302 engine swap

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May 7, 2012 | 09:27 PM

wolfs86F100

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302 engine swap

ok guys here goes my 1st post on FTE,i have an 83 f100 302 cam bearings going out low oil press from what i understand up to 83 the engines were just regular engines as far as cams and lifters and all and in 84 ford went to the roller engine i am beginning to search used engines and something as old as the 83 havent been in too good of shape wil the roller engins run with my old stock ignition system ,mechanical fuel system or will there be many more sensors and ecms involved ? so far what few parts people i have talked to have no idea.....input please thanks

May 7, 2012 | 10:21 PM

Gary Lewis

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From: Northeast, OK

I don't think the roller engines started until much later, like '89 or so. I know for a fact that the '85 351HO's were still flat tappet.

Having said that, the lifters don't make much difference. Pull your engine and install the carb and all the various sensors on the new engine and away you go. But, if the new engine has a serpentine belt system you'll have to work a bit to make the connections there as the alternator will be different for sure.

May 7, 2012 | 11:19 PM

kedwinh

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From: Casa Grande

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Lewis

I don't think the roller engines started until much later, like '89 or so. I know for a fact that the '85 351HO's were still flat tappet.

Think your right Gary. I know my 84 Mustang didn't have the roller cam.

May 8, 2012 | 08:01 AM

noal133

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From: Blandburg PA

I found this on Wikipedia, " The block was fitted with revised, taller lifter bosses to accept roller lifters, and a steel camshaft in 1985"

May 8, 2012 | 08:09 AM

ctubutis

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From: Denver Metro Area, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by noal133

I found this on Wikipedia, " The block was fitted with revised, taller lifter bosses to accept roller lifters, and a steel camshaft in 1985"

Wikipedia has been known to be wrong before, or it could be talking about something else, or who knows. Providing only a quote snippet doesn't do us any good; what's the URL of that quote?

In any event, I agree with Gary & Kedwinh in that I believe the roller engine stuff didn't come about until, at the earliest, the late 1980s, and quite possibly the early '90s. I remember looking into this stuff when I rebuilt my engine a few years ago.

May 8, 2012 | 08:17 AM

Gary Lewis

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From: Northeast, OK

Quote:

Originally Posted by noal133

I found this on Wikipedia, " The block was fitted with revised, taller lifter bosses to accept roller lifters, and a steel camshaft in 1985"

But in what vehicles? Anyway, it doesn't matter as you can still swap whatever induction hardware is on the current engine onto the new one. Do the same for exhaust, add on any other sensors, address the alternator issue if it has a serpentine belt, and it'll run - regardless of what type lifters and cam.

May 8, 2012 | 07:14 PM

bruno2

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From: Broken Arrow , OK

The 302's had roller variations at some point. The 351's may have been as well. I had to use retro fit roller lifters in my motor(351W) because it was beofre a certain yr. The roller lifters and roller rockers wont make a difference with any of the other external components. The ignition doesnt know if the motor has roller hardware or care.