What engines were available in the 74 Ford F100?
The 1974 Ford F-100 offered a broad engine lineup—from a 6-cylinder inline engine to several V8 options—depending on trim, configuration, and emissions controls of the era.
Inline-six engines
Inline-six powerplants were favored for reliability and economy. The F-100's six-cylinder options varied by market and build, but two common choices appeared in many configurations during this era.
- 240 cubic inch inline-six (approximately 3.9 L)
- 300 cubic inch inline-six (approximately 4.9 L)
Notes: Inline-sixes emphasized durability and torque for light- to medium-duty work. Availability could differ by region and model year due to emissions standards and packaging constraints.
V8 engines
Ford offered a range of V8s to cover everything from daily work duties to heavier hauling. The exact options depended on the truck’s specification and market, but several displacements were commonly associated with the F-100 lineup in this period.
- 302 cubic inch V8 (approximately 5.0 L)
- 351 Windsor V8 (approximately 5.8 L)
- 360 cubic inch V8 (approximately 5.9 L)
- 390 cubic inch V8 (approximately 6.4 L)
- 400 cubic inch V8 (approximately 6.6 L)
- 429 cubic inch V8 (approximately 7.0 L)
- 460 cubic inch V8 (approximately 7.5 L)
Notes: The V8 lineup combined small-block (Windsor family) and big-block (FE/385-series) designs, offering a spectrum of power and torque. Availability varied by bodystyle (half-ton vs. heavy-duty), cab configuration, and regional emissions rules. Some engines may not have been offered on every trim or market in 1974.
Notes on engines by year and region
Emissions regulations and market variations in the early 1970s led to shifting availability. If you’re researching a specific 1974 F-100, check the vehicle’s VIN, window sticker, or build sheet to confirm the exact engine option for that truck.
Summary
The 1974 Ford F-100 offered a flexible engine lineup that ranged from durable inline-sixes to a broad set of V8s, including 302, 351 Windsor, 360, 390, 400, 429, and 460 displacements. Exact availability depended on configuration, region, and emissions rules of the era. For a precise match, verify the engine on an individual truck via its documentation or build data.
Overall takeaway: the 1974 F-100 could be configured for economy or for heavier-duty work, with engine choices designed to balance reliability, performance, and regulatory requirements of the time.
What year is the F-100 the most desirable?
Collectors still love early-model versions of the “Effie” for its classic styling and ease of modification with the 1953-1956 versions in high demand to this day.
How much is a 1974 Ford F100 worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $19,241 for a 1974 Ford F-100 1/2 Ton in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1974 Ford F-100 1/2 Ton at auction over the last three years was $101,200.
What engine came in the Ford F100?
The F-100 was offered with the gasoline-powered Y-Block 272 V8 and the Lima OHC 2.3L inline-four in both gasoline and dedicated ethanol versions. It was only available in a single cab, short box body style, and 2-wheel drive. The F-100 was discontinued in 1985. The F-1000 was produced since 1979 until 1992.
What Ford engine to stay away from?
The 5.4-liter Triton engine is a member of Ford's Modular V8 engine family, introduced in 1997. The three-valve version produced from 2002 to 2008 is the most problematic and one of the most unreliable Ford engines.
