Here's my dillema. I will be getting a 1976 F250 highboy in a few weeks. I'm getting it real cheap. But I have to pull the 390 out for the price I'm getting the truck for. I am also buying my fathers 1978 mustang with a 302. I will be putting the 302 in the truck, and before I have a lot of people asking why I'm putting a 302 in, instead of some other motor, it's what I have available. But it's not stock, it has been bored and blueprinted 40 over. The cam is 280 duration 508 lift I think. The mustang runs low 13's. My question is will the 390 bell housing bolt to the 302, or will I have to use the bell housing from the mustang? Thanks for any help y'all can give. Both transmissions are manual.



1976 F250
Divorced T-case
Dana 60 & 44 axles ( closed knuckle )

 

The FE bell will not bolt to a Windsor. It,s not a matter of HP but rather torque and at what RPM range where it is made. An SBF is a mismatch IMO.

 

The 302 is the only thing I have available. But it has not been dyno'd, so I don't know exactly what horsepower or torque it has.

 

In general, you need low-RPM torque to move heavy trucks, not the high-RPM horsepower used in much-lighter cars, and I agree that this proposed combination is an expensive mismatch you will likely be disappointed with.

 

But its what he has!

My advice, how much more does he want for the truck if you keep the 390 in it? By the time you find and buy everything to put your awesome 302 in it, I bet you could just buy the 390 and leave it in the truck. 390s are common, not an expensive engine unless its built and it can be proven.

That truck came with a 360 stock, they all become 390s when they are for sale. You cant tell them apart just by looking.

And if its a 76 the dana 44 should be open knuckle disc brake, not closed knuckle drum break.

Think you need to figure out what you are really buying here before anything else.

 

If the 302 was setup for racing in a mustang your already in trouble. Big cams and high rpm don't move trucks built like a tank.

 

Well actually they'll MOVE the truck, they just won't be happy about it. That engine will have to rev way higher to reach its power band. Fuel economy would be terrible for that reason too. I get that's all the OP has, but it really isn't a good idea unless the truck was being built for racing (ie: lightened, lowered, given aerodynamics, etc)

 

I am getting the truck without the motor for $500 bucks. With the motor the truck would be $3500. But from what I am told, the truck originally came with the straight-6. I haven't looked the the build date, so it's possible it is a late 75 which would give it closed knuckle. The 302, I helped with building. If I were to buy another motor, I wouldn't know anything about, I would have to spend a bunch of money that I don't have. But it's not full race either. I figure that motor in the truck with it geared the way it is, that it should be fine. As long as it has enough torque.

 

Alright well i would imagine since a 302 never came in a highboy, its gonna take some work. Probably going to need engine mount towers from a truck with a 302. I would imagine the oil pan will not work from the mustang to a 4wd truck. So going to need to source that which probably include different oil pick up tube too. not sure about clutch if it will interchange with the mustang.
Need a bellhousing too.
Will the rad work with hose locations?

Like everyone else says its going to hate that truck, Id rather have a 300 6 than a 302 in that truck. Should have 410s in the truck so that will help a little but if that 302 is higher rpm your going to be screaming that engine all the time to have power.

Is the engine that built its worth 3000 dollars? seems like a big difference from 3500 to $500. The truck is only worth 500 with no engine?

Im not trying to be a *****, but I have been through this before, I have no money so Im going to use whatever I have, it usually costs more in the long run. That engine never came in that truck it will take some work to do it.

and there is a lot of differences between a 75 and 76 might not seem like it but there is, Id figure out what year it is for sure.

 

Well I know they will move it every truck I've had had a 302. Its doesn't belong in a F250 though. Be better off with a 300.

 

IMO, the truck it's self is worth at least $1000. It is clean and straight. Very minimal rust. The only thing body wise, that could need replacing with a piece from LMC, are the cab corners and top of rear wheel wells. I don't think the 390 that is in it, is worth $3000 dollars. But I'm getting a hell of a deal for the rest of the truck. Especially since at the moment, it is a running and driving truck. Everything works.
But as far as the motor. I will at least look into a 360/390. I've had a 74' F-250 with the 360 and manual trans before. So I do know my way around the truck. And I will take another look at the axles as well.

 

Right that's exactly what I was saying. That 302 may be suitable for an f100, but not an f250.

 

Soo, after a little looking. The only 390's I can find on eBay and Amazon. Are new crate motors. That's not what I'm looking for.

 

typed in "ypsi craiglist" then ford 360 got this

Ford fe cylinder heads ,factory 4v intake, and misc.

there where some other things in other ads also on the first page

 

Thank you, but the people in this area are not the kind I would trust with this stuff. And the one's who are trust worthy, want too much for what I am looking for. That's why I feel I'm getting a deal for the truck. I have had nothing but good luck when ordering online or from out of state.