Notices
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

302 swap?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 06:19 PM
  #1  
fhewitt250's Avatar
fhewitt250
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
302 swap?

I have a 1972 ford f250 with a 390 in it. my plans for the truck is a street rod with a mustang suspension, has anyone put a 302 in these trucks?
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 07:25 PM
  #2  
jowilker's Avatar
jowilker
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Club FTE Silver Member

Your 250 is a pretty heavy truck, the 302 is gonna be short on gonads unlike the FE.

You will have to make a complete swap including tranny & perches should you go in that direction.


John
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 08:59 PM
  #3  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by fhewitt250
I have a 1972 ford f250 with a 390 in it. my plans for the truck is a street rod with a mustang suspension, has anyone put a 302 in these trucks?
Sure. The factory did it but with a half-ton. A 302 is a bit of a weakling for a long bed. Better work on boosting torque to move the pachyderm off the line.

Build a 351 stroker (393 or 408) and its additional CID/HP/TQ will compensate.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 09:09 PM
  #4  
fhewitt250's Avatar
fhewitt250
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I guess I should have explained my intentions. The 302 is going in temporarily. I'm getting the motor and transmission set up for near to nothing. The 302 set up is going in until I decide what to do either a rebuild the 390 and keep the numbers matching motor in it with a 400+HP build. Or b go with a 400 motor swap later. Most likely going with a. the 302 will be going in a 60s mustang I plan on building later I just need the truck up and running didn't know how easy it is and what ask I will need or need to modify. Can I bolt it up to my c 6 or will I need the 302s c4?
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 09:10 PM
  #5  
fhewitt250's Avatar
fhewitt250
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Plus the bed is getting shortened and might be adding an extended cab.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 09:12 PM
  #6  
fhewitt250's Avatar
fhewitt250
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
And my 390 is also burning a quart of oil a week which is why I need to pull the motor.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 09:14 PM
  #7  
19704X4F250's Avatar
19704X4F250
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 1
From: Butler, IN
You will need the C4. Different bell housing pattern. Possibly need a different drive shaft.You will also need the correct engine perches as the FE perches won't work. Here is a site to look at to help you get the correct perches. Comparison Photos of Engine Perches - FORDification.com
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 09:44 PM
  #8  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by fhewitt250
I guess I should have explained my intentions. The 302 is going in temporarily. I'm getting the motor and transmission set up for near to nothing. The 302 set up is going in until I decide what to do either a rebuild the 390 and keep the numbers matching motor in it with a 400+HP build. Or b go with a 400 motor swap later. Most likely going with a. the 302 will be going in a 60s mustang I plan on building later I just need the truck up and running didn't know how easy it is and what ask I will need or need to modify. Can I bolt it up to my c 6 or will I need the 302s c4?
Yep, that wouldda helped.

Temporary? Why? Build it right and build it once. FEs are notoriously inefficient mpg-wise but generate lots of torque within its very strong block. Building an FE takes more dollars than most other Ford engines. Plus it's old technology.. the last time a block came off the production line was 1976.

I think dollar for dollar, building a 460 is better value... more common, more recent engineering, and lots of aftermarket goodies. 400hp is really easy to make with a 460 and it's not even breaking a sweat.. do some mild porting on the heads, a performance cam, dual plane intake, headers, dual exhaust, and a 750 cfm carb will garner 400 HP. Step up to aluminum heads and it'll get real close to 500 HP.... with the mpg of a stock rebuilt FE!

Oh, there's really no such thing as "numbers matching" when it comes to 99.9 percent of Fords. "Period correct" is as close as you'll get. As far as I know, only K-Code Mustangs (Hi-Po) are the only ones that got a VIN stamp to make it truly matching.

That's a C6 specific to an FE so no joy there.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 10:03 PM
  #9  
fhewitt250's Avatar
fhewitt250
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
K well that clears up allot. I don't know much about these old ford trucks other then I love the body style. I guess a better question I should have been asking is what I should put in the truck instead lol. My buddy suggested a 302 which is why I was thinking that rupee but he is a Chevy guy so wouldn't know much about fords.
 
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 01:36 AM
  #10  
RichS2659's Avatar
RichS2659
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 251
From: North Pole, Alaska
Oh, there's really no such thing as "numbers matching" when it comes to 99.9 percent of Fords. "Period correct" is as close as you'll get. As far as I know, only K-Code Mustangs (Hi-Po) are the only ones that got a VIN stamp to make it truly matching.

There kind of is with the casting codes if the block and other parts have a code of D2, if a person is really that **** about it, but nothing like GM's numbers if true. And for the OP, how do you actually know it is a 390 withouit doing a stroke check? Remember ND's "a 390 on sale day, a 360 every other day".
 
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 01:54 AM
  #11  
fhewitt250's Avatar
fhewitt250
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I've done the stroke test. Multiple times its a 390.
 
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 01:39 PM
  #12  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Same perches (aka towers, stands, supports): 1969/79 F100 302 / 1975/79 F150 302 / 1977/79 F100/350 351M/400 2WD.
 
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 02:06 PM
  #13  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by RichS2659
There kind of is with the casting codes if the block and other parts have a code of D2, if a person is really that **** about it, but nothing like GM's numbers if true.

And for the OP, how do you actually know it is a 390 withouit doing a stroke check? Remember ND's "a 390 on sale day, a 360 every other day".
Nope...Again, it would be considered "period correct" but never numbers matching as in VIN for VIN like GM.

If ya really wanna be ultra-**** like the Mustang Club of America's Thoroughbred class where only NOS parts are permitted, then the month/day/shift stampings have to be around 30 days or so its build date.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
thagutterman
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
May 15, 2005 01:47 PM
nd48463
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
12
Oct 12, 2004 09:04 AM
seans64'
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
1
Aug 18, 2003 11:33 PM
goodfoot
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Mar 28, 2002 11:14 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:23 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE