i want to swap my 302 out of my 96 f-150 and put a 351w in it. my question is that since its a 96 it is obd2 and i was wonderin that if i got a 351 out of a 96 or 97 ford truck will the 302 computer be able to run the 351 or will i need the 351 computer out of the truck i pull it from. i think i will need the 351 computer because of fuel trim problems but im not sure and i wanted to see what u guys thought
-or can i just use an obd1 351 motor in my truck and eliminate the obd2 computer!

thanks guys

 

No need for a computer change, it will adapt to the motor. I have had both motors in my truck on a 302 computer just in case you're wondering, the 5.8 ran beautifully.

 

alright thanks a lot, cuz i thought i would half to swap the computers
-and i guess it doesnt matter what 351 i get as long as its between like 91-97 for the computer ****? or does it half to be a 96 or 97.

 

No it doesn't matter, the later motors have a roller cam and make a bit more power, but all of them would benefit from a cam upgrade anyway.

 

cool man, thanks

 

actually i think it does matter what year motor. the reason i say this is the bronco only got obd-II in 96 and was no longer produced. because its obd-II it wont have a smog pump, it will have a crank shaft trigger that talks to the dizzy etc.. if you want this to be a painless swap i suggest you locate a 96 5.8 from either an F150 or Bronco. anything earlier wont have what you need nor will the 97 5.8 out of an F250/350 because those were also Speed Density. only the harness & computer from the 5.0 will carry over to the 5.8 even for that year.

 

yea i mean i figured it would be more difficult than i thought im still gunna do it i just need to be more picky with what i choose for motors and what truck they come out of, its always good to stick with the same year, but just seeing what yous thought

thanks guys

 

I'm sure a crank trigger and balancer from a '96 5.8 would mount on an older motor though...

 

perhaps, just not sure what amount of work would be involved.

finding a complete motor from oil pan to upper intake is really the way to go. even if it has 100k miles or less your still in good shape in my mind.

 

Hey maybe you guys can solve a dispute for me and my brother. He owns a 90 with a 351, and I own a 95 with 302 and a 5 speed. My motor is whipped i can turn the crankshaft pulley by hand with ease and it has started to gush fluids so on my last excursion to the scrap yard i found a 91 F-250 with a 351w and the ZF-42 5speed the owner said for $500 i could have it all. The motor runs strong with no leaks and no smoke. My question is will it be a straight across swap or are the computers different due to the change to the MAP sensor?

 

The biggest thing you need to worry with is the firing order, which should be the same. The MAP sensor shouldn't cause any problems. If you leave the 351 stock, the stock 302 ECM will be sufficient.

 

I have a 1990 F-150 4x4 automatic. It has a stock 5.0 302 fuel injected v8, but it's trashed... Now I need an engine and want to know my options, including what size-year (example 1991 302? Or 1989 5.8?) Anything from a 302 and up. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

You can use a 302 or 351W from '87-'96 and probably even earlier years. The stock ECM will handle a 351W if you are keeping the engine stock or very near stock.

 

i am also looking for a 351w motor for my 1996... it sounds like i have to get a 1996 351? what is involved to get a older 351 working ?

 

Ford made some changes that apply to only the 1996 model year. The one that I remember the most is the misfire sensor. If you find a '96 351 truck, you could swap the parts easily. I didn't have that luxury, in fact, I didn't even know about the sensor until I discovered it halfway thru the swap. I had some custom machining done to my aftermarket balancer to accept the tone ring for the misfire sensor. If you go this route you could use any year 351W providing that it has the same firing order as the 302 that was in the truck. Which it should be since Ford changed the 302 firing order to the same as the 351 in the later model years.