Motor Swap
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 350
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From: Spartanburg, SC
Motor Swap
I'm considering pulling the carbuerated factory 300 and installing a 302FI motor in my 86 F150 4x4, one for better fuel efficiency, and two, I don't haul or pull anything, its my daily driver. I think an EFI motor would be more efficient and give better fuel economy in the day-to-day drive, but looking for opinions.
My tranny is a 4 speed. Any issues with mating up a 302 to a four speed, possibly the bell housing? Would an AOD be a better fit?
The 302's are everywhere and I can get one for $200 with the computer. I'm just thinking out loud...
My tranny is a 4 speed. Any issues with mating up a 302 to a four speed, possibly the bell housing? Would an AOD be a better fit?
The 302's are everywhere and I can get one for $200 with the computer. I'm just thinking out loud...
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Spartanburg, SC
What makes you say that? In searching through the forums, I've found several that have gone either from the 300 to a 302, or from a 302 to a 300. Not a lot of explanation on the difficulty, but it seems if they are doing it that often, it couldn't be too bad.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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The hardest part to find are the frame perches. LMC are the only one's i've found selling htem new and they are $100 / each. Or you can pull a motor out of a JY truck to get them.
Mine went in nice an easy, and typical things need changed. Radiator, hoses, etc.
I was able to reuse my 300 power steering pump and attached bracket with the 302 block side bracket.
Use 302 alternator bracket.
Mine went in nice an easy, and typical things need changed. Radiator, hoses, etc.
I was able to reuse my 300 power steering pump and attached bracket with the 302 block side bracket.
Use 302 alternator bracket.
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From: Virginia
Could it be done? Sure. Is it worth the trouble? I don't think so. You have weigh out what you are doing and if you are going to be capable of doing it for a reasonable cost in a reasonable amount of time, and have confidence in it when you are done. If you want EFI, I would get a later model truck with EFI already in it.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: San Diego
SNL "Jizzed in my pants" comes to mind here...
X2 what he said. I did a 302 to 300 swap, it took me two weeks and a $1000 on top of my rebuild costs to do the swap (and I had some of the parts ahead of time).
The 302 motor perches are riveted in and are not present in trucks that came with a 300. So much easier and probably cheaper to get one stock.
The "EFI" part is the deal breaker in my opinion. Yes you can easily bolt a 302 engine in place, but what about the wires, the fuel lines, the fuel tanks, the electric fuel pumps?
Could it be done? Sure. Is it worth the trouble? I don't think so. You have weigh out what you are doing and if you are going to be capable of doing it for a reasonable cost in a reasonable amount of time, and have confidence in it when you are done. If you want EFI, I would get a later model truck with EFI already in it.
Could it be done? Sure. Is it worth the trouble? I don't think so. You have weigh out what you are doing and if you are going to be capable of doing it for a reasonable cost in a reasonable amount of time, and have confidence in it when you are done. If you want EFI, I would get a later model truck with EFI already in it.
X2 what he said. I did a 302 to 300 swap, it took me two weeks and a $1000 on top of my rebuild costs to do the swap (and I had some of the parts ahead of time).
The 302 motor perches are riveted in and are not present in trucks that came with a 300. So much easier and probably cheaper to get one stock.
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From: San Diego
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Post Fiend
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From: Lost
A carbed 302 would be less difficult than EFI to swap. In the end, I think you would be very unhappy with the end result.
The 302 wouldn't have much more power, nor get much (if any) better MPG.
As for the 4 speed vs AOD, I wouldn't put an AOD in place of any other trans, even the rather weak 4 speed OD that's almost as hated as the AOD. Especially in a 4wd, as you would need different front and rear driveshafts, since the AOD is a bit longer than the manual transmissions or C6 that were available in these year models.
The 302 wouldn't have much more power, nor get much (if any) better MPG.
As for the 4 speed vs AOD, I wouldn't put an AOD in place of any other trans, even the rather weak 4 speed OD that's almost as hated as the AOD. Especially in a 4wd, as you would need different front and rear driveshafts, since the AOD is a bit longer than the manual transmissions or C6 that were available in these year models.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Spartanburg, SC
I guess I'm a little unhappy right now with the 300 because I can't get it to run right. A lot of that is my lack of knowledge or skill in the automotive department, but it just doesn't seem to run like it should. I don't know, maybe I need to give in and take it to someone that can make it run right.
I performed the Duraspark II conversion, then replaced the fuel tank, sending unit, and fuel pump only to have it run like crap! I'm not sure if there was something in the new fuel tank that is working its way through the system, but it misses and spits and spudders at idle and sometimes under load. I added a can of Seafoam this afternoon and was planning to run a tank through it to see if it stops, its just pissing me off right now.
I performed the Duraspark II conversion, then replaced the fuel tank, sending unit, and fuel pump only to have it run like crap! I'm not sure if there was something in the new fuel tank that is working its way through the system, but it misses and spits and spudders at idle and sometimes under load. I added a can of Seafoam this afternoon and was planning to run a tank through it to see if it stops, its just pissing me off right now.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: McMinnville, TN
I have the 5.0EFI with AOD. It was exactly what I wanted when I got it years ago, but now it kinda sucks. I feel like it's a big car with a huge trunk. The engine feels too small and the trans seems too weak to be used in a truck. I've been pretty happy with the multiport FI, though. However, as my automotive knowledge has grown, I feel that I could get more than acceptable results from a carb. However, it's your truck. In the long run I think that you would be best off working with what you have. And if you're really concerned with gas mileage, you could get a little car or something for work.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: copperas cove tx
I agree I got my carbed 460 and drive 60 miles a day. I pay $50 every 2 days for gas. I still wouldnt trade it for anythin because I know itll run and when it stops I can fix it myself. Get that I6 to run the way you want and that will be the end of your desire to convert I bet.
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From: East Tennessee
A 5.0 EFI would feel a whole lot more peppy but if the wiring is too much to do with reasonable cost then I would look into getting yours running right. You can't beat the mpg of a good running carbureted 300 6 and they are nearly bulletproof. But so is the 302. Imo I. Would keep what you have unless you do go with the fi 302. Plus efi starts the first crank everytime.. 120f or -20f and will drivesmooth immediately.
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From: Spartanburg, SC
Being that it is my daily driver, I'm doing everything I can to get it running right and make it reliable. I'm probably going to stick with the 300 just because it does run great when its running right. Thanks for all of the advise and input. I'm going to see if I can figure out my issue this weekend and if not, it's going to the shop.
I'm going to start by replacing the fuel line from the tank to the pump and also replacing the fuel filter. I'll see if that straitens things out and if not, I'll do another fuel pump. I don't think the sending unit is it, but that will be last.
I'm going to start by replacing the fuel line from the tank to the pump and also replacing the fuel filter. I'll see if that straitens things out and if not, I'll do another fuel pump. I don't think the sending unit is it, but that will be last.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
I guess I'm a little unhappy right now with the 300 because I can't get it to run right. A lot of that is my lack of knowledge or skill in the automotive department, but it just doesn't seem to run like it should. I don't know, maybe I need to give in and take it to someone that can make it run right.
