Hey guys,

I have a Windsor 302 in my 85 F150. Would like a list of parts that I should get to have some performance gains. Looking for about 300-400 hp, have a budget of $2,000 - $3,000.
Currently thinking of getting a dual-quad intake manifold and 2 Edelbrock carbs, headers and 3 inch dual exhaust. An engine rebuild won't be an bad idea I think.
Wanna know what else I need and love to hear your suggestions!!!

 

There are way smarter people on here than I am but....

- I would stick with a single carb; you can burn most of your money on just that setup and end up with more carb than engine.
- Cam
- GT-40p heads
- Headers & Exhaust

All this will at least get you breathing better which is a big step. You should notice some modest gains on a nice budget; not 300 - 400 though. You can keep tweaking from there.

 

Thanks!
What do you think I should do with the engine? Should I take it out and do a complete rebuild?

 

If you have that kind of budget, then I'd rethink your strategy and find a roller 351W from a 95-97 truck or van to use as a starting point. Putting the 2x4 setup on an otherwise stock early 80's 302 is a huge waste of time and money. Ditto for dual 3" exhaust, thats too big for a 460. The 302 was never originally intended to be used as a truck engine, something that needs more torque to push it around, not more horsepower. As for the 2x4's, you need to understand that more carbs or more airflow (CFM capacity) does not equate to more power. You need an engine under the carb (or carbs) that can take advantage of the added cfm capacity, carbs operate on the basis of vacuum, this is the force that draws fuel from the bowls, it's not fuel injection where you have a fuel pump supplying pressure to force fuel into the airstream. You add more carbs or cfm capacity, you decrease the vacuum signal, thus lessening the force used to feed fuel into the engine. Don't get me wrong, I'm into multiple carb setups and have been for 30 years, but in your case, its a bad idea putting it on an otherwise stock 302 pushing a 5000 lb vehicle.

 

What do you think about a 351W made in the 80's? Would prefer engine with carb!

 

Baddad made a great suggestion. Go for the roller engine he referred to. While its apart you might get the cam reground to juice it up a bit but stock isnt bad. You can simply bolt a carb setup on top as well as all the other stuff I suggested.

You dont want to change stuff for the sake of changing it; going this route will give you the bump your looking for while keeping it reliable.

 

Be sure to use a chrome moly oil pump shaft and 1 Holley is 10 times better then 2 Edelbrock's. A small cam and better heads is a must. E7TE's or GT40P's are great.

 

x3 on the exhaust and the dual carbs. way too much. also you can convert any pushrod engine to carb easily, my 302 in the stang started fuel injected.

This is the build in my mustang and i am putting down 340ish at the wheels:

No A/C or smog
Holley 600cfm carb
edelbrock air-gap intake
E303 cam 1.7 roller rockers
edelbrock performer 170cc heads
Crane Hi-6 ignition box and coil
MSD pro billet dizzy
full exhaust

 

Here are 2 sources I found on eBay. What do you guys think? Should I spend $1,700 on them?
94,95,96,97,Ford,351,w,5.8,truck,van,engine,roller | eBay

94 95 96 97 5.8 Ford F150 F250 F350 351W Engine | eBay

 

Honestly, if it were me, i have enough knowledge to rebuild my own, and even if i dont my father sure as hell does. i would just find a lower mile wrecked truck/van and pull the 351w out of it then rebuild it the way you want and as you get the money. just my personal opinion

 

x2 on the j/y

I picked up a roller 302 for my boat for about $150 (pick n pull charges the same for all engines regardless of cylinder and size) and am in the process of rebuilding it. I will know what I have when its all said and done.

Unless you are buying new from a reputable shop/store, you never know what you will be getting. If I am buying from a private party I pretty much would assume the worse because you are not going to be able to take it back.

 

$2100 for a reman long block ?(that's $1700 + the $400 core charge you're going to have to pay without a core motor to exchange) I pulled a nice roller 351 out of a 95 F250 last spring for $300 including the ZF 5 speed behind it. The thing about these later 5.0's and 5.8's is they lasted a long time, nothing special to get 200,000 to 300,000 miles out of them with very little bore wear. I've seen quite a few that really only needed new rings, rods and main beaings, plus a new oil pump to get another 100,000 miles outta them. But it's your money.