I have a chance to buy a decent but needing work 1982 F100 XLT Lariat from a coworker for super cheap. It has a 302 in it. This is a definite fixer-upper. It did have some body rust, but was cut out and had new panels put in to replace. Everything is there and original including the am/fm radio. The only thing missing is one of the rear window panels. Apparently someone cutting grass hit a rock and busted the window panel.

Here's the good:

No rust in floor pans.
Frame is straight.
Bumpers look like new.
Bed is in great condition.
302 (I think the Windsor?) Not sure if that's all that good..
Automatic
AC
Good interior - no cracks in dash.
All original including the original wheels, etc.
Actually runs really good!

The Bad:
Will need to have some sanding and repainting. Was thinking 2 tone baby blue metallic and white pearl metallic.

I also plan on rebuilding the engine even thought it was rebuilt just about 2-3 years ago. I want to get the dog-house cleaned out and the engine painted, so might as well rebuild the engine while I'm at it.

More or less, I was looking for a new project to play around with and work on to restore so I could have what I call a 'Papaw Truck'. My grandpa had a truck when I was little and I would help him work on it all the time. I plan on doing a full restore, but with mods of course. I just want a nice older truck. I'll definitely be posting pics and a full restore thread.

I'll be picking it up next week. I've been google-ing and can't seem to find a good writeup on these trucks. Can someone point me in the right direction?

 

I don't think anyone has ever written a "polished" write up on these trucks. Some people are buying these trucks to fix up, but it's just starting. Most of these trucks are still just used as trucks. As they age they will go up some in value, but I believe the 80-86 years will be slow to go up, the later ones even slower. There were many made, and they are pretty much ordinary models made for work.

That can be a good and bad. Good, these trucks are still cheap. Bad because metal prices are going up a little bit, so the crusher gets a lot of them. And bad because the aftermarket has not stepped in yet with odd parts, there is just not enough demand for them. The parts you can get are usually leftovers bought up by a few companies and resold for a profit.

That engine you have is a pretty good one. It's a little bit small for a truck that is going to do some heavy work, but it gets good fuel mileage, and there is plenty of support and parts for it, since it's the same engine the mustang guys hop up.

 

Thanks Franklin. I really plan to fix-up/restore this truck to use for just joyride driving and the occasional few 2x4's or a sheet of plywood to pick up from the big box stores. It's definitely not ever going to do any heavy work. Just want it to look pretty and run good..

The engine does have a Holley 4 barrel carb. Not sure the rating on it though. I'll know more next week..

 

All 302's are Windsors, as are 255's and 289's, it was the 351 that had different designations according to which block it used (Cleveland, Windsor, Modified). It's commonly being referred to as the 302 Windsor nowadays since the 2011+ Coyote 302 entered production. The 302 is a very reliable engine, and can make decent mileage depending on how you drive. In stock form, it makes nearly the same power as the 351 Windsor, except it makes it at higher RPM, which is why it's not the best in a truck used to haul a lot of weight. If you need the torque down low though, the 351W is nearly a direct swap. Also, I believe 1982 was one of the years you could find a 255 in an F100, which is sometimes mistaken for a 302. Might double check to make sure, though the 255 was a complete DOG.

 

It's definitely a 302. But I'm curious.. Is it a 5.0 engine or 4.x that came with the F100 in 1982? I read that 1982 was the last year that the 302 was put in a F100, then 1983 for the last year of the F100.

 

Car-Part.com lists both the 302(5.0) and the 255(4.2) as being available. They are not the authority on these things, but if you look at some other parts stores and books, and they all list both, you can pretty much conclude they were both available.

That 4bbl carb is definitely not original, unless the whole engine was taken out of another vehicle. Your engine is very near the time they changed the balance of the 302 from 28oz inbalance weight to 50oz inbalance. You need to check and make sure what you have if you do any serious engine work or tranny swapping.

 

The 4bbl carb was aftermarket. The engine is original to the truck and it is the 302.

 

What are the differences between the F100 and F150 during that time? Are they pretty much the same truck?

 

F100 had fewer engine options (3.8 V6, 4.9 I6, 4.2 V8, & 5.0 V8), with a couple of them being F100 only (3.8, 4.2). The F100 also had lighter springs, and in some cases, smaller brakes that also used car wheels (4.5" bolt circle). That's about it for differences. Most other options were offered for either class truck.

 

F100's were also only available in regular cab. 1980 was the last year of the 28oz 302's. You could get a 302 in an '83 F100 as well.

 

5 x 4.5 bolt circle car wheels will not clear the calipers of 1980/83 F100's with the same bolt pattern.

With 5 x 4.5 wheels, the rear brakes are 10" x 2 1/2."

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info guys. Does have me a bit worried about the engine. When I go to look at it/pick it up next week, I'll be checking the intake manifold and probably removing a valve cover to double check the stamp to make sure it's a 302.

 

Heads are interchangeable. 351's are easy to identify, the block is taller and wider. 255's and 302's (and the other Windsors for that matter) share the same block, not sure if casting numbers on the block could tell you much either. Only definitive way to tell is to pop a head off and measure the bore and stroke. Don't let it change your mind though, the 255 was reliable and it'll get you around, just don't expect to get anywhere in a hurry. The good news is, a 302 is direct bolt-n'-go, and the 351 only requires exhaust and accessory modifications. The fact that somebody went through the trouble to add a 4bbl makes me lean toward 302, but I've seen stranger things before.

 

I'm 99.9999% sure it's a 302. I did ask the coworker if he was absolutely sure it was a 302 or if it was a 255. He said it was a 302. His dad bought it used in '84... It's an '82 and he's been around it ever since.. I guess if it does end up a 255 it's more or less just a disappointment to me, especially knowing all the aftermarket options available for the 302.