Problems with 305 V8
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 772
Likes: 1
I agree that it is. There are millions out there and if they can withstand the mustang boys, then it must be a decent motor. I agree also, that it must have been put together wrong or bad parts. We have one at work with 256,000 miles and I have had many with little to no problems. The only major was a hairline crack across the #8 cylinder on the exhaust vavle.
Ford discontinued the motor for several reasons except for durability and problems.
Ford discontinued the motor for several reasons except for durability and problems.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
They made the 302 from the 60s up until 98. It is still offered by ford as a crate motor. The 302 is Ford's most popular engine ever, you'll be about 1 in 100 that think the 302 is a bad engine. It's not the longest lasting engine Ford ever built (the I-6 is), but it's a great motor. Sorry man, but you'll loose that arguement quickly (no offense).
If you're throwing rods, it's the engine builder, not the engine.
If you're throwing rods, it's the engine builder, not the engine.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by MustangGT221
They made the 302 from the 60s up until 98. It is still offered by ford as a crate motor. The 302 is Ford's most popular engine ever, you'll be about 1 in 100 that think the 302 is a bad engine. It's not the longest lasting engine Ford ever built (the I-6 is), but it's a great motor. Sorry man, but you'll loose that arguement quickly (no offense).
If you're throwing rods, it's the engine builder, not the engine.
If you're throwing rods, it's the engine builder, not the engine.
Yep, I've gotta agree. We've got a 87 F150 4x4 302 auto w/216,000 It's one of our work trucks (recently retired due to body cancer). It's been abused all it's life, ran almost out of oil on many occasions, over loaded constantly and still runs!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon
Defective Parts? Can't beat the 302 for durability (that is speaking v-8's) Going on 200,000 miles and only one cracked manifold (Ford was always bad for that).
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,558
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
Try re-routing the PCV valve. The vacuum line for the PCV goes mainly into the number 8 cylinder, and has been known to cause problems. I don't know that it causes these problems as rapidly as you describe, but it's something to think about.
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