Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

70s ish 302

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 5, 2021 | 08:29 PM
  #1  
jakob Battershell's Avatar
jakob Battershell
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
70s ish 302

So I’ve been trying to figure out a problem with my 302 (not very experienced). The problem is it doesn’t keep oil pressure. I’ll start it and it’ll climb and hold a little over half but as it warms up it’ll drop and when idling it will drop below low. I replaced the oil pump and screen and it helped a little bit as in it doesn’t drop as fast but still does it and I’m just curious what the problem might be.
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2021 | 08:36 PM
  #2  
85e150's Avatar
85e150
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,491
Likes: 2,806
Club FTE Gold Member
You should connect a real oil pressure gauge to it and see what you oil pressure really is. The OEM gauge is almost an "on off" type.

What weight oil? How many miles? Any blue clouds, fouled plugs etc?

It's normal for oil pressure to drop once the oil is hot. The key here is to determine the actual numbers and make sure you have adequate pressure.

Don't plumb it in or run plastic tubing into the interior, just thread it in where the OEM sender is.

 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2021 | 09:09 PM
  #3  
jakob Battershell's Avatar
jakob Battershell
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
302

Well the spark plugs and wires are all brand new when we replaced the valve covers (cracked) we noticed the engine was full of carbon and tried cleaning as much as we could. But I can tell the oil pressure is dropping below a normal amount because the engine starts idling different like it’s stuttering is the best I can describe it and has a very quiet tick that goes away once it revs back up it also seems to burn oil it currently has 5w30 but it has done it with every oil we have put in it. The miles is unknown we assume it’s a late 60s to early 70s bronco 302 in a 1973 f350 the miles on the truck though is probably around 178,000
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2021 | 11:30 PM
  #4  
85e150's Avatar
85e150
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,491
Likes: 2,806
Club FTE Gold Member
If you have 10psi per 1000 rpm it won't blow up. Usually.

Pull the cap off the distributor. Rotate the engine by hand until you see the rotor move.

Reverse the rotation and note how many degrees of crankshaft rotation you have before the rotor starts to move in the reverse direction.

You may have a worn out (well, more worn out than the rest of the motor) timing chain. That will cause a wandering idle.
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2021 | 09:27 AM
  #5  
5851a's Avatar
5851a
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,029
Likes: 891
From: East Central Ia
I did a backyard overhaul on a 78 302 once. Didn't have much money at the time and thrust bearing surface went out on crank. Pulled engine and put on stand.Never took the heads off just replaced valve stem seals then pulled pan and front cover, pulled crank out replaced it with junkyard one, new bearings and timing chain with crank seals. Drove it another 100K. Dropping a crank into an engine with all the pistons and rods in is best done with a helper.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Stephen67
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
4
Nov 4, 2016 06:57 AM
NorthEastTexasHog
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Dec 18, 2015 01:07 AM
86stepsideF150
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
5
Oct 24, 2007 07:21 PM
shotgun1987
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Jan 3, 2005 04:02 PM
Dannym
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
11
Aug 5, 2004 05:52 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:45 AM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE