Ford 300 Inline Six Vs. 302

Ford developed the 300-cubic-inch inline six-cylinder and the 302 V-8 engines to serve two distinct purposes. The straight-six is an economical workhorse. The 302 is about compact power and performance. F-Series trucks are likely to have straight-six, while the 302 powers Mustangs.

Blue-Collar Engine

Ford began production of the 300 straight-six in 1965 for the F-series pickup truck and as an industrial/agricultural powerplant. Tractors, wood chippers and delivery step vans used the 300. Most vehicles with a 300 traveled 300,000 miles before the first overhaul. Production ended in 1996.

300 Specs

The 300 with a single-barrel carburetor debuted in pickups generating 170 horsepower and 283 foot-pounds of torque. Its bore was 4 inches and the stroke 3.98 inches. The compression ratio was 8.9-to-1. By 1973, the horsepower dropped to 101, according to Engine Facts and Car Buddy.

Performance

Ford's 302 V-8 saw production from 1968 to 1995 and powered Mustangs, Lincolns and Mercurys. It's primarily known as the powerplant in performance Mustang Boss 302s during the 1960s muscle car era.

302 Specs

The two-barrel-carburetor version of the 302 in 1968 delivered 210 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque with a 4-inch bore, 3-inch stroke and a 9.5-to-1 compression ratio. The four-barrel-carburetor version developed 230 horsepower and 310 foot-pounds of torque. The Boss 302 developed 290 horsepower.

References

• Engine Facts: Ford 300 Inline 6 Cylinder Engine
• Car Buddy: 1978 Ford F-250
• Ford Club: Ford 300 Inline 6
• Engine Facts: Ford 302 V8 Engine
• Car Memories: Ford 302 Engine Specs
• Unique Cars and Parts: Falcon XB Specifications