F-150 is powered by the 360-cubic inch V8 mated to a manual transmission, leading to a great burnout.
It seems that many of the Ford F-150pickups that we feature racing, mudding or doing burnouts are powered by a 302- or 351-cubic inch small block V8 or one of the big block options, but this truck is powered by the relatively rare 360-cubic inch “FE” V8. Compared to the more popular small block mills, the 360 was offered for a short time, leading to far fewer of them being beefed-up for improved performance, but this half-ton F-Series pickup from 1976 shows that this engine can put on a great smoke show.
F-150 with a 360
The 360-cubic inch “FE” V8 was introduced for the Ford F-Series lineup in 1968 and it was available through the 1976 model year, being replaced in 1977 by the 351M from the 335-series engine family. When the 360 was introduced, it offered 215 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque, but when the American automakers switched to SAE engine measurement standards in 1972, the ratings of this V8 effectively dropped to 196 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque, even though the real-world output was the same in 1971 and 1972.
The power from this 360-cubic inch V8 is sent to the rear wheels of this Ford F-150 by means of a 4-speed manual transmission
Burnout Competition Action
The footage above comes to us from the luckysebes13 YouTube channel, with this 1976 Ford F-150 participating in the Carver Steamboat Days burnout contest back in 2017. As you can see, the truck is stationed on a concrete pad that has been well-soaked while concrete barriers around the perimeter keep everyone safe during the tire-smoking fun.
We can hear the driver bring the engine speed up before dumping the clutch, getting the big rear tires of this F-150 spinning with ease. It only takes a few seconds before smoke is pouring off of both rear tires, and even as the driver moves through the gears, the old Ford keeps the rear rubber smoldering.
As the burnout continues, the truck disappears into the smoke, but after more than a minute, the action ends with the rear right tire disintegrates, leading to a big roar from the crowd. Loads of smoke is important in a burnout competition, but if you can blow out a tire or two, it improves the chances of a victory.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
