Why drive a truck with a big six cylinder?

[grumpin]

Don't get me wrong, I think the 300 is an excellent truck engine. And I'm not a huge 460 believer. Yes, the 460 has tractor-like torque, but there's a major difference in at least one aspect - MPG. Yours gets almost exactly twice the MPG as BB.

Here is an idea, Gary. In the past, you and I drove the "loop" for gas mileage. You commented, at that time, that my truck was at a disadvantage due to me following and having to catch up with the lead truck. This year, let's you and I take my truck and fill up at Mr. Bass's and you drive the whole way [i'll enjoy the scenery]. Back to the "fillin" station and see what the mileage is?

It will only take a little over an hour and I can arrive early.

I like torque!

I think me and the big six would get along just fine!

[Gary Lewis]

Don't get me wrong, I think the 300 is an excellent truck engine. And I'm not a huge 460 believer. Yes, the 460 has tractor-like torque, but there's a major difference in at least one aspect - MPG. Yours gets almost exactly twice the MPG as BB.

Here is an idea, Gary. In the past, you and I drove the "loop" for gas mileage. You commented, at that time, that my truck was at a disadvantage due to me following and having to catch up with the lead truck. This year, let's you and I take my truck and fill up at Mr. Bass's and you drive the whole way [i'll enjoy the scenery]. Back to the "fillin" station and see what the mileage is?

It will only take a little over an hour and I can arrive early.

That's a good idea, David. But maybe you should drive Blue. Just swap trucks for the same drive and see what happens.

[Steve83]

It will get almost anything almost anywhere... as long as you're not in a hurry.

Even with a million original miles & only 3 gears, mine will still push my 3-ton Bronco into triple digits, and keep it there (except on uphills). I've been driving the '95F for the past few days, and with the new engine mounts, it's VERY peppy & smooth through all 5 gears. I was passing traffic doing 90 today, and had to slow down a few times. I'm not ready to take it up to 100 yet, though - gotta change some suspension bushings...

[ArdWrknTrk]

That's a good idea, David. But maybe you should drive Blue. Just swap trucks for the same drive and see what happens.

Maybe David should lead with his 300 and you should follow?

[Gary Lewis]

Maybe David should lead with his 300 and you should follow?

Steve - With the right gearing the 300 can do about any job. Looks like you have the right gearing for driving fast.

Jim - I think part of the issue is that I know the road well. I know how much to throttle up to maintain speed, where to let off to coast, how fast to take the curves, etc. And I believe that can be a big factor in achieving good MPG.

So David's at a disadvantage no matter which vehicle he drives. But, if he were in the lead and if I was trying to mimic him, as you suggest, then my advantage would be nullified. However, I don't know that I could be relied upon to mimic him. I think I'd revert to driving the road the way I always drive it.

[Steve83]

Steve - With the right gearing the 300 can do about any job. Looks like you have the right gearing for driving fast.

Jim - I think part of the issue is that I know the road well. I know how much to throttle up to maintain speed, where to let off to coast, how fast to take the curves, etc. And I believe that can be a big factor in achieving good MPG.

So David's at a disadvantage no matter which vehicle he drives. But, if he were in the lead and if I was trying to mimic him, as you suggest, then my advantage would be nullified. However, I don't know that I could be relied upon to mimic him. I think I'd revert to driving the road the way I always drive it.

The Bronco's gears are 3.08 w/NP435 (no OD); the F150's 2.73 w/Mazdog (OD), so I can't actually get it to 3500RPM in 5th. If there was a downhill nearby a couple miles long, and there was a helluva tailwind, it might get up there if I let it, but it'd probably be doing 150mph and the tires would explode.

[grumpin]

The Bronco's gears are 3.08 w/NP435 (no OD); the F150's 2.73 w/Mazdog (OD), so I can't actually get it to 3500RPM in 5th. If there was a downhill nearby a couple miles long, and there was a helluva tailwind, it might get up there if I let it, but it'd probably be doing 150mph and the tires would explode.

I would like to watch!

 

[Gary Lewis]

The Bronco's gears are 3.08 w/NP435 (no OD); the F150's 2.73 w/Mazdog (OD), so I can't actually get it to 3500RPM in 5th. If there was a downhill nearby a couple miles long, and there was a helluva tailwind, it might get up there if I let it, but it'd probably be doing 150mph and the tires would explode.

I thought you were running pretty tall gears to cruise that fast with a 300. I'm not saying anything bad about that engine, but it isn't fond of high R's. So to cruise at that speed w/o effort means tall gears.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I'm not saying anything bad about that engine, but it isn't fond of high R's.

Um.... okay.

I'll just drop this here:

 

[Gary Lewis]

I'm not saying anything bad about that engine, but it isn't fond of high R's.

Um.... okay.I'll just drop this here:

I guess I should have said "in its stock configuration".

With 7 main bearings the 300 has a significant enough foundation to support a lot of power - and RPM. However, with the log intake and exhaust manifolds, not to mention that they are on the same side of the engine, it is difficult to get them to rev very high.

Enter the Frenchtown Flyer with his cross-flow head and tubular intakes and exhausts. THEN the 300 can rev.