New motor?!?!

[enginepaul]

Another opinion here. I've rebuilt two 2.8s; one was really an overhaul - expanded pistons, ridge ream, heads re-done and no other machine shop work. Had to do a new cam and all bearings and of course rings. Engine ran great for a long time and was running great when the truck was sold. A good established machine shop can check your parts once you disassemble the engine.

The next was a special deal from e-bay with new pistons and a complete rebuild. I still have it (stock because I'm in California) and use it almost every day. These engines seem to run for ever, but they are not powerhouses.
I do think a 302 is a cheaper rebuilt because parts are more readily available and give more power, but for my uses - 'daily driver' and some hauling - I would stick with the 2.8 because it does have adequate power for normal driving and is easy on gas.

It's up to you as to how much you want to spend, and what your (hopefully realistic) goals are. I can afford a newer truck, but I'm keeping my '85.

 

[fordracing121]

Thanks yeah I think I'm gonna stick with a 2.8 cause of gas mostly but thanks for the help

 

[Psychopete]

I can afford a newer truck, but I'm keeping my '85.

+1

Most of the time, it's being sold because there's something wrong. If I have something that runs solid, I will drive it until it just won't go, or is too embarassing to drive from engine noises and such.

Pete

 

[swampy]

The 2.8 is a good solid motor that got a bad rap because of the screwed up electronic carb. If you start with a good engine and get rid of the feedback carb and change the ignition, you will have an engine that will deliver good mileage and run for a very long time.

The 2.8 has a couple of things going for it for longevity that most other engines don't - 1.) it has timing gears, rather than a chain 2.) it has solid lifters - so this means no hydraulic lifter problems.

That being said - the 2.8 will never make a good dragster...

 

[skippy]

ditto,i have the original motor still going after 25 years,but the carb and computer are for shit.i've only put some money in the head and it purs like a kitten.i've put a hell of alot into the emisions and for not.i see a duraspark conversion in my future.

 

[KJMac]

The 2.8 is a good solid motor that got a bad rap because of the screwed up electronic carb. If you start with a good engine and get rid of the feedback carb and change the ignition, you will have an engine that will deliver good mileage and run for a very long time.

The 2.8 has a couple of things going for it for longevity that most other engines don't - 1.) it has timing gears, rather than a chain 2.) it has solid lifters - so this means no hydraulic lifter problems.

That being said - the 2.8 will never make a good dragster...

I'm getting ready to do a 350 Holley and duraspark w/MSD 6A. Do you know what other people are getting for improvements on Average?
Thanks!!

 

[swampy]

There is a lot of info in the Technical Library about mods you can do on the 2.8. Some people have installed headers and a cam. I think you could see some performance gains with some work on the heads if you can find someone who knows what they are doing.