302 capabilites?
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Sussex county, NJ
302 capabilites?
Im thinking of putting a 302 with a t-18 or t-19 into my f5 flatbed, but am wondering if it would have the same capabilities, load wise, as the stock engine and trans. I still plan to use it as a work truck for hauling and towing does any one know? thanks. MarkG.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Which 302 and what cam?
If you have a PU truck 302 with the lower end type cam, it will probably work just fine. A Mustang motor might not work so well.
You will have plenty of gear with the NP 435. Make sure you get the biggest, most heavy duty clutch you can find for it also.
If you have a PU truck 302 with the lower end type cam, it will probably work just fine. A Mustang motor might not work so well.
You will have plenty of gear with the NP 435. Make sure you get the biggest, most heavy duty clutch you can find for it also.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,155
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From: Burbank, WA
The 302 has twice the hp and torque of any of the stock engines available at the time. So if that's your comparison, you'll be in good shape. Obviously, for working purposes, there's many larger engines available that would do a better job.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,994
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
The 302 is a great engine. The 80's engines had the cam timing retarded to help reduce some emissions. As long as you have it out and accessible, you could gain quite a bit of power by putting in an aftermarket timing gear/chain set, and maybe even a towing type cam. If you put the valve timing back where it belongs, the engine will run a lot better. It's just a thought. It all kind of depends on what you're planning to use for a fuel system (fuel injection or carbureted). I had an 84 Bronco years ago & it had the crappy carburetor with no adjustments. Not too long after that, they went with fuel injection. That one was the 300-I6 engine & it went through 3 exhuast manifolds in the first 100k miles. I assume it was from excessive exhaust gas temperature which is a result of the cam timing being retarded.
With 34 posts, that makes you a relatively new guy....Welcome to the forum!!
Post a couple of pics of your project!
Dan
Dan
With 34 posts, that makes you a relatively new guy....Welcome to the forum!!
Post a couple of pics of your project!
Dan
Dan
5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 34
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From: Pahrump, NV
I used a stock 302 and C4 trans in my 3/4 ton 1952 truck. with stock rear end and tires....it hauled a 10.5 foot camper loaded with all my tools from Calif to Oregon with no problems.....it would pull heavy loads all day.....not fast (55mph max) but never slowed down on any mountains. lost it in divorce but it still is my #1 truck ! Never had problems with engine or trans.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: N,Ga
I agree with Old Dan. I doesn't really matter what the 302 came out of, they all had dish top pistons and no cam(except the 5.0L's out of a late model Mustang). I'd call Comp Cams and ask them to suggest a cam. You will have to know everything about your truck and motor though.
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From: Waleska, GA
That's what I was thinking too.^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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From: Indiana
You won't have issues with a stock 302. While it is out, you could build yourself a little more reliable HP and TQ without sacraficing durability, but in reality you don't have to. You could leave it in stock trim and out perform a flathead with it any day. They offer more ponies, more torque, and can reach more revs than the flat could. So...by that statement, you are good.
Now would a very mild cam help? Yep. Better pistons? Yep. Do you hafta do it? Nope. There are larger displacement mills available, but honestly there is nothing wrong with what you are looking at.
Now would a very mild cam help? Yep. Better pistons? Yep. Do you hafta do it? Nope. There are larger displacement mills available, but honestly there is nothing wrong with what you are looking at.
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