Did I work her too hard

[FordRocket72]

I am doing a job that required 3/4 cubic yards of concrete sand for paving stones. After leaving the rockery I thought I might have worked my old Ford too hard. She wouldn't go more then 30mph and I was worried. Did I work her too hard? At least I know what my truck will look like if I lowered her.....

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

doesn't look too low. you have a 6cyl? chances are that the engine/gears just weren't powerful enough to haul the load fast

[FordRocket72]

390, with automatic.

[Mancar1]

390. How does it run? Tranny work ok? Sounds like high miles, and some work is needed. Even with a heavy load, if things are working right that 390 should move out with no problem.

[GSequoia]

I hauled this in my F250/390/C6/4.10:1 no problem.

[Mancar1]

I hauled this in my F250/390/C6/4.10:1 no problem.

[ Image ]

That's what I'm talking about.

[onetuford]

My brother had a 72 f100 with a home-made dump box on it and hauled three yards of black dirt with no problem(360) except the axle was hard on the bump stop.

[AlleyCat]

I'm with Mancar1. You're truck prolly needs some attention. That 390 should move that with no problem.

[flyboy2610]

The 390 builds it's power higher in the powerband than a 360 does. The 390 is a sport engine, the 360 is a truck engine.
You were trying to use a racehorse as a draft horse.

[FLATBEDFORD]

I often haul 5000lbs of firewood, gravel or dirt with my 360 powered F350. If the 390 was struggling it may have a problem. Do you know what ratio the rear is?

[Mancar1]

The 390 builds it's power higher in the powerband than a 360 does. The 390 is a sport engine, the 360 is a truck engine.
You were trying to use a racehorse as a draft horse.

I'm on my 3rd 390 over the years, in pickups, never had a problem with the pulling, hauling, nor the racing.

[Mancar1]

The 390 builds it's power higher in the powerband than a 360 does. The 390 is a sport engine, the 360 is a truck engine.
You were trying to use a racehorse as a draft horse.

I'm on my 3rd 390 over the years, in pickups, never had a problem with the pulling, hauling, nor the racing.

A truck 390 is not a racehorse unless one makes it so. Thats my story, and I'm sticking with it.

[nevrenufhp]

doesn't look too low. you have a 6cyl? chances are that the engine/gears just weren't powerful enough to haul the load fast

Is that because a 300 is weak?
Here's mine with a little 6 banger hauling around 2000 pounds in the bed, and it did amazingly well. I even got on it to see how well it would get to 55mph. I couldnt stop too well, but that's a given.

[Mancar1]

My 81 Ranger had a stock 300 six. Good truck, good motor. Could haul, and pull within its limits. Sure as heck couldn't pull like a 390. Not even close. I believe 1981 was the last year of the full size Ford Ranger. When we got our 27' Streamline I did pull it the 6 miles to our place with the 81 Ranger. Did the job, but it did strain it a lot. I should have used Dad's 78 Chevy with the 350, but he had said my Ford 6 couldn't do it. It did, but it shouldn't have.

[FLATBEDFORD]

The 300 six will move anything as long as you are not in a hurry. I have owned Ford trucks with the 300 six, 351, 360, and 6.8 V10. Aside from the V10, and excluding fuel mileage, I'd say the 360 is the best truck engine. The six had torque like crazy, the 351 needed some RPMs for power and the 360 has the torque of the six and the HP of the 351. The V10 blows them all away in power and economy.