f150 inline six

[Mike1919]

Ok, on Craigslist there is a 1990 f150 single cab with a 4.9 and 5 speed transmission. Its 4x4 with a 4 inch lidt and 33 inch tires. He's asking 900 but will entertain best offer. It needs a fuel pump and a rear driveline. I know the 4.9 was a very durable engine and I like that it's got a manual transmission. My question is, if I bought it to fix up how would it compare to my ranger with a 4.0? Do those 4.9s pull better than the 4.0 ohv? I know the numbers are a little higher, but can you feel them on the butt dyno? Also I've read that fuel economy is similar. Thanks.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The 4.9 is a slowpoke. But it'll drag a house at the same speed. Literally.

I've done a little to mine since I got it. Mine had 3.08 gears and the stock 235/75/15s with a 5-speed. I did a good tune-up, started running double platinum plugs and a quality cap and rotor (brass or copper contacts). That helped a bit with performance. Then I went to 31x10.5x15 tires and changed the gear ratios to 3.55 (most autos had 3.55 gears). Summit Racing Flowmaster knock-off muffler.

I kept eating slave cylinders until I finally got mad enough to swap a ZF-5 trans into it. Well worth the cost and effort, that truck is an absolute beast now. I've had over 2 tons in the bed before (not on purpose, mind you) and it pulled just fine. Stopping and steering was a little more sketchy, but it pulled great. And when it's empty and on the flat or downhill, I can start in second gear now.

 

[Mike1919]

Perfect, just the guy I am looking for. How dies it compare to the 4.0 v6 in terms of acceleration?

 

[Mightyfordranger]

U can think of the ole 300 i6 as more of a tractor they had 7 main bearings gear drivin timing and a friend of mine actually got his running g with some parts off a 9n Ford tractor like carb parts but yeah I have had a few they are slow on take off but just all around good running truck engines haul what u want take abuse neglect and won't quit on ya (I have tried)

 

[adsm08]

I feel like I should point out that just about anything can start a ZF5 off in second gear.

My dad's 250 you don't even get the clutch the whole way out before 1st is done.


The 4.9 is by no means a race engine. It doesn't accelerate in the traditional sense. Most of it's towing ability comes from the fact that an I6 engine will always have two cylinders on the power stroke.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Honestly, I have no idea how it compares acceleration wise to a 4.0, I've never had one to compare it to yet. I do know that it makes for a nice hauler though.

And unless that guy with the lifted one changed the gear ratios, it's going to be even slower than normal. The 4.9 is a great motor, if you need to do a lot of hauling and pulling. If you're just driving around, then you might want to stick with the 4.0 Ranger.

 

[Mike1919]

Honestly, I have no idea how it compares acceleration wise to a 4.0, I've never had one to compare it to yet. I do know that it makes for a nice hauler though.

And unless that guy with the lifted one changed the gear ratios, it's going to be even slower than normal. The 4.9 is a great motor, if you need to do a lot of hauling and pulling. If you're just driving around, then you might want to stick with the 4.0 Ranger.

Yeah that's probably what I'll do. I don't do alot of towing, and if I do its just a small trailer with two motorcycles on it which the ranger should handle no problem.

 

[Kayakcrazy]

That combo tends to be a very tough set up. Yes no speed demon but several of my friends and family had similar trucks. agree with the previous great towing a reliability