rebuild or replace

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 4, 2004 | 10:43 AM

jonnysteals

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 137

Likes: 0

rebuild or replace

I got a 1988 Ford F-150 4x4 with the 302 fuel injected motor. It has 255,000 mile which was all babied highway miles by my father. He went and got a new superduty f250 and gaveme his old truck. With this many miles should i rebuild the existing motor get another fro a junk yard and rebuild it or swap in a 289 HO i have in my 62 Falcon. The motor is not the original to the falcon not sure what year it is. What should i do rebuild the motor tranny and tcase or junk it all and get another car from the junk yard and put it the F-150

Jun 4, 2004 | 06:52 PM

speedyredford

Junior User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 60

Likes: 0

Well, this is pretty much up to you, but If it were me, I would try everything to stay with fuel injection, so try to stick with a 302 to avoid any problems that might occur, even though the 289 is very similar, you never know. I would think that rebuilding the engine that is already in there would be best, as it's the same as getting one from a junkyard, without the base cost of the engine and no knowledge of previous care. Tranny's are pretty expensive to rebuild, but then again you never know what your getting from a junkyard, and the t-case, I'd say go for that one yourself, there much simpler than a tranny, and if you mess up... it's back to the junkyard again.
Again, this is up to you, hope I've been of help.

Good Luck.

Jun 4, 2004 | 09:49 PM

Trail Rider II

Senior User

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 132

Likes: 0

From: Arkansas

289 in the Falcon may be 5 bolt bellhousing. Ford changed the bellhousing bolt pattern in 65, you may just have a 260 or even 221 in the Falcon. The 302 parts will fit the 221-302 motors, heads, intakes etc.

Pull yours and rebuild it, you can even go up on cam specs. stick with a Competition Cams for speed density controlled engine. Boost your hp greatly!!! and maybe mileage if you can keep your foot out of it.

Jun 5, 2004 | 08:44 AM

HardScrabble

Temporarily Deactivated

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 1,859

Likes: 2

What are the compression readings on your engine? Does it burn oil or smoke? Does your truck have to pass emissions inspections ?

Jun 7, 2004 | 12:17 PM

jonnysteals

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 137

Likes: 0

I dont know the compression reading but it runs fine it doesnt smoke it does burn oil in the fact that it need a new set of valve covers but i just dont have the time to put them in and it doesnt have to pass the emission on the count that it just passed.

Jun 7, 2004 | 12:37 PM

bigjack

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 626

Likes: 0

From: N Ga. Mountains

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnysteals

If you don't have time to replace valve cover gaskets how are you going to find the time to rebuild or swap an engine. If it runs fine my philosophy is if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Jun 7, 2004 | 01:04 PM

moose94

Posting Guru

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 1,311

Likes: 0

From: Quispamsis, N.B, Canada

Dude. If it was me I'd go to a 351 with a nice 5 speed tranny. Even if it has stock tires, a 351 is a better truck engine. That's what I want in my truck at least.