Need help choosing an engine.

[bubba22349]

It's no doubt that a small engine 170 or 200 will move the truck with the right gearing. One disadvantage though a truck dose have more frontal area as well as poorer aerodynamics than a car which would = more drag. If the car and truck both weighted the same and used the same engine the car would still beat the truck in the MPG race.

 

[clintonvillian]

Yeah, thats all true. I plan to run a tonneau, chop and section it. Possibly even run a front air dam if i can incorprate it into the truck without looking goofy.

 

[chad]

"...3000 lbs, F100...Plan to run 2.73 gears with a T5...Main issue is fuel economy and low end torque."

What sz tires?
the 300 is quite long, can get the MPGs U seek - look on FTE @ the I6 forum or here on our 300/4.9 forum. Is very durable (FTE has a 30 page thread that's still goin over there) and a "gasser that's a diesel" (how I say it anyway). Has a separate intake and efi models. I suggest puttin on the heavy duty exhaust manifold & efi plugs (carbed or efi).

the 250 is a "stroked" 200.

All 3 will move the 3000# w/tq in low revs (the 2 bigger better) as that's the nature of any 6s rotation. As U mentioned w/higher compression mods - better.