What is it with the 5.0/302...?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Shell Knob, MO
What is it with the 5.0/302...?
Most threads in this part of the forum seem to involve performance and maintenance problems with the 302. Not the engine itself, but the emissions, sensors, etc. that Ford added to it. I don't hear or see the complaints about 351Ws or sixes to the same extent. Were there 'good' and 'bad' years for this engine - and for what reason?
From what I'm reading here, I'm beginning to get discouraged about my '89 302EFI Bronco I picked up in February. I've still got a lot of work to do getting it to run right. I'm beginning to think I've made a mistake
From what I'm reading here, I'm beginning to get discouraged about my '89 302EFI Bronco I picked up in February. I've still got a lot of work to do getting it to run right. I'm beginning to think I've made a mistake
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,143
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I wouldn't fret about the EFI 302. Reason I ask the Q's I do is because the guy that overhauled my trucks' engine did a bad job. The EFI 302 in my '88 Grand Marquis is the best motor I've ever come across. 158,000+ miles and only minor repairs (water pump, radiator, heater core, etc.). The 302's (in my opinion) are tough, durable motors.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
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I agree with 88grandmarquis, I would not get discouraged right away. I have a 4.9 truck and quite frankly, I have had more trouble than I care to mention with the sensors and emissions system. One reason you might not see much mentioned about efi 351w engines, if I am not mistaken, they did not put them in as many vehicles, I know since I can remember they have been few and far between in vehicles I have looked at. I purchased the only ford truck I have ever seen with a 351w engine and it was carbed at that, trust me I have looked. Who knows? Good luck with your truck it'll come around eventually
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 602
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From: Huntersville
the 5.0 or 302 is one of the best engines ever built as far as I'm concerned. With the 351w a very close second place. I read a Ford Muscle site write up they did where they tore down a junk yard 5.0 with almost 200 k on it and the cylinders still had the crosshatch in them. not bad.
I had an 88 Lincoln Towncar with over 100k on it that ran like a new czr and got 23 mpg on a trip
Clint
I had an 88 Lincoln Towncar with over 100k on it that ran like a new czr and got 23 mpg on a trip
Clint
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Shell Knob, MO
I guess I'm spoiled. I've got about 725,000 on my '79 divided roughly half and half between a 351M and 400. YES, that '725' with three zeros.
I had over 120,000 on my '76 Torino 400 when, like a dummy, I traded it! I bought it new and while I had it, I only replaced the ignition module and the oil pump.
I'm still hangin' on to my '79 Bronco but I'll have to adjust my attitude 'sensor' for the '89.
I had over 120,000 on my '76 Torino 400 when, like a dummy, I traded it! I bought it new and while I had it, I only replaced the ignition module and the oil pump.
I'm still hangin' on to my '79 Bronco but I'll have to adjust my attitude 'sensor' for the '89.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Saskatoon
I would also say that the 302 is more common of an engine in the later years and also put them in cars. So if you hear about a problem with them its because there are so many more out there.
Everything has its problems with emissions because every engine responds differently to a performance mod. I guess I'm saying that superchips or K&N and all those companies can't really account for every vehicle out there. Some engines just don't respond well to them and end up having problems.
Everything has its problems with emissions because every engine responds differently to a performance mod. I guess I'm saying that superchips or K&N and all those companies can't really account for every vehicle out there. Some engines just don't respond well to them and end up having problems.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 301
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From: Saskatoon
Oh, I would never buy the 351 over the 302. I liked the one I had and it was very easy to find parts and mods. for it (and besides the mustang had it for a while also).
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Ocala, FL
I think that the small block Ford is one of the best v-8s ever made. All of them 289,302,351W are great in my book. A lot of people don't take into account when judging any engine is its application. The 302 works best in lighter vehicles {Mustangs and mid size Fords especially} put will still work good in 1/2 ton trucks and vans too. If you work your truck {lots of towing and heavy hauling} you will like the 351W better. I've pumped up the torque in many 302s for heavier use and they respond very well! The reason 300 six and 351W seem to work better in HD applications is longer stroke. Stroke =torque and more torque moves heavy loads better.
Don't get discouraged with your 302 Bronco, I pumped up the 302 in an '88 Bronco for one of my neighbors a few years ago and he still loves his little motor.
Tows his boat and runs MUCH better than stock!
Don't get discouraged with your 302 Bronco, I pumped up the 302 in an '88 Bronco for one of my neighbors a few years ago and he still loves his little motor.
Tows his boat and runs MUCH better than stock!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: nebraska
The 302 evolved I believe in the late 60s somebody can correct me on this. Ive had several ford vehicles with the 302 I cant complain. Have a 88 Grand Marquis with 95000 miles and a 96 F 150 with 120,000 miles both running strong as the day they were new. The biggest boost to the 302 was when they went to fuel injection in 1986. It really livened up that motor. It was like a night and day difference between carbureated and fuel injection.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Ocala, FL
I agree on the EFI!
EFI "livened up" nearly every older engine that it was fitted to! EFI really woke up the smaller engines as it gave them more torque than the carbed versions ever had. It is a lot easier {more effiecient too} to move dry air in a manifold and then inject the fuel right at the valve than carry suspended fuel all the way down! I have always liked the way a SBF is packaged, small and compact, you can swap it in nearly anything!
EFI "livened up" nearly every older engine that it was fitted to! EFI really woke up the smaller engines as it gave them more torque than the carbed versions ever had. It is a lot easier {more effiecient too} to move dry air in a manifold and then inject the fuel right at the valve than carry suspended fuel all the way down! I have always liked the way a SBF is packaged, small and compact, you can swap it in nearly anything!
Last edited by bobcatv8; Jun 21, 2004 at 10:05 PM.
Junior User
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I think the 302 is a *great* Car engine, Just not a very good truck engine. My F150 truck weighs in at 5600lbs (on a scale) Unloaded the 302 pulls the truck along fine. But add a trailer or put something heavy in the bed, and it is a dog. I can see this in a f150, but I can't belive they put the 302 in the f250's, f350's. What was ford thinking?
Doug
Doug
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,208
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The small block Ford started out in 1963 as a 221 cid motor there are 221 255 260 289 302 351W. I have 302's with over 200,000 miles only thing done to them is timing gear chain at 120,000 miles.
One of the biggest problems with Ford motors is the ecc systems especially the egr system Ford's egr control system really sucks.
One of the biggest problems with Ford motors is the ecc systems especially the egr system Ford's egr control system really sucks.
New User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Valdosta
I have a 1988 F150 with the EFI 302, and it has been AWESOME since I got it in August of last year. It is completely stock, and everything I have done to the motor was just simple maintenance. Never let me down.
However, I am considering swapping the stock heads for those on a Mustang from the same year, or close to it. Also considering having the gasket surfaces on the Mustang heads machined slightly to increase compression a little. In addition, swapping the stock intake for one from a Mustang as well. I want to keep the EFI, but I want a few more ponies under the hood. Anyone know if this would work, along with the Mustang computer?
AWESOME since I got it in August of last year. It is completely stock, and everything I have done to the motor was just simple maintenance. Never let me down.However, I am considering swapping the stock heads for those on a Mustang from the same year, or close to it. Also considering having the gasket surfaces on the Mustang heads machined slightly to increase compression a little. In addition, swapping the stock intake for one from a Mustang as well. I want to keep the EFI, but I want a few more ponies under the hood. Anyone know if this would work, along with the Mustang computer?
New User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 18
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From: Valdosta
Response to: "I think the 302 is a *great* Car engine, Just not a very good truck engine."
I don't want to sound like a bragger, but I used my truck at work one day, and needed to pull a 1,000 gallon tank full of water. Truck pulled it no problem, but my boss told me to stop because he was afraid I was going to twist the bumper off!!
I don't want to sound like a bragger, but I used my truck at work one day, and needed to pull a 1,000 gallon tank full of water. Truck pulled it no problem, but my boss told me to stop because he was afraid I was going to twist the bumper off!!