Yes, but the bolt pattern on it is different than a 385 series.

 

Ok I got you

 

I kind of went through this thought process with my 77 F100 with a 302/C4. My initial swap was going to be a 460 ("budget" 521), but life changed that plan and I ended up selling most of my accumulated 460 parts to fund some other things.

Swapping in a 460 is fairly simple, but you'll need a matching transmission for it as the SBF and BBF have different bellhousing patterns. You can either get factory 460 engine perches, so you can drop a 460 with stock motor mounts onto those and everything will sit in the bay like it came that way. Or, you can buy some swap motor mounts. 460efiguys sell swap motor mounts, so you can just use their motor mounts and drop a 460 onto your 302 engine perches. You'll need a complete accessory drive to go along with the 460 as well, the 302 stuff won't swap over.

It'd be easiest if you got a 460 and transmission together from a donor truck as it'd have everything you'd need; engine with the accessories, transmission with the tranny cross member, etc. I used to have a 2wd F150 with a factory 460, so I have all the parts from that truck to do the swap into my F100.

However, now that I'm not doing that swap, I found a guy parting out a 96 Explorer and bought the engine from him to give my 302 a nice bump in power until I can afford to do a BBF stroker swap down the road. I'll have to swap all the items @5851a mentioned, but only because I intend to use my factory accessories. If you choose to use the Explorer's accessories, which is an option, you wouldn't have to swap that stuff over except for maybe the oil pan and pickup tube as the Explorer 5.0 is rear sump and a factory dentside 302 oil pan is front sump. From what I've read online, it's a popular thing to swap the Explorer accessories on early Broncos with SBFs as the Explorer accessory drive is shorter and gives them more room between the engine and the radiator core support.

I currently use my F100 as a DD and it's definitely not a hot rod in the power department. It still has a 2bbl on it and I think these 302's came with maybe 130hp when new. It won't even spin a tire unless it's on water or ice, but the 2.75 rear gear doesn't help that either. However, an Explorer 5.0 put out 210hp from the factory and if you've ever seen their exhaust manifolds (go ahead and google them, lol), that's an amazing feat. I have an aftermarket cam to put into my Explorer 5.0 and I'll put some headers on as well and that should give an even nicer bump in power from that 210hp.

Anyway, I don't think you'll be disappointed with going to a "newer" 302 as long as you manage your expectations. I have a ~450hp 460 in my Bronco and I don't expect my "new" 302 to compare to it, but I personally don't need it to. It's still just going to be my A to B vehicle that I occasionally haul a few items with and maybe pull a small popup camper, which it's already capable of doing with that sad 130hp. Also, currently, my 2bbl 302 probably gets double the mpg that my Bronco does if that's a concern of yours.

 

You ever drive a 302 EFI from that era ? I had one I bought new. what a gutless POS I traded it off in a few months on a 351 HO. it got awful fuel milage, but it was usable. .

Set your expectations low and prepare to be let down .

 

You're such a buzzkill. lol. I don't see how anyone doubling their horsepower would be such a let down.

 

I would too.

 

Great line! I'm going to try and remember that one....

I hope I don't cross a forum rule when I say it made me think of our "leaders" in Washington D.C.!

 

If you’re willing to swap another 302 in, why not its bigger brother, a 351w?

The 1994-1997 351w (5.8L) are great roller-cam engines that will bolt directly in place of a 302.

They are tons of them available still, for just several hundred dollars.

All you need is a 4bbl aluminum intake and you’re good to go.

If you’re after power, I’d think you could easily make 350 + HP with headers, mild cam, GT40 heads….

 

When you say direct bolt-in, do you still have to change accesories, oil pan etc?

 

Being familiar with them, 400hp is easy on a stock 5.0 with just a small single turbo....I am really only looking for around 300 on motor.

 

I actually woke up this morning wondering if I could just get my block machined(if needed wbhich I am sure it is lol), and then add a nice cam and aluminum or GT40 heads to it and make any decent power.

At this point I am getting aggravated with all the searching and thinking. LOL

 

Well if we're talking turbo's and blowers this is another conversation. cheap and easy was where it started.

Buzzkill is another term for realist. a 80'-90's vintage 302 does not have twice the power his stock 302 has or even close. but it is an option, not a good one in my opinion because the gains are so minimal. opinions are what the OP asked for.

 

I appreciate the opinions too honestly. When I first got this truck back after selling it, 460 was my original plan. But it is starting to seem like maybe more than I bargained for. LOL

 

If you want a little more power but want to keep it simple and less expensive, I'd do a good 351W. if you're going to go farther than that the 460 makes the most sense.

There are many modern engine upgrades and some work great. but when you get into all the required electronics I back out. for someone with the dedication and ability to make it work it's certainly an option it's just not my thing.

 

So, I've got a balanced 429 (385 series) in my E250 Van, and yes, I Love it.
I've run 351w engines and Love em, both in boats (Kodiac Marine) and in Ford Vans (2).

Reading through this thread my opinion is go give Pick-n-Pull a visit and find a Van donor for 351w with auto od trans.
Gearing can really make a vehicle suck, so I'd be looking for a lower geared rear to possibly a 3.73 because of the new AOD set up w/ 351w.

Now, i do like the sheer grunt of the 429, but the Windsor engines are hard to beat for general all-round use and sprints.

In my F350 pickup longbed 4x, I pulled the 400m and installed a 300 inline six banger (mini-cummins-gasser) hahaha. It;s too small for an F350.
But the 300 is a dependable and willing workhorse. Was a hair-brained idea when I installed the 300, and all using factory pieces.
Some early '70;s F250 4x's may have had a 300 available as an option.

Oh, I forgot to mention cooling and radiator considerations.