I have been a lurker and reader for some time. I have owned numerous F150's over the years, 79, 83, 96, and a 99. (351's and 300/6's) I got stupid a year ago, sold my 83 4x4 short box which was almost completely restored. I found a (jeep) and thought it would make a great hunting rig. Never owned a jeep and at my age should have known better! Well after a year, and a continuous sore back, and a money pit the jeep has become, I am trying to sell it and looking for a 81-84 f150, short box manual, 4x4. I am finding quite a few later 80's to early 90's with 302's. I have never owned a 302. Can you guys give an old fart an unbiased oppinion about a 302? I dearly loved the 300, and am even contemplating a swap, 302 to the 300. Do they bolt up?

Thanks from Wyoming

 

300 and 302 use the same bellhousing pattern and same clutch, but little else is a simple swap. Nearly everything between the radiator support and trans is different. Radiator, motor mounts/perches, flywheel, engine wiring harness and ECU (when equipped) all differ.

 

Any experience with a 302 Rogue?

 

Been more than 25 years since I owned a 302 powered truck. I was 16, it lasted more than 4 years with my careless driving, and still ran when I sold it. Prolly why I still drive Ford trucks today.....

 

I've owned more than one copy of both. I'll be in the minority on here, but I prefer the 302. I have one in my current daily driver. It's not going to be a great work engine, but will get out of its own way as opposed to the 300 which will pull like crazy but is a dog. My experience also has been that I get slightly better mileage with the 302s, but that's probably because my foot was always denting the floor on my 300s trying to get them to go. Wulff covered the challenges of doing a swap pretty well.

 

I had an '84 with 300 I6 years ago, and now have an '86 with 302. I prefer the 300. It seemed to pull better and I think they have more torque. They are easier to work on. And the 300 doesn't even have a timing chain or belt to slip/break--it is direct gears controlling the timing. I don't know why Ford quit making them. My '84 went 225,000 miles on that engine.

Rick

 

I'll share my opinionated opinion- get the six.
i have an '84, and I love it. Decent mileage, dependable, and easy to work on.
I doubt you could go wrong with either, though.

 

I loved the 300, but I am having a tough time finding a decent truck with one in it. So the swap came to mind, many with the 302 are worn out and I would need a rebuild, so I thought throw in a 300, but maybe not to easy. I will keep searching the net, gives me some thing to do since it is so dang cold out!

 

the 300 has the low end torque down and is very easy to work on hell i can get my fat a$$ down inside the hood lol.but the 302 has that sweet v-8 sound and makes pretty good power its self.so in the end its all in what you like or want