ford 302 to inline six conversion
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
I've owned both the 300 and the 302, put 175K on the 300 and 225K on the 302. IMO the 302 was the better motor, more guts, better driveablity, got worse MPG tho. The 300 is fine but it's hyped on this site and others as the be-all end-all of Ford truck motors and that was not my experience.
It's not clear what it is that you dont' like about the 300. "guts" and "driveability" are pretty vague terms. I have had both also and though I could easily tell the difference (302 was an automatic) I didn't have a strong preference except that the 300 was a lot better off road. The 302 was more comfortable at higher speeds. (Mine were both short 150s)
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 7
From: Des Moines, Iowa
well since everybody else feels the need to add their 2cents... My 2cents if you read back... The 302 is better at high rpms and good at top speeds on the hwy... Hmmm... Maybe there is a short in my head but when I think "TRUCK" I think hauling/towing something and 4x4 to get around off-road... I don't think: Hey I need to rev up my truck and race it down the hwy... That's what mustangs are for IMHO... Not to mention if you are using a truck for what they were built for... You want low end grunt and torque.
All in all IMO... 302's should be left in cars and 300's and 351w should be run in trucks!
All in all IMO... 302's should be left in cars and 300's and 351w should be run in trucks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
I just hate that every thread where the 300 and 302 are even mentioned it turns into a 300 vs 302.
Man, it just shouldn't be that way.
I'm not pointing a finger at anyone. So far we're having a decent conversation. But if we're going to continue hi-jacking this poor fellow's thread, let's be sure to keep the comments intelligent and civil.
I for one wouldn't want to go toe to toe against a 302 in a pulling contest. I think even if I did win it wouldn't be by much. I certinally wouldn't want to race a 302. It's a great engine, one of Ford's best, just like the 300 is one of Ford's best. They're just not built or made or thought up for the same things.
I love the 300 and I wish I had a built one in my truck. Some days I do wish I had more horsepower. The added ability to easily get somewhere in a hurry would be nice. But I'm happy with the 300 as long as it's healthy.
The biggest thing is gearing. Do it wrong and you'll turn your 300 into a dog like I did. I can pull a house down now at 1,000 RPM - but don't expect me to get anywhere in a hurry past 30 miles an hour!
Man, it just shouldn't be that way.
I'm not pointing a finger at anyone. So far we're having a decent conversation. But if we're going to continue hi-jacking this poor fellow's thread, let's be sure to keep the comments intelligent and civil.
I for one wouldn't want to go toe to toe against a 302 in a pulling contest. I think even if I did win it wouldn't be by much. I certinally wouldn't want to race a 302. It's a great engine, one of Ford's best, just like the 300 is one of Ford's best. They're just not built or made or thought up for the same things.
I love the 300 and I wish I had a built one in my truck. Some days I do wish I had more horsepower. The added ability to easily get somewhere in a hurry would be nice. But I'm happy with the 300 as long as it's healthy.
The biggest thing is gearing. Do it wrong and you'll turn your 300 into a dog like I did. I can pull a house down now at 1,000 RPM - but don't expect me to get anywhere in a hurry past 30 miles an hour!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
302's last a long time if treated with respect. The 300 and 302 can also get the same fuel milage. The 302 actually makes more torque, just at a slightly higher RPM.
I do love the 300 though. It's one of my top five favorite engines. It's bullet proof and can pull a house down if it gets enough traction.
Good luck with your swap! I'll be keeping up with it!
I do love the 300 though. It's one of my top five favorite engines. It's bullet proof and can pull a house down if it gets enough traction.
Good luck with your swap! I'll be keeping up with it!
302 = 210ft. Torque.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
Since when did torque over rule horsepower???? Just throwing that out there to see who can give the correct response.. :-)
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
Okay, say I've got a T-800 Kenworth with a C-15 Cat in it. Now also say I've got a 50 Ton Witzco tri-axle lowboy with an SK-200 Kobelco Track-hoe on it. Okay....
Now I hit the base of Mont-Eagle and I've got a choice to make... If I run the hwy gear it puts me at 1100rpm. If I gear down, I'm at 2000rpm.
Here's the actual engine output:
So which gear will pull hardest at this speed with all this weight? The one that places the engine at 1100rpm (Red Mark), or the one that places it at 2000rpm (Blue Mark)?
Which puts the most torque TO THE GROUND?
Now I hit the base of Mont-Eagle and I've got a choice to make... If I run the hwy gear it puts me at 1100rpm. If I gear down, I'm at 2000rpm.
Here's the actual engine output:
So which gear will pull hardest at this speed with all this weight? The one that places the engine at 1100rpm (Red Mark), or the one that places it at 2000rpm (Blue Mark)?
Which puts the most torque TO THE GROUND?
How about this.... If you go by this, the 302 will pull better at highway speed, just not from a complete stop. Same thing your saying right?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Comparing to nothing else, my experience with my 300, in low range, four wheel drive, with the NP435 in granny low can move just about anything at a low rate of speed. Boulders, other trucks and now I guess I have to try a house... (someone is going to be pissed.)
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 2,007
From: SW Washington
???, don't know where you got that figure but I'm used to seeing the 302 with 270 ft/lbs of torque at 2400 rpms, at least for my '92 engine. I could see earlier engines with slightly less torque than 270 but no way 210.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,518
Likes: 2,826
Engine_Specifications
BUT BACK TO THE OP:
You have emissions testing in CT, right?
CT Emissions Program - Publications
I can't find and don't care to spend more time researching how picky they are on the inspection. Out here, an engine swap like this is going to get the red flags up and subject you to an even more detailed inspection and approval process. On the other side, if you don't get everything hooked up right, or don't match the OEM emissions specs, you may not pass.
FWIW, get another 302 and put it back the way it was. I'd tell you the same thing if you had a 300.
Good luck with whatever you decide, but watch yourself, you don't want to end up parked without registration or having to spend more money on this than necessary.