I have been shopping around for an early 90's, late 80's F150. Found a bunch, but so many of them have pretty high miles on them.

So, I was wondering what perils might I encounter trying to drop in a 2010 302 into one.

I've done one engine swap in my life, but that was a 360 Ambassador station wagon into a 343 Javelin back in about 1979. (I loved that car)
Anyway, that was pretty much a unbolt, disconnect, remove, install, reconnect, bolt up kind of change.

I guess what I'm trying to find is a the newest engine that I can swap fairly easily.

Any ideas?

 

I'm short terms , that's gonna be a crap ton of money and time. Just get a rebuilt engine from the 90s or 80s.

 

302s weren't made after 1996-7 it would be a modular not worth the effort in my opinion different bell housing different motor mounts different electronics it's possible though

 

...'mmmmmmm

 

It's still a modular engine but now I see where the confusion is

 

^lolol yea I read your post to fast and didn't see the modular part

 

as said just get yourself a rebuilt long block and be thousands of $$$$$$$$$$$ ahead

 

Not to mention the months of fabricating and McGyvering you won't have to do.

 

Honestly for the amount of money it would take alone just to make a modular 5.0 work in your truck you could build a small block engine with efi for ALLOT LESS, pumping out the same if not better numbers than a stock Modular 5.0.

 

I won't discourage you if you really want that modular 302. But do be aware you'll need a trans that will fit it, which means engine + trans swap and then driveshafts will need to be reworked to fit as well.

Motor mounts of course are different. Might or might not have clearance issues with the firewall, exhaust, etc. Remember the mod motors are pretty wide!

You'll also need a standalone engine controller and trans controller if you're going with a slushbox auto. The other choice is to make the factory electronics work BUT they are I think dependent on other modules as well. You will at least need to get the security system working, part of which is integrated in the PCM.

 

Pushrod 302s were actually made until 2001 for the Explorers, but the later model Explorers have the GT40P heads that would need to be switched out for the truck 302 manifolds to fit

 

Just do a mild build on a 302/351. Be care of buying a truck that's a speed density truck if you really want to get into the motor, or be ready to do a MAF swap (MAF, 9AL computer, etc), or be ready to go carb. Then, if you still don't have enough "seat of the pants" feel, re-gear it. If you find a zf5 truck, you won't completely kill gas mileage either. 4.10's, mild built 302, zf5, and I think you'll be very happy.

 

To build on what I just said, if you truly want the newest motor you can get that will just "drop" in would be any of the windsor based 302/351. As stated above, 2001 was the last year for it to come factory, but you will probably need to swap heads.

 

I agree the cost of an older 302 being cheaper than a modular 5.0L, but you know of a 302 that has 385+ hp and gets better than 22 MPG in a truck?

 

So, just as I thought, nothing to it.
All I need is...
Basic mechanical skills (can change my own oil).
A fully equipped auto mechanic shop.
And a boatload of money.