- Joined
- Jan 28, 2017
- Messages
- 288
- Reaction score
- 44
- Location
- Leicester, NC
- Vehicle Year
- 1987
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- V8
- Engine Size
- 302
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
- Tire Size
- 205/60R15 & 225/60R15
Everything I've seen shows cutting a little out of the top of the pass frame rail for the Tri-Ys I use now to work with the 351. I might have to modify the heater plenum a little more to clear the valve cover. I have a lot of room around my steering box now but it's manual so maybe it's smaller. The only huge downfall I can find with the late model 351 is it's low compression ratio. Best I can tell through the spark plug hole it has huge dished pistons and I don't think they're rated much over 8:1 in '95 so I'd definitely be into a set of pistons even if it stays standard bore. In a perfect world I'd rebuild the 302 in the truck now but I daily drive it for the most part. I think the '71 302 is rated at pretty good hp, or it had some 50 years ago. Now it has massive blowby and barely holds any oil pressure when it's warm. Still doesnt smoke or use oil though and runs like a top, just no power.