School me please....
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
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School me please....
So I need a good motor to swap into my '60 F100. Don't need a race car just a good solid motor with a little street cam. I've been looking for a donor car to pull a 302 and trans out of. I've been kind of looking at the 97-2001 ford explorer and mercury mountaineers as they have a V8 with the GT40 heads and someone told me those years have the better trans (5R55E) in them.
I guess my question is what are some things i need to consider? Can I swap in a little cam into these motors? How hard is it to pull the computer crap off and just go back to a simple carbureted engine or do I even want to do that? Is it easier to just buy a 302 motor and trans?
any input is welcome guys I really just want to get a game plan going so that I can start on this thing.
I guess my question is what are some things i need to consider? Can I swap in a little cam into these motors? How hard is it to pull the computer crap off and just go back to a simple carbureted engine or do I even want to do that? Is it easier to just buy a 302 motor and trans?
any input is welcome guys I really just want to get a game plan going so that I can start on this thing.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 800
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From: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
converting the engine over to carb setup is not tough. just need a new intake, carb and distributor off a carb engine to make it work.
the tranny is a different story. they are computer controlled and will not work without a computer. you can get stand alone computers to control the trans but you will need a throttle position sensor on the carb to make it work, but there is lots of kits and links out there to show how to do this depending on the carb you choose.
there are places out there that offer computers and wiring kits to install the efi 302 and electronic transmissions in older cars without having to use the factory computer and wiring harness. this is probably the route i would go as there is a lot of aftermarket support and parts for these efi 302 to make them from mild to wild.
rgds
Mike
the tranny is a different story. they are computer controlled and will not work without a computer. you can get stand alone computers to control the trans but you will need a throttle position sensor on the carb to make it work, but there is lots of kits and links out there to show how to do this depending on the carb you choose.
there are places out there that offer computers and wiring kits to install the efi 302 and electronic transmissions in older cars without having to use the factory computer and wiring harness. this is probably the route i would go as there is a lot of aftermarket support and parts for these efi 302 to make them from mild to wild.
rgds
Mike
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Joined: Mar 2014
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converting the engine over to carb setup is not tough. just need a new intake, carb and distributor off a carb engine to make it work.
the tranny is a different story. they are computer controlled and will not work without a computer. you can get stand alone computers to control the trans but you will need a throttle position sensor on the carb to make it work, but there is lots of kits and links out there to show how to do this depending on the carb you choose.
there are places out there that offer computers and wiring kits to install the efi 302 and electronic transmissions in older cars without having to use the factory computer and wiring harness. this is probably the route i would go as there is a lot of aftermarket support and parts for these efi 302 to make them from mild to wild.
rgds
Mike
the tranny is a different story. they are computer controlled and will not work without a computer. you can get stand alone computers to control the trans but you will need a throttle position sensor on the carb to make it work, but there is lots of kits and links out there to show how to do this depending on the carb you choose.
there are places out there that offer computers and wiring kits to install the efi 302 and electronic transmissions in older cars without having to use the factory computer and wiring harness. this is probably the route i would go as there is a lot of aftermarket support and parts for these efi 302 to make them from mild to wild.
rgds
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 164
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From: Utah
I have built many of these trucks. they have room for just about any thing you want to put in there. I have done 289/302, 390, 427, 428, 429 and a few 460 swaps.I am currently doing another 460 swap with a C-6 auto trans. like has been mentioned you will need a non computer controlled trans or at least on that you can get a stand alone controller for. I am assuming you want a newer over drive trans? if not just go with a older tranny. you could always keep the fuel injection and computer controlled trans, the wiring is not all that difficult.
Its up to what you want.
Its up to what you want.
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chevy
I guess if you cant afford a ford engine go with a chevy engine
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Cross-Country
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Lol that's almost as bad as there are more chevy ls engines powering fox body mustangs than ford engines 
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I bought a harness, all new including connectors, plus EGR (and other non-Smog) delete items from a guy in MI. Choosing the correct harness was a bit confusing, at first, cleared up with a little help from the vendor, then 45 minutes figuring out which bundle went which direction, it was a near cake walk.
Each connector is unique and only plugs into what it should; what it matches. The $$ spent was well worth the alternative of altering the old harness and figuring out how to make the unused Smog items not screw up the computer.
That AOD has an electronic output for the computer and a mechanical output for an old school speedo cable.
This is one case where a computer is your friend.
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From: SW Michigan
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Neighbor that lives coupla houses away from me here in the Puente Hills, bought a new 2012 5.3L Silverado Stupor Crew. When climbing the hill, its "get up and go, got up and went."
After driving my (now former) 2011 F150 Lariat 5.0L Stupor Crew (weighs 800 lbs. more than the Chebbie), he was so impressed, he traded the Chebbie in for an F150.
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Cross-Country
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Sounds to me like someone likes to whine about someone else's preferences I own three other vehicles that are ford powered and am happy with them but my boat my jeep and this truck are gm powered and that's my choice I was simply answering a question about what engine packages work in these trucks and what I am using I don't recall waving a flag or saying chevy is best I just said what I am using and you with your self proclaimed expertise want to whine about it so that's all I am going to say about it I highly doubt you know what everyone else here likes or wants to know about.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: SW Michigan
Sounds to me like someone likes to whine about someone else's preferences I own three other vehicles that are ford powered and am happy with them but my boat my jeep and this truck are gm powered and that's my choice I was simply answering a question about what engine packages work in these trucks and what I am using I don't recall waving a flag or saying chevy is best I just said what I am using and you with your self proclaimed expertise want to whine about it so that's all I am going to say about it I highly doubt you know what everyone else here likes or wants to know about.