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I’m starting the build on my 79 explorer which was a pretty rare truck in these parts. Everyone has been drooling over it since most trucks around my area were just customs and plain as could be. Someone set a motor in it but didn’t hook it up, has valve covers with 5 bolt holes so I’m thinking it’s an FE motor but I want a 302 since it came with one from the factory. What’s a good option for a complete ready to go crate engine that won’t break the bank? And how much should I be looking to spend on it realistically. Also on a side not, it doesn’t have the key but I hope a locksmith can make me a new one.
You can just replace the key switch cheap and easy.
Is the engine bolted up or just setting there ? and FE never came in a '79 so a 385 series would be the logical upgrade maybe you're lucky and that's what you have.
By crate engine do you mean quality performance rebuilt or an exchange engine from Mexico ? personally I'd get a core and build what you want.
IF you can find a usable 302 from the latest model Mustang or Exploder to sport one, you will get a roller motor that will take a carb intake and give you almost twice the HP of the stock '79 302.
Swerving suggestion, and there is plenty on this in the SBF forum or every third post by @Conanski
It’s just sitting in there, I’ll have to see if I can find some identification numbers on it to see for sure but it’s definitely not the right motor. Someone swapped it in and didn’t even bolt anything down. I can either get a 302 locally and rebuild it but that would take time I don’t always have or I could go with something ready to go depending on the price.
Most of the exchange engines are junk I would avoid them, and they're all stock so it would be gutless. true crate engines will cost you more than rebuilding one, but some are really good engines. what do you want to spend the sky is the limit?
Chances are some dummy set a 460 in there figuring it would bolt up. it might have some value.
Rebuilding a big block right now to stock or mild performance specs will cost $3500 to $4500 done right. figure something in that range for your 302 I'd guess . a crate engine will cost more.
I do have a running 460 in another truck but was hoping to stick with a 302. I don’t wanna spend too much since I am hoping to get it on the road this summer. I might just have to swap the 460 in or see if I can find a 302 to rebuild.
X2 on get a lock smith key cut for the switch, should be cheaper than getting and swapping the complete ignition switch. Actually just getting and swapping the tumblers is easy...if you have a key. See if he can cut the ignition on one side and the door lock on the other. Explorer package you say.
It’s a 79 explorer with the cordovan vinyl and cloth, white with orange stripes. It’s mostly rust free and I was hoping it would be a 302 but I don’t think it is sadly, in a perfect world it would have the factory motor or a 300 but I’m not sure if the 300 was an option with this package and if I want to put a non original size in it
If it has 5 bolt valve covers it is an FE. Is it 2wd or is it 4wd? Is the engine in it bolted to the transmission in it, or even look like it will do so? Might be someone thought they could drop a 427 TP or 428 CJ in there and found then it wasn't such a simple swap and bailed out. 5 bolts sure ain't no 460. Might post a picture of the warranty plate on the driver door, might help figure what come in it.
2 bolts: "Y" Blocks
239/256/272/292/312 (produced from 1954 to 1964)
5 bolts: FE Series
332/352/360/361/390/391/406/410/427/428
It is a 5 bolt valve cover. I’ll grab some pictures tomorrow. It isn’t bolted down to the frame let alone the transmission. I have the C6 transmission presumably the original and the truck was originally a 302. The guy who sold it thought it was a 351/400 but that’s definitely not the case. I’m doubting it but hopefully they just used a 5 hole cover and it’s actually a 302 but I’ll find out. It’s got ford exhaust manifolds so I could trace the number on those assuming FE and 302’s don’t share manifolds
The FE will share nothing with any engine you might have had. forget that unless you really want a project.
If it was a 335 series you either have to go back there or upgrade to a 385 series .
The vin shows it as a 302 truck, I’m thinking someone just throw what they had laying around to help sell it. The body alone is worth what I paid for it so I’m not made about that but it would still have been nice if it had been the correct one. I’ll figure out tomorrow what it is and figure out what to do with it. Currently thinking of getting a 302 and rebuilding it or just buying one already done if I can find one in my budget of 2-4K
First of all, you need to figure out what's in there. If it's a FE/335/385 engine in there now, a 302/351 isn't just gonna bolt in, different engine mounts and different transmission bolt pattern are the 2 biggest differences.
I'd be looking on FB market and C-list for a running, take out 302 drivetrain from a 90's fox body Mustang, F150 or Explorer. Or a whole parts vehicle. IDK what it's like where you are, but there's enough people around me that's still into 80's/90's Mustangs/5.0s there still a good supply of parts around.
Since it won't be a numbers matching rebuild, you really should consider a 351W from the same era instead of a 302. There isn't a huge difference in fuel use, but you'll have a noticeable increase in power, even on a stock rebuild. Most people won't be able to tell the difference unless they know what to look for
