need help on motor swap
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need help on motor swap
I am wanting to put a 302 motor out of a 89 f150 in a 96 f150 was hoping to find out what I had to change besides the wiring harness . I am new to this site so I dnt know if this is how it is supposed to work or not . thank u
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its a 302 but I was told to put a 89 302 in a 96 I had to change the wiring harness n possibly the computer because of the firing order is different and one has a crank sensor on the timing cover n the other one don't
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: SW Florida
On that 96, the crank sensor is ONLY for misfire detection. The crank position and RPM input to the computer still comes from the PIP sensor in the distributor just like it does on the 89.
As for having to change the wiring harness... well yes the 96 has a completely different computer (EEC-V processor instead of EEC-IV) and harness so yes, you'll need to swap at least the engine harness AND computer. If it's an auto trans truck, unless the trans is an AOD, you'll need an EEC-IV computer from a truck that had the same auto trans as the one that you plan on running.
As for having to change the wiring harness... well yes the 96 has a completely different computer (EEC-V processor instead of EEC-IV) and harness so yes, you'll need to swap at least the engine harness AND computer. If it's an auto trans truck, unless the trans is an AOD, you'll need an EEC-IV computer from a truck that had the same auto trans as the one that you plan on running.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
No don't change any wiring in your truck that will turn into a nightmare.
There is a firing order difference between these motors and the '89 engine won't work without changing that so you have some work to do. To make the engine compatable you have to strip it bare and put all the '96 EFI stuff on it, so while you got it stripped down just take the roller cam assembly out of the '96 block and put it in the '89, that will change the firing order and it will plug and play perfectly when you put it back in the truck.
There is a firing order difference between these motors and the '89 engine won't work without changing that so you have some work to do. To make the engine compatable you have to strip it bare and put all the '96 EFI stuff on it, so while you got it stripped down just take the roller cam assembly out of the '96 block and put it in the '89, that will change the firing order and it will plug and play perfectly when you put it back in the truck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
Thought the roller cam blocks had some casting difference to accommodate the lifters? May be able to do it with aftermarket lifters?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
Paul, do you have to keep the original firing order due to the '96 being OBD2?
I put a 1990 302 into my son's '95 F150 and I just ran the plug wires using the "old" firing order. I swapped the wiring harness and upper intake from the '95 motor onto the '90. If you can do it my way, you will need to use the '96 distributor since it uses an external ignition module and the '90 does not. Because your donor motor is not a roller, you will need to swap the distributor gear from the '90 distributor to the '96 distributor. Oh yeah I also had to use the '95 exhaust manifolds on my swap because the '90 manifolds used a different bolt spacing on the outlet. Be aware also that your donor motor is going to have an air charge temp sensor on the left side of the intake that you will leave unplugged because that sensor is elsewhere on your '96.
However, this will only work if OBD2 is not an issue since my son's '95 is the last of the OBD1 trucks.
I put a 1990 302 into my son's '95 F150 and I just ran the plug wires using the "old" firing order. I swapped the wiring harness and upper intake from the '95 motor onto the '90. If you can do it my way, you will need to use the '96 distributor since it uses an external ignition module and the '90 does not. Because your donor motor is not a roller, you will need to swap the distributor gear from the '90 distributor to the '96 distributor. Oh yeah I also had to use the '95 exhaust manifolds on my swap because the '90 manifolds used a different bolt spacing on the outlet. Be aware also that your donor motor is going to have an air charge temp sensor on the left side of the intake that you will leave unplugged because that sensor is elsewhere on your '96.
However, this will only work if OBD2 is not an issue since my son's '95 is the last of the OBD1 trucks.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
That only works if both trucks are SD which uses batch fired injectors.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: SW Florida
That's a better answer than my original post. Must have been up late the night before I posted that, because at 8 pm I'm usually still on the ball... usually. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
Then it's not running as well as it could. Is the idle smooth or a bit lumpy?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Idles just fine, runs good. Are you sure about all this cam swap stuff? You didn't mention it in this thread where I asked about my swap, I even said I changed the firing order:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html
Yeah there was no mention of your truck being MAF so I never thought to bring it up. But if it is I don't see it running right without rearranging the injector wiring too.
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