302 engine compatibility
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Tulsa, OK
302 engine compatibility
I've got an 87' F150 with the 302 and automatic transmission. Cylinder #7 only has about 40 lbs where the other 7 cylinders have around 180. I believe the motor to have about 75,000 miles on it. (It was brand new installed by the Ford dealership in '96). When you remove the Oil filler cap, it smokes really bad out the hole, so I'm pretty sure it has a broken ring. I'm thinking about replacing the engine with one from the junkyard. I found one out of a '91 towncar for $300 that has 115000 miles and a 30 day guarantee. The guy said I'll have to use my intake as they are different.
What do you guys think?
What do you guys think?
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Joined: May 2003
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302 engine compatibility
For all the touble maybe you could get a reman longblock with more of a warranty. With all my junk yard dealings,the cars are there for a reason. and they may "warranty " the motor but do you want to do the swap again? and you will.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Cloud USA
302 engine compatibility
If I were you, I would pull the head off and check the cylinder for scoring, IF it isnt scored i would just hone it and put a new set of rings in it. I have seen several 351's with broken rings and no damage to the cylinder walls
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 870
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From: Upstate NY Rochester
302 engine compatibility
Hey there tulsaokjoel and welcome to FTE!
I like all 3 suggestions so far, but am leaning more towards c_rossman. Even if it's scored, hone it and replace the pistons and rings. The pistons should have four valve releifs, so you can turn the piston 180 degrees. You will encounter slight slap, but it sure beats tearing out the engine and replacing it every 30 days.
A decent long-block will run you about 12-14 hundred dollars.
Good luck and let us know how things go.....
I like all 3 suggestions so far, but am leaning more towards c_rossman. Even if it's scored, hone it and replace the pistons and rings. The pistons should have four valve releifs, so you can turn the piston 180 degrees. You will encounter slight slap, but it sure beats tearing out the engine and replacing it every 30 days.
A decent long-block will run you about 12-14 hundred dollars.
Good luck and let us know how things go.....
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Tulsa, OK
302 engine compatibility
Thanks for the suggestions. Scooter, What will I gain by turning the piston 180 degrees? I've never heard of this, but I'm new to doing internal engine work. If I go that route, what else should I replace while I've got the head and oil pan off? I know I'll need a head gasket. Should I hone and replace rings on all cylinders, or just the one bad one?
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302 engine compatibility
I'm pretty sure the piston pin is offset a few thou toward the exhaust side of the engine,to reduce piston slap. I wouldn't turn it around. But I would replace the rings If the bore isn't scrathed bad.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Upstate NY Rochester
302 engine compatibility
Hey guys! Yeah, my power was out, but it was nice! About turning the piston 180 degrees. Ford uses the same piston for a number of engines, but like mattBarksdale said, the pin is off-set a few thou. of an inch. In the case of your engine, if the cylinder is scored and you don't want to pull the engine just to bore out one cylinder, turn the piston. That'll give you a few thou. to get away with just a simple honing.
But, if there's NO scoring, you don't have to worry about it. Just hone it and add new rings like c_rossman suggested.
We'll talk with you guys later....
But, if there's NO scoring, you don't have to worry about it. Just hone it and add new rings like c_rossman suggested.
We'll talk with you guys later....
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 250
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From: South Carolina
302 engine compatibility
Ok, I can't stand it anymore....I have been hoping to see an explanation that made sense to me, but I haven't yet so I guess I'll ask. Ok this turning the piston thing.....When you say you will pick up a few thous..the only thing you are gonna do is offset the rod in the bore a few thous. If the cylinder is scratched or scored, and you hone it, it does not matter if you put the piston and its new rings in upside down, the score or scratch is still there. That being said, I hope there is some part of this that you can explain alittle more in detail to me. Thanks in advance. Hippie
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 870
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From: Upstate NY Rochester
302 engine compatibility
For the rest of you.... Since the piston will be turned, the off-set will prevent the scoring from damaging the new rings. The piston is shaped for installing one way in the 302. If it is installed 180, there will be a slight slap, because the clearance has been altered. The rod will not be affected as HippieCustoms has stated. You're turning the piston only. The same reason as the reply above, but put into more sentences so that others could understand it.
Has anyone heard about being able to time each cylinder individually either?
Just more to think About....
Has anyone heard about being able to time each cylinder individually either?
Just more to think About....
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: South Carolina
302 engine compatibility
Ok, I guess I worded that wrong. Rod attached to the crank won't move. Position of rod under the piston is altered. That is what causes the slap. Ok I am with you there, now, How is it that a piston that is now slapping around in the cylinder is going to stop new rings from being damaged by a scored cylinder Scooter? The rings make full contact with the cylinder, well except for the ring gap, I guess if I don't metion that I will get called out on it. How is it that the score is not going to be affected by the rings? Or the rings by the score? Look long story short, if the cylinder is damaged, it should be repaired, meaning if it won't hone out, bore it. Creating piston slap by installing somthing WRONG won't give the trucks owner anything except a noisy engine that won't last anyway.........Now I didn't mean to turn this into a P...ing contest, but that was one of the craziest things I had ever heard, and if you know or have some literature that will explain it to me in a way better than you are, I would love to see it. I just don't see how it will do anything. Hippie.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 250
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From: South Carolina
302 engine compatibility
Ok so I got to check on this some more. The offset of the pin IS to the exhaust side, so turning the piston 180 deg will take the offset to the intake side. This is moving the end of the rod to a different location in the bore. Just figured I would straighten that out, Scooter.