Weighing options here and would appreciate some feedback.

My 87s 300 has a probable Collapsed Lifter and Low Oil Pressure.

The Goal here is to get this trucking running as Cheap as possible ($300-400 budget) and make it into a RELIABLE Winter commuter/work truck.

Here's my Options so far...

1) Replace the bad lifter. What to do about the Oil Pressure >>

2) Rebuild the Shortblock. Cost ??

3) Install a 85k mile 300. Buy for around (~$300)

4) Just found a 73 F100 (parts truck) good running 302-2V, headers, C4 transmission. Buy for (~$200)

Whatcha think ??

 

Of those options installing the 85k mile 300 is probably your best bet. An engine is rarely worth opening up unless you are doing a complete rebuild, which will be over your budget. The 302 might be OK, but if you get the truck for $200 you will probably spend at least that much more getting the swap done. You could use the trans from the 300 with the 302 and make it easier, and with a parts truck you can probably make some money selling off some of the parts you don't need.

 

Roger that SS.

What all would I be looking at in a Conversion to a '73' 302 ??

 

You've got to have the frame stands for a V8, the ones from the 73 may or may not work with the 87 frame. If you have to buy the proper stands for an 87 w/V8 you will also have to buy the appropriate motor mounts. If you retain the trans from the 300 you will need a flywheel/flexplate for the 302 that will work with that trans. If you use the C4 you might need a different crossmemeber. I believe the inlet and outlet on the radiators are on different sides as well, so that would have to be addressed. If the 87 is fuel injected you will have to modify the fuel system to be carburetor friendly which would entail a new pickup and sender assembly for the tank at a minimum, a new tank, lines, etc. at most. You will also need brackets to mount the accesories from the 300 to the 302, there were some changes made between 73 and 87. The existing 302 alternator and P/S pump may not agree with the electrical system and P/S system on the 87. You will also have to rewire the ignition system to work with the system on the 302. I could go on and on about the possibilities, but when you are engine swapping there are ALWAYS things that come up that you don't expect. Most of them will be fairly minor, but those add up in a hurry and it only takes one major setback for the project to get out of hand.

 

don't even bother with the big stuff quite yet. do the free stuff first. check out that lifter is it the problem or is it the oil pump. check your oil sending unit it might of gone bad on you giving bad readings. your gauge could be shot check with a hand held. your engine can go a long way before it dies so check yhe little stuff first because most of the repairs can be done with the motor in the truck. you can also change the oil pump in the truck while the motors still in but it's twice the work.

 

Good points guys! I appreciate your inputs!

 

by the way why go to all the trouble trying to swap motors when you're on a budget. any time you try something that major it always goes wrong. you got a six thats sick find the prob before you get to far down the wrong path. for all you know that $200 could get it like new.

 

If the 85K 300 is in good running condition, than that is a good bet (the old engine is full of spare parts that you may need). Anything else would put you way over your budget.

As far as your potential swap to a 302 I have a few comments.

1 - I feel that in the older days they made engines better, however, an engine that old will need maintenance on a regular bases, unless the person you are buying it off of put a LOT of new parts into it.

2 - An engine that old may or may not burn the valves out of it running on unleaded fuel.

3 - I did a swap in my truck. EFI 302 to a carbed 300. Trust me, switching engines is one thing, switching engine management systems (fuel and ignition) is another, but you may find yourself pulling out your hair and crying like a baby if you attempt to tackle both at the same time. Just when you think that you've got it, something else turns up. My truck was down for over a week when I did the origional swap, and there was many miles and many months of drive and tune, drive and tune to follow.

If your budget is $400 and you buy the old truck for $200, you don't have much budget left. You don't want to get another motor half in and run out of coin.

 

More good points!

 

What's a fair price to pay for a Used 300ci ???

 

My question is what do you want? Either one sounds good but what do you want? 300 if the new one needs help you could combine yours and surely have one good motor. The 302 if you get the whole truck then it should drop in. Do a compression or leakdown test if it is good why not do a re-ring rebuild and go with it if everything checks out. Like everyone said and can't stress enough is if you go to tinkering your gonna go over budget somewhat. Sounds like you have two good options and one big desicion, boils down to what do you want? good luck