1988 4x4 2.9 to 302

[tmaxxman]

i'm about to do a 302 swap what is the best donor vehicle to make it as easy as it can be done and as cheap any pics and other tips and tricks would be great

 

[tmaxxman]

bump

 

[Dan B.]

My '88 4wd swap used F-150 parts. C6 and transfer case with a crate 302 and V-belt system.

 

[tmaxxman]

ok i found a EFI motor and i got the motor harness and computer the ??? i have is after i put it in and get the harness hooked to the motor will it just plug in to the other plugs that are in my truck now over by the brake booster

 

[Psychopete]

no they won't. must get EVTMs and splice the 2.9L main harness plugs onto the V8 harness to make it work. some variation of an F-150 batch fire system can be used with the 2.9L harness and 5.0 computer (look in v8 section), but still have to splice plugs to plug the 2.9L harness into the v8.

 

[tmaxxman]

ok thanks i really don't want to get in to splicing wires together im not good with wiring at all so if i go with a carbureted engine is it like a chevy were all you need is a hot wire to the distributor to run it ??? sorry for being a pain in the ass

 

[Psychopete]

Not too hard to put a carburetor on what you have, if you've already have an engine. I would at least want something roller to start with, even better if you can find one with a short front end dress, but really a trade off for ease of install for harder to find and more expensive.

As far EFI or carb, you can either spend the time to wire it up, or spend the time putzing around getting the carb tuned in - it's about a wash.

With HEI distributor, yes, it's one wire for ignition. The duraspark units are a lot less bulky, though. Could run duraspark, GM HEI, and your existing coil. Still have fuel and other things to worry about electrically.