reflect this vehicle. They reduced hwy figures around 25%. About 23mpg hwy sounds a lot more realistic for this vehicle.
I don't believe this an I am a die hard ford guy I have had a bunch or carburated 4.9 300 six cyclinders. Most of them used more gas than a V-8. But I did have a 87 f-250 4 wheel drive that was one of the cheapest trucks I ever had on gas had to get at leat 24 mile to a gallon was 4,9 5 speed.
30mpg? Ha! But the big six gets great mileage considering what kind of engine it is - a 60s designed work motor. If you add up all of its best traits, it really is one of the better light truck engines ever assembled. I'll be brash and say that it even trumps Mopar's big slant six. I've run my '94 EFI up trails peaking (literally) at 13kft and it does fine. The one I've got is a bit noisy, but has never let me down.
I drive an 84 F-150 daily, Short Bed 4speed with 31- 10.50-15 Yokohama tires... about 230K miles on the clock. Last Highway trip saw 19.62 MPG...
I have a carb adjustment issue that has to be dealt with and an intermittent cold running situation I have yet to figure out yet as well so I figure this on proper size tires and with mechanical's sorted out the mileage could be in the 30 range..downhill, Huge tire pressure etc..
Yep. You're totally right. I know two guys who have the Vulcan, and its a slouch, but just keeps ticking. One dude has a giant lifted Ranger with Dana 60s with what I think are something close to 42" swampers and geared to at least 4.56. If that guy can't kill his 3.0L, I'm not sure anybody can!
the 4.9 is the most durable engine ford built!! it will still be going strong long after 4.2 v6 is in scrap yard my 88 has 320,000 miles and still going strong. milage depends on driver habits ,transmission type ,tire size, axle ratio ,engine shape and tune ! i get 18 mpg ,with 235 tires, 3.08 8.8 diff. and zf s542 hd 5speed their full sized work horses high milage comes from small vehicles , on which ill pass i like my truck !
I had the 1980 Version of this truck with the 4.9 and the 4 speed Manual OD. Best vehicle I've ever owned. Those inline sixes ran like champs for 200,000 and even 300,000 miles. I still regret selling the truck all those years ago. The mileage wasn't too bad for a full size truck either. I got low 20s on the highway. I don't know where this 20/30 figure comes from, but it was a good truck than ran for over 20 years.
I want to keep my truck but I want better gas milage. Duh! I really don't need 300 frickin hp! I want a big 4cyl and 6-8 speed transmission. No turbo crap on the motor. I want 30 mpg combined city/hwy. If it tops out at 85 mph thats fine with me. I never go that fast anyway. I want a factory quad-folding bed cover to increase milage and allow easy access as standard or at least a cheap option.
My 300 six gets mid-twenties on highway with 4 speed and overdrive. It's fuel injected, though.
They stopped making the inline six that they put in those trucks because of stricter emissions regulations. To make the engine comply with today's standards would rob it of a lot of its power.
Ive owned 2 F150's with the 4.9 FI, i never got over 15 mpg with them, both were 5 speeds. My 89 got the best of 13 MPG, i have no clue were they get 30MPG
there really is no difference but the mercury has a different tail gate and different trim on it and it was only made in canada i was jsut bein a dummy sayin its all better cause its a mercury but there all the same
ha, nice man. i got a 93 4.9 5 speed shortbed and its pushin 212000 miles and it runs great. i got duel exhaust in it and a cold air intake and its got some serious power.
True, but the Cummins is a diesel. The 4.9 was the baddest six gasser of it's time. You can go as big as you want. The motor that is in my dad's 18 wheeler is a big cat inline six. Low end torque, anyone?
Oh I wasn't accusing you of bashing it. I was just adding to what you said. :P Mine has 208K miles and still running strong. Any inline six will live a looong time. I'm just especially fond of the 4.9
That's because most are fast and sound good. My dad hates 6's because he thinks they're slow. He's all about speed. I'm all about getting the job done. My 4.9 is fast enough for me. I just wish it got better MPG.
lol 30mpg highway? they mustve put it in neutral and killed the engine down a 5 mile hill
lovemetalhatejuggalo 1 week ago
I got a 1988 f150 300-6 the best motor on earth tough as nails
MrFordf150xlt 2 weeks ago
I wish my 1990 and 1992 (both 4.9's) could get that kind of gas mileage. And they're both fuel injected!
wduane2807 1 month ago
@wduane2807 ... Yeah... I had to call Bull $hit on that one!!!
jmc235 1 month ago
@jmc235 Hell I'm lucky to get 15 mpg
wduane2807 1 month ago
Best six ever made
timhvac100 1 month ago
I have that same transmission in my 1987 4.9l efi and i get 13 mpg city
winbark123 2 months ago
30 est hwy / 20 Est EPA MPG?? Miles must have been shorter back then.
Redrocket90 2 months ago 2
i had a 1986 f150 4x4 with the 4.9. awesome motor. never had it on the road, but its obvious that it couldnt get more than 14 mpg if i was really lucky. i've heard about how some people get over 20 mpg with the carbureted 4.9, but im in conecticut where there are lots of hills that decrease gas mileage. the only way i can imagine a 4.9 getting over 20 mpg is if its 2wd, and driven on relatively flat land. either way i still love the motor, and hopefully my next truck has the 4.9 six.
fordstrummer 3 months ago
30 mpg hw, omg
way2fasts 5 months ago
@1998F150OWES
I get about 23hwy on my 1890 carbureted 4.9L
socalstud777 5 months ago
@socalstud777 you have an 1890 model ford? lol
midlo305 5 months ago
@socalstud777 dude
hippo459 3 months ago in playlist ford 300 6l
@socalstud777 1890? Wow that's a really old truck lol
wduane2807 1 month ago
I had a 91 and they pulled out the old 5.8 before i bought it and put in a 4.9
ShamusOGrady2 6 months ago
that purple and beige two-tone should have been an option
gvcam09 7 months ago
If the EPA where a single person i would go buy an f 250 with a 460 and run their ass over. WITHOUT A CAT. CONVERTER just to rub it in
SharpStuff112 7 months ago 4
i have 1976 f 250 with 300 6 that gets 20 mpg on the freeway its never been rebuilt has over 300 k on it .... 300 6 rocks lot better then the junk thay make now ...............
mudflapq 8 months ago
We have an 87, with a 4.9l in it, the only part of the truck that is worth saving. The rest of the truck is shot!
ghenry85 8 months ago
i think it could get 30mpg on high way on the right condition, plus gasoline aint what it use to be, e10 fuel kills mpg especially in the old carbed engines
EdwardPack1988 8 months ago
@EdwardPack1988 no you couldn't. the only reason they say 30mpg in the ad is because they ran it on like a dyno type device, so without the weight of the truck on the rear wheels, and no wind resistance, sure it'd get 30 mpg. but that will never happen
KLX1990 7 months ago
@KLX1990 im sure somewhere some one has, doing 45mph on the flatest ground, wind blowing behind, engine is in tip top shape, etc. Im sure it can be down. But I never look at the numbers they post, I look at the numbers that say MPG for most drivers. lol
EdwardPack1988 7 months ago
All I can think is how the 1997-1998 4.2 V6 replacement sucked as much as the 4.9 I-6 kicks ass...
Thilindel 9 months ago 5
@Thilindel so true...i had a '97....but i out ran a lot of v-8's
acres90 8 months ago
Most well rounded
ar15freak 9 months ago
I had a 1990 5 speed 4x2 SuperCab with this motor & a 3.08 and no way in Gods green earth did it get close to 30mpg... I sold it for my '98 5.4L 4x4 with a 3.55 LS axle and still own it. Great trucks!
4gasem 10 months ago
If you pushed it of a cliff it might get 30mpg. Otherwise, no.
scdevon 10 months ago
It would get 30 mpg with special overdrive 4 speed manual with a 3.08 axle ratio, I've had one like that and yes it got 30 mpg, but add normal parameters and you get a truck making 15-20 mpg
Qkiller69 10 months ago
@Qkiller69 lol no way i had an 86 with the the 4 speed and 3.08s and i could get low 20s on the highway but thats it
85raminator 9 months ago
Lol that truck didn't get 30mpg on the highway
chase312 10 months ago
i got a 94 f150 4.9 with 328000+ miles nd shes still runin strong.
Mr90thunderbirdsc 10 months ago
my 4.9 has 267000 miles as of this morning my 92 and its in awesome condition
redneck92x 10 months ago
Best truck i have ever had,it wouldnt die!
pineywoods9 11 months ago
I wish mine got 30 mpg... I have a 1990 and a 1992 both 6 cylinders and I am lucky to get 15 mpg.
wduane2807 11 months ago
those straight sixs are such dogs but they last forever.
thewhofan99 1 year ago
they didn't call 'em the super six for nothin'!
pblackbird 1 year ago
My 1968 F 100 240 straight 6 sat for the last 20 years, poured some gas in the carb switched out the battery and it fired right up.
liveforrock1 1 year ago
im lookin at one of these on craigslist now. only 107k and he wants a grand for it should i make a play?
NirvanaGod69 1 year ago
YES!!! It will Last for MANY...MANY More Years ! BULLETT Proof Motors!!! Try and go for It! Is it rusty?
jakesaintsrow123 1 year ago
@NirvanaGod69 yes. its worth it man.
gmkilpatrick 1 year ago
@NirvanaGod69 i got mine at 211000 mines at 267000 still runs although my e4od (wish was the 5 peed) just blew at 266000 miles
redneck92x 10 months ago
i love how the guy slames it into liek first or third lol
AcAinslie 1 year ago
hahahahahahahah. gas mileage my hairy asshole. i get maybe 10. and thats guessing high. ive got a 94 with a 4.9. 210500 miles and running strong
jackcass13 1 year ago
@jackcass13 I said the same thing lol. This may help you out. My 4.9 was hesitating and getting poor gas mileage and nothing I did helped it out (ignition, fuel system, lots of head scratching etc). I did what some other people have done and restricted the EGR flow by making a restrictor plate using the gasket and a freeze plug. Gas mileage went up noticeably and my engine stopped hesitating. Worth your time if the mpg's are trouble. Now I get to work on 1/8 of one tank instead of 1/4.
thinkernotafollower 1 year ago
@jackcass13 well now it has 211500 miles and it gets 8 mpg. im not even gonna dump anymore money into it. its meeting the scrap yard soon.
jackcass13 1 year ago
i got a 4.9 in my 86 with a 4 barrel and a 5 speed from a 89..i get about 22 to 23 on highway and 18 in town. motor had 336k on it b-4 i built it..and its had 100k of wide open 4 barrel..still light em up for 2 blocks and dont use oil..best engine they ever made.
1MudDobber2 1 year ago
And to think that brand new pickups still get around the same gas mileage.
84W150 1 year ago
@84W150
Righty736 1 year ago
I think they quit building the inline six because it wouldnt fit in the new F-150's. I love mine, best damned engine ever
FordManMT 1 year ago
@FordManMT No, They did away with big 4 300, 302 351,460 due to emisions and they where all cast iron blocks which made them heavy. Heavy = bad gas milage though some of these new moters are only a little bit better. One other thing is that the government wants 10yr throw away cars and trucks and these dam moters will run 20+ years with not much more that regular oil changes. I have a 88 150 with a 300 with 176k on it that starts inless than 5 sec with out a puff of oil smoke. Can't kill them!
rocintrucker83021227 1 year ago
22 highway? thats beter than trucks today! i get 20 with my '76 f100 why are we waiting for good mileage in full size trucks when they had the technoligy in the 70's
a1stooge 1 year ago
@a1stooge just think if they kept the old 360's and 390's and put fule injection on them.
1MudDobber2 1 year ago
30 on the highway. Well F me sideways. My 4.9 dreams of that. I get maybe 22 on the highway.
kyleaz2000 1 year ago
@kyleaz2000 I get 22mpg highway, 5speed, 4x4, 31x10.50 Mud King tires
FordManMT 1 year ago
I do like the old fords and that 300 was probably the best motor they ever built.
shoprat17 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
holy shit i remember that add and i was only 4 at the time lol
Jakeclay07 1 year ago
holy shit i remember that add and i was like 3.....
Jakeclay07 1 year ago
They just don't make many large displacment six cylinder engines anymore.
Shame.
adogg619 1 year ago
@adogg619 chevy 4.3 with around 230 or 250 lbs torque @ a low RPM
mustang633NY 1 year ago
@adogg619
You're right, 250 ft-lb of torque.
adogg619 1 year ago
This engine was built to be heavy duty FIRST, not high output or efficiency. The 300 has to be coupled with a manual transmission to fully appreciate it.
suchfunstuff 1 year ago
Pround owner or a 1982 Ford F100 with the 300ci i get 22mpg and its a 3spd standard shifter on the colum (3 on the tree)
santa914 1 year ago
You still see these on the road every day, even after 30 years.
RoundenBrown 1 year ago
these where the best trucks ever made simple and tough i have two these that are one ton trucks and have the 4 speed manual and the one had over 300000 when i had to swap out the motor but i haul a lot of stuff with this old truck and yes it does great on gas if someone says they get bad gas mileage it needs a new carb i use these old trucks to haul cars and trucks to the scrap yard
wowman71 1 year ago
lol at 30 mpg, it even says at the bottom "Actual Hwy. mileage ratings lower".........uh, then why print it?
What they mean is it gets 30 mpg downhill with a tailwind.
SunsetSupermanRMB 1 year ago
Great post dude. I never thought there was a tv advertisement for a 300. I hope one day ford brings them back.
rocintrucker83021227 1 year ago
I used to hate the 300 six,until I realized I couldn't kill it.Now,I love them.I wouldn't want anything else in my truck.One of the best motors Ford ever made.
fordtruckman80 1 year ago
@fordtruckman80 Same with me I use to think they were POS engines you gotta-be kidding me low hp,noisy,slow and gas hog, but I know 2 people that own them and found they have good torque and still run good with over 200k. Probably the best truck 6 cylinder engine ever made, though I would say the Vortec 4.3 is a close second.
640101vh 1 year ago
that pretty much sums it up BEST MOTOR EVER with a air cooled type 3 in a close second
YOUNGDUM42 1 year ago 2
@YOUNGDUM42 Have no personal experience with the 4.9 Ford but agreed with the air cooled type 3 provided it's Fuel injected.
couchebag 1 year ago
old 300 six is amazingly well built but you are lucky to get 20mpg ever! good little sixer though:)
clearbeachwater 1 year ago
sweet truck i gotta 82 1bbl carb 13 mpg lol
shopdawg85 1 year ago
4.9 never quits!
fordpowerstroke100 1 year ago
30mpg my ass lol my 1996 inline 6 gets about 14 on the highway!
ibeatthrghthefrndflm 1 year ago
@ibeatthrghthefrndflm same for my 95 17 is RARE
julescicle 1 year ago
When my 300 6 was on the road I would put 10 bucks into the tank a day just to get around town. Of course gas is way more expensive nowadays than it was back in the 80's. If the truck was still road worthy, I'd still be more than happy to throw at least $10 a day into it just to drive it. mine has the 4 speed floor shift just like that one too, only mine is a stepside.
PlatinumRacing 2 years ago
I have the same engine and truck. Mine gets 10.2 mpg now.
jaredhall1993 2 years ago
I think both the Ford 300 six and the AMC 258 are good engines. I had a Ford truck with a 300, ran great. Right now, I own a Grand Wagoneer with a 258, run as good as the Ford, but kinda lacks.
CDEFoxtrot 2 years ago
did it really get that gas mileage?
xxmaskedwolfxx 2 years ago
with 2 gas tanks, yes, I have a 1995 300 6, the motor, doesint feel pain, they never blow up. i get 14mpg and im only running the small tank in the back. 20 bucks gets me 165 kms hauling. most of them.
Fordman06777 2 years ago
@xxmaskedwolfxx Yes it did get 20 mpg, but only with the gear lever in neutral downhill with the wind at it's back. It's essentially the same displacement as a 5.0 Liter v-8. From experience, even with Fuel injection a 5.0 gets maybe 17 average on a good day...
couchebag 1 year ago
@xxmaskedwolfxx 17MPG was what mine would get 3+OD
TheDieselMiata 1 year ago
@TheDieselMiata Auto? our 84' did get at least 28 or a little under.
Alacranchorrudo 1 year ago
@Alacranchorrudo 3 + OD manual trans once I got 19mpg when loaded with 4,100 lbs and going slower due to the load, yes 4,100 lbs. The frame was on the axle for the whole trip.
TheDieselMiata 1 year ago
Ford quit making the 4.9L because it never wears out, my 1988 has 250,000+ miles and runs as good as ever, I had to replace 1 injector and all that I've had to do to the motor.
66corvett 2 years ago 44
@66corvett it wouldnt pass emissions anymore otherwise ford gm and mopar would all still have their I6's
85raminator 2 years ago
@66corvett shit my 87 f150 4x4 with 5.0 i was lucky to get 12 mpg but i could not kill it till i tore out the tranny pulling a mack truck with a motor home on the back
XXRichieXXrichXX 1 year ago
@66corvett 85 with 275,000 here. Motor runs FLAWLESSLY.
TestECull 1 year ago
@66corvett i have a 1994 with 127,000 and mainly a water pump and a clutch,
dalekrueger 1 year ago
@66corvett my moms 1993 chevy blazer 4.3L V-6 has 256,000 miles on it. all we have ever had to do is change the distributer. and that baby will go!
corvetteboy10 1 year ago
i got a 1983 with 552,895 miles on a inline 6, and she mud bog's weekends and pulls trailers on week days, i agree they don't never wear out
EMOboi9796 1 year ago
@66corvett '85 with 275K checking in. Purrs like a kitten.
Although I do need to replace my lifters. They're a bit noisy.
TestECull 1 year ago
@66corvett do you get 30 mpg like the commerical says
randomb0b123 1 year ago
@66corvett mine has 208,000 and runs like a monster.
briankyser 7 months ago
i love the 300 straight 6 longest lasting motor
palidandeoblo 2 years ago 5
im looking for one, my bro has an 85 0r 87 v8,
DexDizzy 2 years ago
mine 4-9 has 240000 miles and still runs great
ford300runner 2 years ago
havent had a ford inline 6 but the jeep 4.0 inline six i had was great, it would do anything and it had plenty of power
roddyyy524 2 years ago
i found a truck exactly like this one in the scrap yard was gona buy it. that is until i found out that the engine had been glased. oh i was was pissed
WARD5KUSTOMZ 2 years ago
The EPA was forced to adjust its system after receiving a deluge of complaints. The change occured in 1984. This 1984 Ford was built in 1983 so obviously it doesnt reflect this vehicle. They reduced hwy figures around 25%. About 23mpg hwy sounds a lot more realistic for this vehicle.
Silvertrine 2 years ago
All I know is the EPA sucks.
smartepants777 2 years ago 29
@smartepants777 its may suck but it's still fun as shit to drive
NirvanaGod69 1 year ago
ya bilt ford tuff
dimitrya1234 2 years ago 2
I don't believe this an I am a die hard ford guy I have had a bunch or carburated 4.9 300 six cyclinders. Most of them used more gas than a V-8. But I did have a 87 f-250 4 wheel drive that was one of the cheapest trucks I ever had on gas had to get at leat 24 mile to a gallon was 4,9 5 speed.
joshkj2003 2 years ago
we have a 1996 F150 XL with a 300 Six and it averages 13 mpg highway haha
dant387 2 years ago 3
30mpg? Ha! But the big six gets great mileage considering what kind of engine it is - a 60s designed work motor. If you add up all of its best traits, it really is one of the better light truck engines ever assembled. I'll be brash and say that it even trumps Mopar's big slant six. I've run my '94 EFI up trails peaking (literally) at 13kft and it does fine. The one I've got is a bit noisy, but has never let me down.
Kremcroc 2 years ago
I drive an 84 F-150 daily, Short Bed 4speed with 31- 10.50-15 Yokohama tires... about 230K miles on the clock. Last Highway trip saw 19.62 MPG...
I have a carb adjustment issue that has to be dealt with and an intermittent cold running situation I have yet to figure out yet as well so I figure this on proper size tires and with mechanical's sorted out the mileage could be in the 30 range..downhill, Huge tire pressure etc..
Best truck I have ever had.
chauss513 2 years ago
Just got my first vehicle and its a 1981 Ford F150 with a 302 V8
FordDriver94 2 years ago
i just got my first truck and so far this engine aint let me down... i went from a chevy man to a ford right ther
farmboyethanrice 2 years ago
4.9l ford engine is great! BIG SIX is real beast!!
fordever1 2 years ago 2
best engine ever put in a truck.
And I dont even own one.
Im stuck with the borderline pathetic Vulcan 3.0
Cool name, long lasting reliable engine, V6 "decent" torque and pathetic horsepower. But I do have peace of mind, I know I cant kill it.
xsonz2 2 years ago
Yep. You're totally right. I know two guys who have the Vulcan, and its a slouch, but just keeps ticking. One dude has a giant lifted Ranger with Dana 60s with what I think are something close to 42" swampers and geared to at least 4.56. If that guy can't kill his 3.0L, I'm not sure anybody can!
Kremcroc 2 years ago
Whoops, meant for this to be a reply to the guy who was talking about this motor. Freakin'a Youtube!
Kremcroc 2 years ago
Comment removed
DamnStraightM35A2 2 years ago
ford rules
dfcvda 2 years ago
close 300 i 6 302 v8
frdisone 3 years ago
the 4.9 is the most durable engine ford built!! it will still be going strong long after 4.2 v6 is in scrap yard my 88 has 320,000 miles and still going strong. milage depends on driver habits ,transmission type ,tire size, axle ratio ,engine shape and tune ! i get 18 mpg ,with 235 tires, 3.08 8.8 diff. and zf s542 hd 5speed their full sized work horses high milage comes from small vehicles , on which ill pass i like my truck !
frdisone 3 years ago
although even I as a die hard ford guy question those milage figures.
jp23jd 3 years ago
best trucks ever made
jp23jd 3 years ago 3
These were not too bad of a truck; especially for the era.
bbo40 3 years ago
I had the 1980 Version of this truck with the 4.9 and the 4 speed Manual OD. Best vehicle I've ever owned. Those inline sixes ran like champs for 200,000 and even 300,000 miles. I still regret selling the truck all those years ago. The mileage wasn't too bad for a full size truck either. I got low 20s on the highway. I don't know where this 20/30 figure comes from, but it was a good truck than ran for over 20 years.
greatbison 3 years ago 2
Dear Santa Claus,
I want to keep my truck but I want better gas milage. Duh! I really don't need 300 frickin hp! I want a big 4cyl and 6-8 speed transmission. No turbo crap on the motor. I want 30 mpg combined city/hwy. If it tops out at 85 mph thats fine with me. I never go that fast anyway. I want a factory quad-folding bed cover to increase milage and allow easy access as standard or at least a cheap option.
Is this to much to ask?
I've been good this year!
Thanks Santa,
UbuntoO
UbuntoO 3 years ago 2
LIES!!!! HAHAHA
SKULLFU6C6K6ER 3 years ago
If trucks got that great of gas mileage, truck sales would be higher than cars!
segerduder 3 years ago
My 300 six gets mid-twenties on highway with 4 speed and overdrive. It's fuel injected, though.
They stopped making the inline six that they put in those trucks because of stricter emissions regulations. To make the engine comply with today's standards would rob it of a lot of its power.
saikotikgunman 3 years ago 4
1980's EPA fuel mileage estimates were outlandish. but rememeber the speed limit was 55 in most areas.
gm1990ss 3 years ago 2
and EPA hwy ratings even today are based on a 45mph hwy test which has never been a real world situation
jaialaisavant 3 years ago
my 84 4.9 been drivin i for only 5 months and it dont do worth a shit on gas
wrongstuf 3 years ago 2
bull shit 30 mpg i got a 95 4.9 with mpfi and it seems to get 17 mpg on the highway!
tparr2002 3 years ago 2
Ive owned 2 F150's with the 4.9 FI, i never got over 15 mpg with them, both were 5 speeds. My 89 got the best of 13 MPG, i have no clue were they get 30MPG
pursuit989 3 years ago
i get 32 mpg on a 68 300 6 but its carburated and wayyyyyyy better than that crap u guys got cause its in a mercury
6030diesel 3 years ago
I have no clue what your talking about. 32MPG. I find it hard to believe.
pursuit989 3 years ago
its just a 1 bbl holley carburator regular manifold intake and exhaust and a thrush muffler and thats it
6030diesel 3 years ago
mercury/ford plz tell me a diff..
guitarman2116 3 years ago
there really is no difference but the mercury has a different tail gate and different trim on it and it was only made in canada i was jsut bein a dummy sayin its all better cause its a mercury but there all the same
6030diesel 3 years ago
its cool man...gotta love the ol mercuy
guitarman2116 3 years ago
if people only knew how big of a lie this ad is lol
doug1bite 3 years ago
ur a stupid dumbass
chiefsmokempot 3 years ago
just speaking from experience, with mine i got 260 miles on 16.7 galons of gas witch is about 15.5 MPG
doug1bite 3 years ago
yeah i ment the gas mileage part is a lie i worded it wrong lol
doug1bite 3 years ago
ya bout the same for me, was feelin pissy that night kinda harsh words from me
chiefsmokempot 3 years ago
I have a 96 4.9 5 speed shortbox and its got 257000K true duel and cold air intake love it too 30-20 MPG Mmmmm no maybe 17 at best
bobbievalentine 4 years ago 2
i love my f-250 with the I-6 i have 180k on it and still runs like a top once you have the carb (for carb engines) dialed in, the 4.9 is a beast!!!
fordharley1986 4 years ago 4
ha, nice man. i got a 93 4.9 5 speed shortbed and its pushin 212000 miles and it runs great. i got duel exhaust in it and a cold air intake and its got some serious power.
HAROlover522 4 years ago 2
LOVE THAT STRAIGHT SIX!
garetts24 4 years ago
Most powerful six till the cummins came along...
MTGunNut 4 years ago
True, but the Cummins is a diesel. The 4.9 was the baddest six gasser of it's time. You can go as big as you want. The motor that is in my dad's 18 wheeler is a big cat inline six. Low end torque, anyone?
F150TuffTruckman 4 years ago
Im not putting shame to the 4.9L. I LOVE it. Its served me 167K so far, and still running strong. :)
MTGunNut 4 years ago
Oh I wasn't accusing you of bashing it. I was just adding to what you said. :P Mine has 208K miles and still running strong. Any inline six will live a looong time. I'm just especially fond of the 4.9
F150TuffTruckman 4 years ago 2
Yea, it's kinda funny how everyone seems to have a strange obsession with v8s...
MTGunNut 4 years ago
That's because most are fast and sound good. My dad hates 6's because he thinks they're slow. He's all about speed. I'm all about getting the job done. My 4.9 is fast enough for me. I just wish it got better MPG.
F150TuffTruckman 4 years ago 2
Yea, thats how the 4.9L got the ol' axe. :(
MTGunNut 4 years ago
I prefer the sound of a six
Righty736 3 years ago
Is this a real commercial???
F150TuffTruckman 4 years ago
4.9? Thats big for a six!!! Esp considering that Ford did a V8 of the same capacity!
joh2 4 years ago