8-Cylinder Tech If you are one of the few with a V8 engine in your Ranger, or if you dream of a Ranger with a V8 engine, this is the sub-forum for you.

302 thread... Specs, years, ignitions, you name it

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-24-2009
zabeard's Avatar
who?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IN
Posts: 26,044
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
302 thread... Specs, years, ignitions, you name it

Ok here is the deal. I want to see if I can do a budget build on a 302. Now when I say 302 I dont mean the explorer 302.

I want to go older. I need info, years and specs.

I want to just get the 302, fuel injected. Run an aftermarket PCM/timming and wiring.

I want to run something like a C4 and a manual 1356 transfercase.

So back to the engine, whats out there? Where should I start. This is just an information thread so I know what I need to get.

Any opinions welcome
 
  #2  
Old 01-24-2009
OVERtheEDGE's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: locust grove georgia
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by zabeard
Ok here is the deal. I want to see if I can do a budget build on a 302. Now when I say 302 I dont mean the explorer 302.

I want to go older. I need info, years and specs.

I want to just get the 302, fuel injected. Run an aftermarket PCM/timming and wiring.

I want to run something like a C4 and a manual 1356 transfercase.

So back to the engine, whats out there? Where should I start. This is just an information thread so I know what I need to get.

Any opinions welcome
if your looking on info on an old ford 302 my buddy built one his self and its just sitting in a shop right now unfortunately. anyways he built it to a 347 so its had some time put in it. what do you want to know? if you want to just by the motor he might actually sell it for not too much. i believe the truck he had it in also has c4 tranny sitting in it which he would probably also sell. but if you want info on any of that let me know or any specific info on the 302s. ill ask him what ever you need to know.
 
  #3  
Old 01-24-2009
Sixt9coug's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Norwalk, CA
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
well, EFI is 85 and up with the Mustangs and 87(California) and 88 on up for MAF cars. They are easier to mod.

Those Mustang engines were HO Roller cam models and a better bet. Lincoln LSC models were also HO roller cam models. Those were the Mark VII cars. All of the Lincolns were AOD models, Mustangs came with T-5s in addition to the AOD. A C4 flywheel will bolt up, just get it balanced properly. That flywheel should be a breeze to find. 92 i think was the first year of cast pistons. 85-91 had forged pistons in the HO motors. Chances are you might rebuild it anyway, but at least its a good starting point.

If you want to go even older, be aware that the 68 and 69 models had a different balancer arrangement and that in 78 or 81 they changed the balance from a 28.8 oz balance to a 50 oz. Flywheels would be different for that, but there are tons of aftermarket ones for those models that will fit.

I know this is all kind of generic info that you might already know, but i thought id throw it out there.
 
  #4  
Old 01-24-2009
zabeard's Avatar
who?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IN
Posts: 26,044
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Thanks for the offer Matt, but I want to learn this and do it all myself. Or all that I am able to do because of tools.

Steve good info. I want 87 and newer I know. I want MAF and O2, with fuel injection
 
  #5  
Old 01-24-2009
mazda98's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: dalton,ga.
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
  #6  
Old 01-24-2009
sniper_101's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sask, Canada
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
You want older . . . but you want EFI?

I'm not sure I understand, most of the best "junkyard" power parts for a 5.0 come from an Explorer GT40 motor, equaling your best Bang for your Buck. You get into the Speed Density years and you'll have a limited amount of mods before you convert to Mass Air, once you're mass air, GT40 intakes and GT40 heads are your best OEM part for cheap power.

What are you planning on allowing for a budget? Heads (OEM, aftermarket Iron or Alum)? Intake (OEM looking, RPM specific tuned)? Pistons (power adders in the future)? Bottom End (stroked, power adder, stock)? Injection System (OEM EFI or fully aftermarket wideband system)?

I would love to be of any help possible, if you can provide a few specifics for us to narrow down your best choices.
 
  #7  
Old 01-24-2009
zabeard's Avatar
who?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IN
Posts: 26,044
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
well I dont want to run a 4R70W transmission. I want something stout. I want to build it once then be done. Maybe the 4r70W will work fine idk.

I just dont want to deal with the stuff involved on the explorer platform. not to mention I am screwed on the VSS with the explorer platform
 
  #8  
Old 01-25-2009
mazda98's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: dalton,ga.
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
on the link above that i posted,that guy tim took a stang motor and put it in an ex,i found the info in that thread to be very helpfull
 
  #9  
Old 01-25-2009
OVERtheEDGE's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: locust grove georgia
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by zabeard
Thanks for the offer Matt, but I want to learn this and do it all myself. Or all that I am able to do because of tools.

Steve good info. I want 87 and newer I know. I want MAF and O2, with fuel injection
no problem. well if you want any specific information i just gotta make a phone call. i got no problem helping anyone out on here because I've learned alot from the site.
 
  #10  
Old 01-25-2009
JoshK's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CC, Indiana
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
cough 6.0 cough
 
  #11  
Old 01-25-2009
Sixt9coug's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Norwalk, CA
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
You if you want to avoid the Explorer engines its enough to get a set of GT40P heads and just slap them on an earlier block. IIRC GT40P heads have an oddball plug arrangement and require special headers so you still have plug access. I dont know if this is an issue with the Ranger swaps, but it is with the older Cougar/Mustang guys that do it.

Personally, get a roller MAF 5.0L block with forged pistons and some AFR 165cc heads and it should be a stout engine with good power and torque.
 
  #12  
Old 01-25-2009
zabeard's Avatar
who?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IN
Posts: 26,044
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Wat year could I get that out of Steve? maybe you mentioned it earlier.
 
  #13  
Old 01-25-2009
INT3RC3PTOR's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Minnesooooota
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
early 90's stangs i think Zack..i'm not sure though

the 4R70W is a very strong trany when slightly built. Is the 4.0 s/c'd not enough zack? I know the V8 sounds like an awesome idea, you get the sound and some power..but really compared to your s/c'd 4.0 its not going to really be any different.
 
  #14  
Old 01-25-2009
justinjc1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Kaplan La
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
how about s/c 5.0 that would be awesome.
 
  #15  
Old 01-25-2009
My91Ranger's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Roseville, Michigan
Posts: 2,254
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Zach, the HO roller motors out of the mustang offered the forged pistons for sure in 91 and 92, in 93 they turned to hyper-eutectic, which is not ideal. As mentioned before the Lincolns are a great place to get the motor from, usually not as abused as a mustang, and the same basic engine.

Any reason for running aftermarket PCM and wiring? And what PCM/Wiring do you have in mind.

The C4 can be built to no end. They are some tough transmissions.
 
  #16  
Old 01-25-2009
zabeard's Avatar
who?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IN
Posts: 26,044
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
I just want it clean. I probably wont supercharge it but who knows what may happen.

Andy, the blown 4.0 makes good power but at the wrong RPM band for what i need. this would be a killer setup for a street truck, not so much on a wheeler.
 
  #17  
Old 01-25-2009
Alex98's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 949
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
exactly the 4.0 sohc likes to run in a higher powerband ohc engines arent as powerful as ohv engines if you work them right, for example the hemi is an ohv always has been always will be prolly, anyway but it stands on its own agaisnt the toyota i-force which is a dohc and they have similar power bands. you want low end torque with a nice long powerband where it tops off making good hp
 
  #18  
Old 01-25-2009
INT3RC3PTOR's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Minnesooooota
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
yeah i understand, if you were flying through mud like the southern guys in high rpm, it might be ok. but low end torque is what your trying to get, for crawln around
 
  #19  
Old 01-25-2009
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Coal Region, MTC to be exact...heart of the coal region.
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by zabeard
Ok here is the deal. I want to see if I can do a budget build on a 302. Now when I say 302 I dont mean the explorer 302.

I want to go older. I need info, years and specs.

I want to just get the 302, fuel injected. Run an aftermarket PCM/timming and wiring.

I want to run something like a C4 and a manual 1356 transfercase.

So back to the engine, whats out there? Where should I start. This is just an information thread so I know what I need to get.

Any opinions welcome
85-95 f-series and broncos had EFI, 85-86 had E6 heads not so good for power. all others had E7s not much better but better than E6. to run a 4R70W u'd need a stand alone computer from someone like bauhman anyway.
 
  #20  
Old 01-25-2009
zabeard's Avatar
who?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IN
Posts: 26,044
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
oh i cant run a $r70W because I dont have a VSS source for the explorer PCM.
 
  #21  
Old 01-25-2009
zabeard's Avatar
who?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IN
Posts: 26,044
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
this wont be a instant thing. I want to take my time, maybe do it next winter.
 
  #22  
Old 01-25-2009
zabeard's Avatar
who?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IN
Posts: 26,044
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
  #23  
Old 01-25-2009
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
i wish i could give my opinion but you dont like it lol
 
  #24  
Old 01-25-2009
zabeard's Avatar
who?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IN
Posts: 26,044
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Originally Posted by Redneckstone
i wish i could give my opinion but you dont like it lol
spit it out again... i dont remember it.
 
  #25  
Old 01-25-2009
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
well my norm is 5.0L I'll revise a little... now tho


Built 351w with a Zf and T-case offroad carb ( i know you boys are all EFI lol)
 


Quick Reply: 302 thread... Specs, years, ignitions, you name it



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:27 AM.