Scrapping the 460, for a 302. What do you think?

[Thudpucker]

I finally got the big 460 running. Licensed, insured and inspected.

It's a gas! What a mover, but boy does it use the Gas.
Too much fuel.
I have a 302/c-6 to put in it's place.
I'm seriously considering it.
What do you think?
What would you do?
What kind of milage does the 302 get?

Everybody has an opinion on this. Let me have it?

[dfisher1]

Thud,
The 302 is a great motor. It usually mounts to a C4? Do you have a small block C6? They are rare and valuable.
The 5.0 L has more toys to bolt on than any other ford motor. I ought to know, I've bought most of them.
Your rear end ratio will determine your mileage. A 3.00:1 will get you about 18 to 20 MPG on the highway with a 31" tall tire. A 3.55:1 will get you about 15.
KingFisher

[Thudpucker]

It's out of an 81 or 82 Fi-150.

The Rear ratio will be the one out of my 77, or from the 82.
I dont have the money to mess around changing that stuff.
This is an emergency measure, to get me a set of wheels, fast!

I'll have to use the Speedo gear for whichever Differential I use.

Also, I think the exhaust headers and pipes will be different.
It looks like I can use my HUGE Radiator from the 460.

I want to make an Antifreeze catch tank as well.

The Motor mount perches might be a problem. I'll just have to compare when I get the engines both out on the ground.

Thanks for the reply. I have a friend with an Injected 302. He gets 18 Mpg always. I love that F.I. This one is carburated though.

[Mike W]

If it is an F-250, you will not be happy with the limited amount of torque that the 302 produces.

[Ford79]

Hey Thud, you can scap that ol' 460/C6 right into my garage!!!

[77'F-150Mudder]

Originally posted by Mike W
If it is an F-250, you will not be happy with the limited amount of torque that the 302 produces.

I second that remark. The 302 is good in cars and not really designed with trucks in mind.

You could probably buy six months or more of gas for the 460 with what it would cost you to swap in the 302.

[Thudpucker]

My first choice was another I-6. I've had three of them, in F-150 4x4's and liked them all.

The 302 just happend quick and cheaply. I'tl do till I can get my Diesel running again.

My I-6 in a 78 F-150 4x4 pulled a 30' boat on a tandem axle trailer over mountains. It was slow going up those steep hills, but went fine on the flat.
It got 13 Mpg all the time.
I'm hoping this 302 will do a little better, but if not, I may put the 460 back in. That's a one day swap!
If I have to settle for the price of low fuel milage, I might as well have the power.


...and 79, I mighta made ya a deal there, but at the last minute my poverty background took over and I decided to keep everything I have.

Thanks for all your inputs. I start the swap in a couple of days.

[Superdave]

Thudpucker, What carburetor are you running? Is the engine in a good state of tune? My 82 3/4 ton 4x4 averages 11 mpg with the 460.

If your 460 is running fine, I would leave it right where it sets. Thats just my opinion.

[jimlj]

IMHO, I'd keep the 460. I'd bet you will see a minimal increase in fuel economy and a BIG decrease in driving fun. Try to keep your foot out of the carb, and you should get 10-12 mpg without any problem, maby even better. With the 302, I'll bet you will do good to get 12 mpg with that truck, and cry the blues every time you came to a hill or pass some one. Spend the money it will cost to make the swap on tuning and tweeking the 460, and you'll be happy in the long run.

[dfisher1]

All,
The 302 is a better motor than any 385 family motor.
One of the major problems with a 302 is, bottom end power. This can be easily overcome by use of a stall converter.
I think one of Thuds major problems is going to be drivetrain length. Driveshafts are going to be different lengths. The 302 bolts up to a C4, not a C6. The C4 is shorter.
What about that Thud?
KingFisher

[Thudpucker]

I havent checked the length between the MM Perch and the end of the driveline yet.
We are still trying to figure out what the big water leak under the exhaust manifold on the passenger side head is?

The Transmission is a C-6 though.
Ford put the C-6 with the 300 I-6 or the 302 and mayby some others during the early 80's. It's the same engine pattern for both those engines.
There are several C-6 bel patterns, and a few different tail shaft patterns too.
Right now, at a local wrecking yard is a factory 300,I-6/C-6 that only has 40K miles on it. All of it driving around in a Log processing yard at Boise-Cascade's mill in DeRidder LA.

[laptopgeek]

Thudpucker --

Considering my 460 takes $50.00+ TWICE a week to make it to work and the cheapest gasoline I can run now is $1.79 a gallon,
I would take the 302. Who cares if the punk in the baseball cap next to you beats you to the next redlight? If you need torque for hauling horses the 460 has got everything beat, hands down...

[dfisher1]

Thud,
I don't know about you but, I don't haul horses everyday. I do haul ass though! I do it with a five litre. My bottom end is weak compared to a big block but my top end is as competive with 100 lbs less to worry about. I don't wear out tires and breaks as fast, and parts are as common as rain in Florida.
My 302 is not stock, not even close. I guess that is what the discrepency is about. Whatever?
As for punks in baseball caps, I couldn't tell you.
KingFisher

[Torque1st]

The cost of the miscellaneous parts for the conversion will probably never be recovered with the gas mileage difference.

-Just my penneys worth.

[78RangerXLT]

hey man, I couldn't help but notice that you were from DeRidder, La. Im in Kinder just down the road, post back Id like to get in touch with you and see your truck. Im 17 and go to KHS