I recently picked up a 1980 F-150 Custom. It has the 4.9 I6 with a 3 speed auto tranny. I want to swap out the engine with minimal customization to engine mounts/etc. is the windsor 302 small block my best bet or are there other options out there? I’m a little new to the restoration/auto mechanic scene but I’m learning as I go.
-edit
I guess should have clarified. This isn’t a restoration to sell and profit. It’s more of a project truck for me. My end goal with this truck is to restore the old body look she once had while giving her some more power than the I6 has to offer. I won’t be selling it it’s gonna be my personal baby for the very foreseeable future. I do at some point in the next year or upcoming years manual swap the transmission as that’s what I love to drive but that’s a different beast to kill for a later time

 

Thats kinda a big open ended question. It depends on what you are expecting out of it. Are you intending to flip it, sell it as just a truck, a for profit restoration, or keep it for your own desires. First you will need to answer that question.
For “Just a truck” the 351w is probably the prefered engine to the masses.
a “for profit restoration” will require you to keep it as close to original as possible, the Straight 6 has a dedicated group of fans, but it is a relatively small fan base. (Of which i am a part of).
To “keep it for your own”, any small block or the straight 6 will meet your needs, and the costs will end up close to the same. So pick your flavor and go for it.

 

Ok, im reading that is you want to swap to a V8, but dont want to use a lot of custom parts, or have to fab a lot of stuff. Personally in my book unless your going to do engine mods, the 302 is a lateral swap. Stock, to stock your just not gaining a lot. Good thing is the 302, and 351W engines use the same mounts, and bolt up to the same tranny, and they are common out there so finding stock mounts, and stuff will be easy. The 351W in my opinion is the perfect all around engine for these trucks. Most of the trucks made had one or the other. Best bet is fining a parts truck with a 302 or 351W, and using the parts.

 

I am with Denzil what is the final end product you want as they will give you a path to follow.
The 300 six is not a bad motor as it gets the job done just slower.
If you look at the output of the 300 and the 302 (btw a300 is a 302 also but could not have 2 - 302's) is just about the same just the 302 does it at a higher RPM so you dont gain anything.
If wanting a v8 look for a 351W and yes the 302 frame mounts is what you would need as the six ones will not work.

Any of the SBF (small block ford) motors 300 / 302 / 351, will bolt to your transmission.
You will need to swap out the radiator as the hoses are on different sides and may need to go larger?
Wiring will need to be made longer & shorter from the 300 to the v8.
Throttle cables are different and then you need to deal with the kick down linkage as the 300 will not work on the v8. Dont trash the 300 kick down as they are hard to come by and might be able to sell it.

If you plan to just cruise around and hit a show or cars & coffee there is nothing wrong with the 300 and you would be the only one with a six as EVERYONE HAS A V8!
If you plan to load the truck up the 300 has more TQ down low that the 302 and maybe the 351?
My 81 F100 has a 300 with granny 4sp and I use it to pull the car clubs 20' enclosed trailer to shows we host, not fast but gets the job done.

You can hop up the 300 if you want. I run the factory carb & intake with 87> EFI exhaust manifolds, they flow better, and larger 94 F150 pipes. I was looking for MPG over speed / power.
Others replace the factory stuff with aftermarket intake, carb or EFI and run either the EFI manifolds or headers.
They say changing them gives the motor a lot more power.

I love my 300 and it dose what I need it to do and hardly anyone has a six at shows
Dave ----

 

To the meat of the matter, you will need new frame brackets for the 302. The 300 six brackets will not work. Some people call these brackets "frame perches". These are not the motor mounts you can buy in the store.

Your 302 must have a rear sump oil pan to fit in these trucks, no matter if it's 2wd or 4x4. Along with the rear sump pan you will need a oil pump extension and a main cap support stud for the extension. You will need exhaust manifolds that fit these trucks, and then the stock y-pipe wil fit. You can get manifolds and the y-pipe from the store.

The 302 will bolt to the 300 six transmission. You will need a flywheel or flexplate for the 302, the 300 six will not work. Be careful with the flywheel. If you get a 1981 or older 302, you need a 28oz inbalance flywheel. If you get a 1982 or later 302 you need a 50 oz inbalance flywheel.

If you hunt up the proper thermostat housing for the upper radiator hose, you can buy a stock 302 radiator hose and it will fit. I believe also you will need to buy a new radiator made for the 302.

These trucks came from the factory with the 302 as a option. So the store should have most normal parts. You may have to hunt around and get used frame perches.