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Old 05-27-2004, 08:06 PM   #1
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Opinions about a '86 Ford 6 cyl

I know we don't need another thread, but I have to make a decision soon, and I think this is kinda different. I have a '86 Ford 3/4 ton van, and was going to put in a big v8. But then I was wondering if a 6 could be quality rebuilt, and "tricked out" enough to make it a decent pull vehicle. I always heard that 6's had more torque. It is a long story but smog will not be a factor, and yes it will be legal. Please help.
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Old 05-28-2004, 05:33 AM   #2
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Try these people

I guess it depends on what you are willing to live with There is no substitute for cubic inches! Give this website a tryClifford I have used a lot of Chevy parts from them in the past with great results.

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Old 05-28-2004, 07:32 AM   #3
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First hand experience....

I had a (new) 1980 F-150 353 4bbl, replaced it with a (new) '82 F-250 300 cu inch inline 6 2 bbl. I also have owned a '90 300 fuel infected 6. No comparison - the V 8 won hands down, and the F.I. 6 was MUCH better than the carbureted engine.

Only got 1 mpg better mileage on the 6 vs the 8 to boot.

I had to drop down to 3td gear with the carbureted 6 to pull even a minor hill with a load. All 3 trucks were 4 speed manuals. I also had more than my share of transmission and clutch problems with them, considering that almost all of the mileage I put on them was light highway. The trucks were never dogged or ragged, although all of them were subjected to heavy loads from time to time. None of the failures occured when on a loaded trip.

Having said that I also know first hand that working on an V-8 in a van (even a 6) is EXTREMELY difficult. One thing the engineers did not build in was access.
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Old 05-28-2004, 07:41 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 87MH
. . . I also have owned a '90 300 fuel infected 6.
HA HA! I think your typewriter has an upsidedown j.
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Old 05-28-2004, 07:46 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
HA HA! I think your typewriter has an upsidedown j.
Don:

I just wish I could blame it on the machine - obviously, operator error.

The older I get, the more parts I find that are defective, slower working, or not working at all. Heavy sigh.

Might be a hormone thing (getting the left hand confused with the other left hand) - uhoh, my chauvinistic piglet attitude is resurfacing .

Can anyone say "Spell Check"?
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Old 05-28-2004, 08:07 AM   #6
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Thank you all for the prompt response. It looks like the original 6 will have to go. Boy you are sure right about the lack of room.

But Dennis, I think you had it right the first time. We are in deed fuel infected.
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