As stated in another thread I just purchased a 1981 F150 converted to a wood flat bed. Turns out #7 exhaust lobe is flat. It only has 98000 mi and when I pulled intake it is very clean inside and shows no metal residue so no idea what happened to the lobe. So it needs a cam and kit,timing chain, and would prob put in oil pump and water pump at the very least, plus prob should pull that head.. might as well do total rebuild at that point and would still have the 81 heads...
My question right now is would it be better to swap in a 90 F150 302. If we leave out the EFI part wouldn't the 90 have better heads, block, pistons.. not sure about stock cam? Right now I am thinking A duel plane aluminum manifold and a street demon carb with with either engine. Where am I going wrong? Thanks for all replies!
ps. I do have a DiY MegaSquirt that should work well with EFI later.

 

I see it reads like I might have my mind made up,but really would appreciate all opinions . And some long tube headers should be on to do list. Thanks

 

Conanski is da man on the SBF, so maybe he will stop by. I note the HP/TQ rating in '81 was 135/243, and '90 with MPFI was 185/270. That has to be a bit of compression, heads, cam, not just the MPFI.

Is the '90 a roller motor?

I know later model Explorer heads work well on engines like this.

Headers are always good--buy good ones.

 

As far as good headers, what would be some good ones? I was looking at DOUGS tri-y but the application said for 4 wheel drive. I am new to Ford trucks, why not 2 wheel drive also? I know I need torque , and I am open to any brand. Intake manifold and carb suggestions would be helpful also. Thanks

 

The '81 was a low compression smog era motor so yea the '90 would have more compression and better heads, but it will still have a rather small flat tappet cam that should get swapped out and with that done there is potential for up to 275hp/350tq depending on cam specs. Swap on GT40 heads and you could see 330hp or more with no other changes. Also note the '90 truck motor will be roller ready meaning a factory roller cam setup will drop right in and that will eliminate the potential for wiping out another cam.

 

Thanks Conanski, what cam # should I look for? I noticed a Procomp pc4001 intake recommended in a thread , any thoughts.. Any specific headers you would recommend?
I really appreciate everyone's help. I have no experience with Fords and it is taking some time to understand them.

 

A factory 5.0HO or Explorer cam would do a good job and be pretty cheap to buy used. If you're looking at an aftermarket cam something like the Magnum 35-410-8 would do.

 

Thanks Paul, 275 sounds good, 330 sounds great but will have to wait while I sell one or two SBC. I have just what I need only don't match up well with 81 F150. Ha

 

I prob can't get gt40 heads right now , but would like to get in future. I have read something about flange - spark plug problems. What would you recommend to work with either head?
I also would like ideas on intake. I have seen recommendations for procomp 4001 in this forum,and also Weiand stealth. Thanks

 

GT40 heads are no issue at all, it's only the GT40p that has the radical spark plug angle that makes fitting headers a challenge... though not impossible either. I'm no carb guy but the Stealth I see recommended a lot.

 

Thanks , I remember gt40p now, just didn't know what it meant. Is there some Ford build book that is recommended?

 

Yes there is..

 

Thanks Paul, will get it ordered.