So, my 90 f150 with 240,000 miles has started losing oil pressure. I've drivin it for the past year with little to no oil pressure at idle. I figured i'd finally give her a little attention and strip her down and take it to the machine shop.

I figured while the engines out and being freshened up, I would do a little to help with that 302 power. I was thinking at a minimum it would get longtubes and a nice new exhaust. Some other things I'm looking into is a combination of, or all of the following- more aggressive cam (getting a new one anyway), explorer GT40P heads, Edelbrock performer truck EFI manifold, and/or an MAF swap (since I assume it would need it with many upgrades).

My question is, what would be a decent combination to help put a little pep in the 302's step. Also if you have experience with any particular part (good or bad) please share. My biggest concerns are; if the $700 intake is worth it, if the explorer heads need anything special (other than header-spark plug clearance issues), and how necessary and troublesome/expensive an MAF swap is?

Thanks for any insight you might have. I'm not looking for incredible power gains but just something to give me some reasonable help while towing and pulling hills. If I am overlooking anything else please feel free to share.

 

Don't bother with an intake change it's not needed on this motor.. the stock intake is the best 5.0 intake Ford ever produced. A cam upgrade alone will really wake this motor up and I'd suggest the Comp 35-512-8 roller cam. To utilize that cam you also need roller lifters and the retainer assembly commonly referred to the spider and dogbones but all that can be salvaged from a junkyard roller motor and sometimes you will see the whole package for sale in local classifieds. This will all bolt right into your motor too no machining necessary, all 5.0 blocks cast after 1987 were considered roller ready with taller lifter bores and raised bosses in the lifter valley where the spider bolts down. With modern oils a roller cam will guarantee you won't have cam break-in problems or issues with the lifters eating the cam lobes which seems to be more common all the time, and this cam will not require a MAF conversion either so in that way it's a better fit.
Standard GT40 heads are easier to install as they don't have a radical plug angle, these were found on '96-97.5 Explorers and Cobra Mustangs.

 

Just to be completely clear, the GT40 heads were on '96-97.5 Explorers and '93-95 Cobra Mustangs. I believe they were on the '93-95 Lightnings as well.

 

Alright, the intake was what I wasn't sure about. Could I salvage that spider assembly out of the same explorer 5.0 as the heads?

Thank you for the info, keep it coming.

 

So I spent the day getting the engine ready to pull (disconnecting everything). As I figured might happen, most of the locks on the electrical connectors broke off. The rest of the engine harness doesn't look too good either.

Do ya'll know where to pick up replacement wiring harnesses? I figure a used one wont be much better than the one I have.

 

I don't know where you'll find a stock replacement harness, but you should be able to find many of the connectors at either Clipsandfasteners.com or RockAuto.com.

 

Well, change in plans. I got the engine out and tore down to just the sealed block.

Originally I had just wanted to throw in a 351w and a zf in her, but had trouble finding either in my area (ND doesn't have much to offer). Today I was giving the search a last hail mary and came across a 351 and zf pulled out of an 89 f250 for $500. I'm going to pick it up this weekend with any luck (its the next state over).

SO...
The 302 and mazda are out and the 351 and ZF are in. The seller said it ran fine when pulled (truck was a rust bucket with no title, drivetrain pulled and rest scrapped) with 130,000 miles. I figure there's a good chance it had 230,000. Nonetheless, I still plan on tearing into it to see if it might need anything before it goes in the truck.

Since it is now a 351, i'm not too worried about making extra power. But I did still think about a set of headers, would headers alone make any difference?

Thank you

 

Yes, headers will make a difference but you will also need a computer (PCM) for a 351 equipped truck. Your stock PCM for a 5.0L will not work(with or without headers).

 

Ya I got that. The swap should be pretty straight forward.

 

And don't forget that the 351 has a different firing order.

 

Hello and good morning.

First you are going to spend a TON of money on an engine, regardless of what mods you make, will not equal a 351 build at a fraction of the price.

The GTP40 Heads will cost you $1000 each, good ones, without machining and tuning. So, now you have at least $2,500 in heads alone.

Think about it very seriously and hard.

You will never be able to match a built 351 Windsor, Marine, or Cleveland for the "bang for the buck."

Save yourself alot of money, frustration and disappointment in the finished engine and do an engine swap.

Just common sense and food for thought.

Moreover, figure on spending at least $10,000 just on the engine for a truck that has high mileage(drivetrain)even if you build the engine.

A low mileage 1990 5.0L will cost you only $2500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buy a newer truck as yours is only decreasing in value day by day.

Boon

Postscript: If you were to stroke it, turbocharge it, install a roller cam, roller valve train, etcetera you will then have $12,000 plus (turbocharger) in the engine with a very high mileage vehicle. You cannot even get a KBB value as they only go back 20 years!

 

Hey Boonslick,

Try reading the whole thread maybe? Some research wont hurt ya either.

A long block 302 without a core from SandJ engines is $1500 without a core. But then again, I HAVE A 302 AND WAS REBUILDING IT MYSELF!! All I needed was at most $1000 in machine work and a $350 rebuild kit. A set of gt40p's (not GTP40's) from the local salvage yard are $300 with a $300-$400 head job from the local machine shop for the pair, (far from $1000 a piece). I also mentioned I wasn't looking for incredible power out of it (so who gives a rats a$$ about turbos?) I never mentioned anything past natural aspiration.

OH!!! and lastly, I'M NOW GETTING A 351w!!! Not a marine, or 351m version. Even though i'm sure both are very common and will even swap into a 1990 f150.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!! I found a 351, with the actual expensive and rare component (a small block 4x4 ZF) for $500! But I guess 302s are are hard to come across seeing as they're worth $10'000 and ford only built the 302 for 34 years.

My truck is decreasing in value every day? I had no idea! Its not like I bought it for $2300 5 years ago, as my first truck at 16, and was hoping for a sound investment for retirement in 46 years. So I should get a newer truck?! What in the good lords name are you talking about!

Why are you on here?

Thank you everyone else

 

But heck, Now that I've got a 351, i'll just sell my 302.

$8,000 obo to the first bidder. ($2,000 below blue book apparently)

Any takers?

Free shipping

 

Look smartypants; I READ THE ENTIRE THREAD SO SHOVE IT WHERE THE SUN NEVER SHINES YOU YOUNG angel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU YOUNG PUNK rockers ALWAYS WANT HORSEPOWER, HORSEPOWER, HORSEPOWER AND LIFT KITS AND ALLOYS AND MUDDERS AND ON AND ON AND ON SO WHEN SOMEONE, ANYONE REPLIES WITH SOLID INFORMATION YOU ALL TAKE OFFENSE. WHY?

BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW THE FIRST freaking THING ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM 60 YEARS OLD AND CAN BEAT THE WHOLLY LIVING feathers OUT OF YOU lil angel

ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MY ADDRESS IS (no one cares)

ARE YOU UP TO IT MOTHER lover?

IN CLOSING YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW HOWEVER MINIMAL BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT OR WHO I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BRING IT ON YOU YOUNG PUNK rocker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I DO NOT GIVE ANY feces IF I LOSE MY MEMBERSHIP WHICH IS A GIVEN SO FAREWELL TO ALL AND CONVINCE THE YOUNG PUNK rocker WHO STARTED THIS THREAD TO COME TO PLAY AT MY PLACE; WITH THE "BIG BOYS!'

NOW WHAT THE fudge DO YOU HAVE TO SAY NOW MOTHER lover?

BOON

POSTSCRIPT: IT WILL BE MANO E MANO AND NO GUNS, STICKS, CLUBS, OR WEAPONS OF ANY KIND.

I AM HOPEFUL THAT YOU HAVE MADE OUT YOUR WILL AND IF NOT THEN PERHAPS I WILL TAKE IT EASY ON YOU AND JUST PUT YOU IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!