1977-79 302 ok for Ranger swap?

[35Remmy]

Hey guys, I found a 1977-79 302 (not certain of the year yet) with 45,000 original miles in a Thunderbird. The guy only wants 200$ for the motor and it still runs strong.

I want this engine to start my 302 swap for my '88 4WD Ranger. Does it matter that this 302 is from the 70's, besides smog crap? I like the fact that it's carb'd, much easier than dealing with harnesses. Thanks!!!

 

[1mean02hd]

Well if its from the 70s, it'll be a torque motor for sure. It probably only makes like 150 hp.

 

[35Remmy]

According to various websites, it makes 210HP. Besides a different cam/roller setup on the later 5.0's, I can't find any real differences. Can you enlighten me?! I don't want to buy this thing and end up dumping tons of $$ into it to make any power. My plans were AGR 165 heads, MOST importantly, and a solid intake/carb.

 

[ChrisR1S]

From the Book i have infront of me: (HIGH PERFORMANCE Ford Engine Parts Interchange by George Reid)

1978-79 302:
139HP@3600RPM & 250FT/LB @1600RPM (2v)

So ok in the torque dept. but lacking hp. Of course as you prob know, its a non-roller block. Adding a decent intake, heads, and cam package should get you to a happy medium. Heck, even just a good set of heads will help tons on that motor. What do you want out of the motor?

 

[35Remmy]

Chris, my aim is between 300-325hp.

 

[Tony Raine]

that 302, stock, is gonna haul ass compared to a 2.9

as long as you don't have inspections, you are good to go.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Chris, my aim is between 300-325hp.

For those #'s I think it might be better to go with a later roller block.

If you are just going to plug it in and run it stock, it would be fine, but by the time you get to where you want to get, you might as well start with something that is over 200hp stock. And you could have the option of running EFI too.

 

[84 5.0]

I'm running a 78 block in mine. That's what I had available at the time. It has a standard short block build (.030 over, flat top pistons, arp fasteners...), 284 dur. .512 lift cam, ported GT40p's with 1.7 rr, performer rpm intake with an AED 650dp carb. Never had it dyno'd but I am very satified with it, I would guess it to be around 250-260hp +/- . Definatley good enough to outrun a stock 225hp stang, atleast up to 100mph. One thing to think about is the pre HO's are balanced at 28oz instead of 50oz, I have a T-5 in mine right now and had to buy the Ford Racing flywheel(kinda pricey) to run a mustang clutch. Don't know if any of that helps, but you can have a very strong motor from the older blocks. If I was building another one I would probably go with the roller though, as long as you carb it you still won't have to deal with the harness.

 

[35Remmy]

Thanks a lot for the replies, guys. In New York State, anything older than a '96 is exempt from emissions inspections, so a carb'd 302 would work. After looking on craigslist, I think that I'll look for a roller HO 302 as their are many available. Many are already somewhat built for under a grand.

The thing that scares me is using a fuel injected 302 and the wiring harness that I have to use to make it work. I have no idea how this would work with my old '88 computer system. How the heck and where do all of the connections on a 302 harness work with my '88?!!!.

 

[35Remmy]

84 5.0, do you know where Poffenbaugh Ford is? I used to work there. I graduated from St. Cloud HS in '98. They say Texas sells more Ford trucks than any other state in the country...I'd have to say that Florida must be #2 then, heh. It's definately Ford country down there!!! I miss it greatly.

 

[84 5.0]

Yeah, down on 192, it's growin fast down there. I went by there over the weekend on my way to west lake. It's alot different than NY I'm sure, but you got a lot bigger deer up there.

 

[baddad457]

Hey guys, I found a 1977-79 302 (not certain of the year yet) with 45,000 original miles in a Thunderbird. The guy only wants 200$ for the motor and it still runs strong.

I want this engine to start my 302 swap for my '88 4WD Ranger. Does it matter that this 302 is from the 70's, besides smog crap? I like the fact that it's carb'd, much easier than dealing with harnesses. Thanks!!!

If that's the correct year info, it'll have flat topped pistons. All it needs is to replace the heads, cam and intake. The stock heads had huge 70 cc chambers and a 9 to 1 comp ratio. Just going with 58 cc heads will boost the comp ratio into the 10's. Choose your cam wisely. You will also need a rear sump fox body oil pan for the swap. And if you're lucky, that block will be a heavy weight D8VE casting.

 

[DisturbedMXer8]

Just to add to the Horsepower convo.
The engines we build at my school are mid 70's 350 small block Chevy engines (carbureted, vacuum advance distributors). I can't remember what we ended up with for our cam, but we had APR heads, long tube headers, 750 Holley carb, and the Cam we had was huge. We were able to pump 365 horse and around 340 or so torque out of that engine with just a Cam, Heads, Carb, and headers. I know someone who did 399.6 HP on the same mods with a slightly larger cam. We were doing around 450 with Nos. We dyno'd it about 5 times and ended up with our best horsepower at 43 degrees base timing.

My point? I'm sure you could get a mid 70's 302 to well over 300 horse. Just depends on what kind of engine you want (we went with high range HP, obviously), and how much cash you're willing to spend.

Also, we were using GM engines. So you could probably beat our 350's with a well tuned 302 =].