New to the site. doing a 302 swap soon

[nbaisden]

Hey everyone. I am glad i found this site!!! I am going to be putting a 302ci engine in my ranger. I found this awesome kit on the internet that comes with a lot of the stuff i will need. It is from Allstar performance and it comes with a aluminum 4-core radiator, motor mounts, oil pan to fit my chassis, oil filter relocation kit, and custom headers to fit the truck as well. Besides and ignition system(which i plan on going with an MSD) what else will i need? I also plan on going with a C4 automatic transmission.....

anything else i need to know before i start? i have a few months before i am i ready.....i am still working on getting the engine built up and ready. As far as wiring goes, can i just hook up my own start button? And i also plan on making and putting in an all new gauge cluster.

OK, ill stop rambling for now. let me know what kind of input you guys have....thanks!

Nick

 

[okietheranger]

why dont u hook it up to the key? why use a push button?

 

[nbaisden]

i just figured it would be easier to go with a button..

 

[Psychopete]

As far as wiring goes, can i just hook up my own start button? And i also plan on making and putting in an all new gauge cluster.

You can do whatever you want. As far as it being easier with a button, it depends how you look at it. To bypass the neutral safety switch, yes. To retain it, no. I would HIGHLY recommend retaining it. The NSS is something you'll have to figure out, a lot of aftermarket shifters have provisions for reverse lights and neutral safefy switch. I am just going to use the original NSS switch on my AOD.

You will need a good wiring specific diagram. This is good to have to confirm or research what each dash wire does for the new cluster. Me and my dad went through the whole circuit on the back of the old cluster and verified our results against wiring specific diagrams. I have all of it documented for my '88.

I ran into a few issues with making a new cluster. One being a quick way to connect and disconnect the new cluster. I used a 24 pin ATX power supply extension (actually two to make sure I had enough wiring). This way when i take it out, unhook 1 plug and disconnect the speedometer. With an autometer gauge, I ended up using a Lokar speedometer cable that you cut to length - I am using an AOD because I wanted OD. The wiring for the dash is soldered and shrink wrapped to the OEM wiring. I left enough to put it back if need be. Cleaned up pretty nice with some tie straps.

The power is a little funny, there is a 5 volt voltage regulator that appears to power the fuel level, oil pressure, and water temp. The source for the regulator was the only 12v hot I could find and it ran through resistor wire. I lucked out and found a partial circuit in the fuse panel for power windows and doors (which my truck never had). I used power from there for my ignition module and dash gauges.

There's not much room in there for much, I intended to install 6 gauges, but only had room for 5. Dropped the voltage gauge as I felt this was the least important. The middle heater vent will also give you some greif. I had thought about cutting it out and blocking it off, but I simply made a block off plate for it and let it be.

It doesn't need to be done the way I stated, but that's just what I ended up doing.

Pete

 

[nbaisden]

awesome. thanks Psychopete. some of that was greek to me, but i think i get the gist. i also think the main thing i may have going for me is putting an MSD ignition unit in it. that way i can start fresh with all the wiring, and the engine going in it will be carburetor injection. so that should cut down on a ton of wiring..... my ranger is an 86/2WD. i plan on making it more of a street rod...

 

[mikepotts]

carb injection....

are you refering to a throttle body injection system?

 

[nbaisden]

no, I'm talking about a carburetor....... i want to make things as simple as possible. i am good with the engine side of the house. but when it comes to wiring, that's where i think i will run into problems... This is why i want to start fresh with a aftermarket ignition system, and i think i am may be able to manage wiring the key in and everything. The main thing i am worried about is the gauges and wiring up the alternator correctly...... i have heard i can use the same alternator and power steering pump from the 2.9L

 

[mikepotts]

alt should be a bolt on, ps pump will have to press the pulley off to change the bracket, but yes it will work too.

 

[nbaisden]

Cool, thanks.