I haven't read any of this thread but I want to respond to the thread title: there isn't one

 

Forget the 302 not enough power and torque for the small amount of fuel mpg if any that you would gain.

 

In a big/heavy truck a 302 would have to run harder to accelerate or to stay at speed. So you'll get the worst of both worlds; less power and equal to lesser MPG.

Really dude, just rebuild what you have. It's going to be the most cost effective way.

 

I prefer the 300 4.9 over the 351W but some prefer the mighty V8. The 300 has strong torque for it's size. It also gets great gas mileage and runs forever. Changing over to it from the 351 is another thing. It will hook right up to the tranny, but there are alot of other issues to look at as far as fuel lines and wiring. I purchased a wrecked 1990 F250 4X4 with a 351W 5 speed. The body was wrecked so I scraped the the body and am in the process of taking the body of my 1988 F150 4.9 and putting it on the F250 frame and drive train. I am also switching motors as the 351 runs, but has issues and I don't know what condition it is in without taking it apart. The only problem I've found is the attaching wire that hooks up to the F250 tranny and transfer case to the main wire harness does not have the same hook ups as the wire that attaches to the 5 speed in the F150. I didn't know if an 88 4X4 wire would work from a salvage yard or not. Any knowedge in this area would be greatly appreciated.

 

WTF! really??? really??? 460's with auto's and hwy gearin still only get 8-10mpg... maybe 12 going down hill with, the wind to your back, while drafting a semi...

yeah that wouldn't cost a pretty penny swapping gas to diesel...

That's what aftermarket turbos are for! to pep up the old IDIs!!!!

x2... everyone wants more power, better towing, and faster faster faster... The IDI are a bit slow if your used to a 351w or 460...

great idea for $5000... Seriously! If I had $5000-$7000 I'd put a 5.9L cummins in my truck any day!

Icky...

x2... 302's especially in 3/4ton trucks just don't belong... Ford should have left the 302 in the mustang... no torque and will eat gas like a mo fo from being overworked!


I have a 300 in my F250 with the zf-5spd and she's a little pouchish off the line under load but cruises good at 65-70mph unloaded down the highway and has NEVER left me stranded anywhere. I love my 4.9L... Some complain about them but I think they are under geared for towing or expect a 4.9L to tow 12K at 75 constantly! Which is rediculous!

The 351w is a great motor if you keep the maintence up on it, and farely easy to get aftermarket upgrades for... cams, intakes, heads, etc, etc... I'd put $200 into it tuning it up and making sure you are getting good mileage from a gps or something... our trucks can't be relied on for accurate milage readings to calculate mpgs if you have a different tire size on and even when you change a speedo gear it's still of b/c sometimes you need a 16.4-16.7 tooth gear so a 16 or 17 tooth gear will throw off mileage and your mpgs at the same time.

Here is a post i wrote a while back for better mpgs and performance...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post9386491

sixlitre tunup:
ignition upgrade and timing bump (no 56K) - Page 2 - FSB Forums

 

Quote: I have a 300 in my F250 with the zf-5spd and she's a little pouchish off the line under load but cruises good at 65-70mph unloaded down the highway and has NEVER left me stranded anywhere. I love my 4.9L... Some complain about them but I think they are under geared for towing or expect a 4.9L to tow 12K at 75 constantly! Which is rediculous!

Is you truck a 4X4 ? If so, I'd sure like to know what the connector wire looks like on your truck that attaches the 5 speed and transfer case to the main wiring harness as I am transfering an 88 F150 body, bed, wiring and fuel setup onto a 1990 F250 frame and drive train and it will be the same setup as yours with the 300 5 speed. My F150 with a 300 has a single connector to the transmission and the F250 4X4 with a 351W has a double connection, but the connectors are not the same.