1996-1990 Engine swap
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Joined: May 2011
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1996-1990 Engine swap
I am looking to install a 1990 EFI 302 in my 96 f150, replacing the original 302 EFI. What needs to be changed over in order to do this. This is the first engine swap that I have done that wasn't an even swap.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The basic engine is nearly identical but the '96 has a few more sensors on it than the '90 and a few things are located differently, so my suggestion is to strip the '90 motor bare and install the intake, timing cover & water pump, balancer, accessory brackets and accessories, and distributor from the '96. The only notable internal difference between these motors is the camshaft, the '90 truck motor(if that is what you have) uses a small flat tappet cam while the '94+ truck motors got a larger roller cam, so the '90 motor is less powerful and requires a different distributor drive gear. If you want to retain the power level of the '96 I'd suggest you move the cam over while the motor is stripped down, all the associated parts will transfer to the '90 block no problem and this would be a good time to install a new timing set as well. This also saves you from having to change the drive gear on the '96 distributor.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,308
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From: Elyria, OH
I would definatly do as paul suggested with the cam. I went from a 96 roller 351w to a flat tappet 89 351w motor that i put GT40 heads, 1.7RR and headers on and the 96 motor itself stock felt stronger with more torque. Which was/is terribly disappointing to me. Should of went with a better cam because it sucks leaving all that potiental on the table with those other performance upgrades to the motor
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 1
From: Elyria, OH
Actually, thats not necessarily true. With the added torque, the motor will work less keeping the truck at the desired speed, which in turn will do better on fuel mileage. With today's gas prices, another 2 hrs of work with the motor out seems like a good idea to me. Even a stock flat tappet 302 can get up and go, so if you are concerned that he is going to "show off" and get himself into trouble, maybe a sbf is not something you should give him in the first place. Better off buying a 300-6 motor for the truck if thats the case...
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