What high milleage can a 200cid handle

[canvaspaul]

Maybe a strange question, but when can you talk about a high mileage engine is it 100.000, 200.000 ore more?
I am wondering what this engine can handle, in Europe is the volvo 760 and 960 famous for the gasoline engine (bullet proof) making a easy 300.000 miles and more.
I'm curios what a ford strait 6 can do.

Gr Paul

 

[xctasy]

The later Mercury Zephyr/Fairmont/t bird/Capri/Cougar/LTD Fox 200 with 2.73 gears and 3 speed auto less than 92 hp is one of the worlds most unstressed engines. Same with the Falcon, Comete, Econoline, Mustang, Fairlane, Ranchero, Maverick, Torino, Early Bronco, Granada, Monarch, Varsailies

17 US cars that had it from late 1962 to 1983, I'm sure I missed a few . Some years only got 250's, but there were around 40 million made based on an estimate made a few years back. On some of the Fox and X body lines, about 60% were I6's and not V8's. On the Fox Tbird, about 2% from 1980 to 1982, but on the Fairmont, most of them missed the good old 4.2 and 5.0, and got the 3.3 instead of the 2.3. Not that many Fox Mustangs got I6's, but its as common as the 2.3 or 4.2


Down here, our much more highly tuned 2-bbl 121 hp 3.3 Falcons regularly did well over over 290 000 miles before lifting a head.

The Fox bodies probably more due to having 30 % less power, higher gearing, less weight, more areodynamic bodies and better radiators than our old Aussie sedans. Being iron headed engine with a brass radiator core, it never needed too much in the way of engine coolant maintenace. Depends on oil changes. From what i can tell, a lot of US i6 Fox cars would be thrashed, and often sit on 70 to 85 mph range after the 55 mph limit got lifted, so actual use has more bearing on max miles than inherent reliabilty.

After the EFI 5.0 V8, which was noted in 1992 as having had the least warranty claimes of any Fox engine, the 2.3 carb Turbo the most, but the 3.3 was a very realiable engine too. The 3.8 not so reliable due to head gaskets, but still a great engine. In fact, all vee engines (except the CA spec Variable venturi 2.8's and 4.2/5.0's) were good for high miles, just as good as the I6, but harder to keep well serviced due to intake manifold and dual exhast manifolds, ignition crossfire issues, whereas the six could limp on for 30 years with a leaking 1946 carb and malfuntioning emissions.

Another thing. These devices are often cheep second cars, so many a low kilometer rides exist. But even with 85 000 miles, guys are always saying "It's gutless but reliable and runs great"

 

[Jakes66snake]

Most engine failurs are caused from neglect or lack of maintenance. Fixing issues as the arise, keeping it from overheating, running lean, running out of oil ect ect. That being said engine "normal wear" is directly related to fuel consumption so higher hp leavels and pulling loads decreases total miles of use. (basicly what xctasy said)

Then you have to ask yourself, What do you concider acceptable? Because we all see the smoking, knocking and may or may not start cars on the road. Heck I drove a 66/200 with a hole in #5 piston for a month or so. I had to wire tie the dip stick down. Of course I was 16 and it was my first car, and I was going to drive! Cost me more in oil than gas to drive to school. Even ran out and locked the engine up twice. But it was still drivable. Today I wouldn't leave the driveway with something like that. I think alot of the "100k limit" is because of the odometer only going to 99,999. But got to figure the cost of car, average miles driven in 66. The rest of the car would be less than desirerable before you got to the "miricle mile" and you would buy a new one. ..............IDK to much coffee for me this morning sorry for the spelling mistakes........................

 

[CobraSix]

I would agree. Life is a function of 3 things. One is design related, the other two are owner related.

First, the design one. Generally speaking, an engine with a higher HP/CI ratio is going to be subject to a greater failure rate. Just plain and simple. Look at the volvo engines. Very reliable engines, but the turbo variant has more maintenance issues because it's HP/CI is about 60% higher. So, you get more failures from supporting systems, like the turbo, drain valves, head gaskets. Though, I had a turbo volvo completely overheat and boil over. Head gasket never moved where others had heads warp when you looked at them funny. But then again, I was anal about maintenance. Now, the 3.3L, in stock form had an extremely low HP/CI ratio by modern standards, so you are likely never to push it hard enough for the internals to get stressed. only failures I've seen are from people pushing it with 15+ psi of boost (or about 400% HP/Ci above stock).

The other two are driver related. How hard is the car driven and how well is it maintained. Now, these all work together. A car can be driven hard and so long as maintenance is done more aggressively, the engine will be fine. Case and point, my 2004 1500. 323k miles, original engine. Still purrs. It was a commercially maintained truck. It was beat on, but was impeccably maintained from a mechanical stand point. But, if you drive hard and maintain little, problems come up. If you drive soft and maintain a lot, you should have little problems.

But if you are evaluating a car with lots of miles, honestly the mileage is the last thing I worry about. Look at the car and how it's maintained. High mileage doesn't scare me if the car has been maintained.

To answer your question...100k miles easy. 200k miles shouldn't be abnormal. heck, I bet a stock 200 could get 300k miles without any issues provided warranty is there.

 

[canvaspaul]

So that's clear, my mustang has probable only 80.000 miles, I don't expect 180.000 but the car for my son has at least 120.000 ore maybe 220.000 miles on the clock
because if I start the car I hear some knocking and banging and the sound is coming from the engine
Yes, I was talking about the older Volvo engine's with no turbo's ore other stuff build to the engine.
The car's from us will be used only for cruising and will see very rare the highway, so the can last very long, and the maintenance will done be good.

Gr Paul

 

[JackFish]

The later Mercury Zephyr/Fairmont/t bird/Capri/Cougar/LTD Fox 200 with 2.73 gears and 3 speed auto less than 92 hp is one of the worlds most unstressed engines. Same with the Falcon, Comete, Econoline, Mustang, Fairlane, Ranchero, Maverick, Torino, Early Bronco, Granada, Monarch, Varsailies

Yah and the cars rusted out from around the motors, and the motors were so choked up with their own emmissions that they just sludged up and quit.

 

[WhiteHorse-6]

My '65 Mustang has the 200cid and has 230,000+ miles and still going strong.

 

[chad]

"... But it was still drivable..."
Yeah, in those flat lands! I spent my 1st 10 yrs. in Cambridge , MD.

(my 170 did 300K - but wuz a '64 Dart)

 

[Jakes66snake]

"... But it was still drivable..."
Yeah, in those flat lands! I spent my 1st 10 yrs. in Cambridge , MD.

(my 170 did 300K - but wuz a '64 Dart)

Very true!!! Flat land made it easy on the brakes, they were like state employees... one worked the other three just watched.

 

[chad]

U joker,
I meant the motor.
Hey, any of the ol watermen still sail the Choptank to do their fhishin?
Man I miss it down there, aint been back since the '60s.
(I'm in my 60's).
Duck, deer, oyster, and crab capitol of the world!!!
PM me if U will?!?
chrlsful@aol.com

 

[woodbutcher]

Hi canvaspaul.If the small 6`s are anything like the 300 ci`s,you don`t have a thing to worry about as far as long service life.Given proper maint on the engine.A friend in Florida has a 92 F150 with the 4.9lt six with over 500k miles on it(as of two years ago) and still going strong.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

[bigblue91]

I know this post is a couple weeks old but thought I would chime in ...

The last Maverick I bought has a 250. The car is all original and has been there and done that, owner said the mileage has rolled over twice and the speedometer gear was worn flat. My best guess the car is flirting around 220,000 miles. Trunk is rought, pass. quarter needs replaced but I rescued the car and got a great deal in my opinion.

I had to rebuild the transmission, it was filthy, and the radiator needed replacing. However...the engine is still going strong. A simple carburetor rebuild/adjustment and she ran like a sewing machine.
The 250 has some noisy lifters but I don't want to break into the engine until I retire and restore the car.

My family keeps their cars as long as they can. 3,000 mile oil changes all around and our cars have all achieved 100,000+ with a few of our pickups getting 250,000+ miles. If you keep the oil clean and change your coolant every couple years the engine will stay clean and keep going.
I will say I believe straight sixes naturally last longer then most engine designs, low end power saves the engine from working faster and harder unlike a 4 cylinder engine which maintains higher RPM's almost exclusively.

Like many have mentioned...when you combine low power and low compression you create less strain elsewhere, Ford's straight six is a very durable engine, and I know a few people with high mileage 300 sixes. Same goes for Chryslers slant 6, people always tell you how you can't kill them. Very hard engine to kill.

Aside from a lifter failing and bending a pushrod or hammering down at every intersection and throwing a rod...I don't see a 200/250 getting hurt under normal and maintained use.

My 2 cents.

 

[chad]

like big blue I got alota miles outta a 170. A Slant Six tho ('64 Dart wagon went all over - 300K - this country- '74 - '88). I didn't have the 225.

..."I don't see a 200/250 getting hurt under normal and maintained use..."
I've heard on here that there's a lill trouble "at the 2nd head bolt" due to "thin casting at the water jacket". Is that expressed correctly. Can anyone add anything to that. May B more importantly:

traditionally, on average - how many mi in does it fail
AND
what can be done to repair, prevent or otherwise deal with it?

Thanx

 

[Flade99]

The question really depends on what the engine is in and how it is used. The early Mustangs were notoriously under cooled, with radiators that were too small, ineffective fans, and no shrouds on most 6 cyl engines. As heat is the #1 threat to an engine, this was a major factor in the death of many an engine. Also the poor carbs of the day often lead to knocking, lean conditions and general fouling. That said, the bottom end of the 200 is rock solid and can easily run for 200k or even much more if taken care of. The top end isn't much to talk about, but it is reliable to a point. The most common issue is failure of the valve oil seals. These break down and the parts get into the oil system. Yuck! If you replace them with modern seals, provide adequate cooling, a good fuel system, and regular oil changes, tune ups etc, the Ford 6 will likely run just about forever.

 

[chad]

"...valve oil seals."

OK, pretty simple to fix. I've seen many mention that problem. Parts/location/price etc have been listed here.

Any 1 chime in about this "2nd head bolt area too thin at the water jacket" idea?
(May B I've not stated it's location/problem correctly)...