I have a 1996 f150 with a 302 in it and a mechanic told me that I have a valve sticking, I would like to have a little more power so I'm wondering if I should pull the heads off and have them redone and maybe do a little more work when I do or just buy a 351 and put it in there. Just wondering what your opinion is or what you would do if it was yours.

 

I do like the 351 idea but its not just about dropping it in. you need a different flexplate and ECU. you can have the heads redone but on these trucks the 351 returns almost the same MPG and have more grunt against a stock 302 ofcourse lol. I have a 302 in mine but I am wanting to build a nice 351 to put on her.

 

What do you plan on doing with the truck to need a 351? Just a curious question.

As for my opinion, ive never seen the point in ripping out a fine-running motor to put in a different one unless you need the extra power to pull or something of that matter. Even having said that, a mild build on the 302 could put it right up there with the 351 for about the same price you'd pay to get the motor, flexplate, computer and so on to swap a 351 in.

this is just my opinion bud, its your truck in the end, and im just expressing my views!

 

I don't mind keeping the 302 I just want a little more out of it. I don't really pull anything maybe a car on a trailer but not very often. Its my daily driver and I'm not easy on it. What could I do to it while its apart to add a little more power

 

Swap to e7 heads....Or a set of GT40 heads, and add a camshaft....Talk to Conanski on recomendations......

I'd also get a Double Roller Timing chain set....Cos the factory one is prolly stretched a tad....

The stock upper intake is actually very good...So no need for changing and wasting money there.....Maybe gasket-match port the lower intake manifold.....

Upgrading the exhaust isn't a bad idea....Pacesetter has good, inexpensive shorty/longtube headers....

 

I'm not positive but I think I have the e7 heads already and I've been looking for some gt40s but everthing I find is the Ps, wat camshaft would work best. I haven't looked at pacesetter but most of the headers show they will work for trucks up to 95, do they make some for a 96

 

96 *Should* be the exact same thing, as nothing changed till 1997....

Also, as I said..Conanski is the go to guy for cams.....

 

Your truck allready has E 7 heads , but the Gt 40s would be a good up grade , the 96 has a decent roller cam , you could go to 1.7 rockers to give the stock cam more lift , long tube headers with custom exhaust will work good , advance the timing a few deg from 10 deg BTDC to 12-14 , what rear end gears are in your truck and how tall are the tires .....Lew

 

And your truck has MAF so you have alot of cam choices if thats what you decide...

 

I have 3.55 and 31s

 

3.55 are not to bad , 4.10 would give you some more low end , the 302 likes the higher rpms , thats where the power is...

 

I would like to have 4.10 but being 4X4 I would have to change two sets of gears and I'd rather not have to do that. Would the 1.7s make much difference or would I be bettet off to go with a different cam

 

If you are going to upgrade the heads , i would change the cam....

 

Not to undercut lew, but if you pull the heads off to fix the sticking valve you can get a decent amount of power for pretty low cost. Your cam will produce plenty of power. While the heads are off, take them to a machine shop and have them smooth out the intake runners and grind down the thermactors. Get you a good set of beehive springs, close to the stock spring rate, no more is needed, but the stock ones bounce at high rpm. You may have to get them to machine the pedestals to fit roller rockers or you can get a kit from summit racing that allows for stud mount rockers on stock heads, 1.6 or 1.7 will be fine, your choice. All that being done, get a good set of headers and a larger exhaust system to support the flow. Those small improvements can net you a sizeable gain in power and won't cost too much. Not to mention no tuning or additional modifications are needed. All you are doing is improving on the original components to make them work to their full potential. Just changing to 1.7s on untouched heads may pick up a couple hp and tq, but nothing big. Your truck, your choice, just throwing in my 2 cents.