Best bare bones v8 block to start.

[Dirtman]

If someone handed me a free LS engine I probably still wouldn't bother with it. Not because it's a bad engine or it's a chevy. Because the 302 fits in the ranger with minimal effort. It was essentially made to be in there.

I got no issue mixing motors around. Especially on older carbed vehicles but when your dealing with newer stuff and computers. Why bother? I can get all the parts for the 302 and make it a clean hassle free install that in the end will look factory.

And as i said I'm only looking to make 300-350hp which is nothing for pretty much any small block so it's not a battle for more power. I want a nice reliable daily driver that's got some guts as a little sleeper.

 

[Snoranger]

Well you were all a tremendous lack of help.

I gave you good advice... in the end you wound up with one of the engines I recommended.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Well you were all a tremendous lack of help. So I stopped at pick apart on the way home just to "look" and there was a 92 mustang gt with the motor 90% pulled already. I asked the kid what he would want to finish taking it out and load it into my truck. He said 50 bucks and I said you gotta deal! He just ripped it out with the bulldozer.

125 for the motor, 50 to pull it, I plan to sell anything salvageable except the block, crank, and heads....

When I get it stripped I'm taking it to get fluxed and that will be the only time anyone else touches this engine. When that's done I'll start measuring and testing to see what machine work needs to be done. The only thing I can't physically do is line bore. My lathe could do it but the parts and tooling to set it up for that are astronomical. Were talking 10 grand minimu plus making custom carriages. So if the block is that bad itll go in the pond for the fish...

It will probably just sit in my garage for 15 years and go no where though.

Might as well pull those heads and bolt a chain to them for some nice boat anchors. If you're wanting to make 300HP or more then Mustang heads aren't what you want anyway.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Might as well pull those heads and bolt a chain to them for some nice boat anchors. If you're wanting to make 300HP or more then Mustang heads aren't what you want anyway.

I learned something today.

 

[Dirtman]

My butt itches...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

My butt itches...

Already knew that. Boxers fix that.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If someone handed me a free LS engine I probably still wouldn't bother with it. Not because it's a bad engine or it's a chevy. Because the 302 fits in the ranger with minimal effort. It was essentially made to be in there.

I got no issue mixing motors around. Especially on older carbed vehicles but when your dealing with newer stuff and computers. Why bother? I can get all the parts for the 302 and make it a clean hassle free install that in the end will look factory.

And as i said I'm only looking to make 300-350hp which is nothing for pretty much any small block so it's not a battle for more power. I want a nice reliable daily driver that's got some guts as a little sleeper.

Yeah, a 302 swap isn't bad at all. Been there done that, as far as swaps go mine is pretty close to factory looking. For what I want to do it would be a pretty easy way to make a 25-30yo vehicle run/drive like a 5-10yo vehicle. Something I could jump in and drive to Texas or California or whatever.

It is really stinking hard to find a low mile 302, most 5.0 Explorers are well north of 200k. So for a turnkey powertrain you would really have to go thru both the engine and trans. I have been looking for a rebuildable core for mine to go thru... 70's junk that has been sitting in a shed for $400, Mustang pullouts for $1200... not having much luck.

I think for a lot of people anymore they are not worth the time to pull before junking a vehicle.

 

[Snoranger]

Yeah, a 302 swap isn't bad at all. Been there done that, as far as swaps go mine is pretty close to factory looking. For what I want to do it would be a pretty easy way to make a 25-30yo vehicle run/drive like a 5-10yo vehicle. Something I could jump in and drive to Texas or California or whatever.

It is really stinking hard to find a low mile 302, most 5.0 Explorers are well north of 200k. So for a turnkey powertrain you would really have to go thru both the engine and trans. I have been looking for a rebuildable core for mine to go thru... 70's junk that has been sitting in a shed for $400, Mustang pullouts for $1200... not having much luck.

I think for a lot of people anymore they are not worth the time to pull before junking a vehicle.

You just reminded me... I have a 5.0 I pulled from a 91 Cougar XR-7 tucked in a corner under a work bench in my garage. I should do something with that.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I just saw a low mileage EFI 302 on Ebay last night. Sitting in a Cougar if I remember right. Or in one of the XRI something or rathers..

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Psst.

Use these on your V8. BOTH OF THEM.

 

[Snoranger]

 

[G8orFord]

Psst.

Use these on your V8. BOTH OF THEM.

View attachment 32904

If those were Ford M90s I might take one off of your hands.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

If those were Ford M90s I might take one off of your hands.

Haha, I always have a pile of Eaton blowers and name it turbochargers sitting here. Ford M90s aren't common though.

 

[Snoranger]

Haha, I always have a pile of Eaton blowers and name it turbochargers sitting here. Ford M90s aren't common though.

I can usually pick up Ford m90s for $50-75. I've even picked 2 of them up for free. (If you spin he pulley back and forth the coupler clunks... you tell the seller it needs a rebuild and you're not interested. They'll usually say just take it. )
I have an m112 and an m122 in my collection. I may still have an m90 or 2 left.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I can usually pick up Ford m90s for $50-75. I've even picked 2 of them up for free. (If you spin he pulley back and forth the coupler clunks... you tell the seller it needs a rebuild and you're not interested. They'll usually say just take it. )
I have an m112 and an m122 in my collection. I may still have an m90 or 2 left.

An Eaton m122 you say... Hmmmm