Yes, I've driven a Camaro with a 302, and it's a dog until the rpm's are up a little. I don't understand what people see in the 300 either. Both of mine were the most anemic truck I have ever driven. Put the correct gears behind a 302 Ford, and it blows away a 300. Check the torque and horsepower ratings for a 302 compared tp a 300. Surprise. The 302 wins both ways. So try to tell me that the torque comes in at a lower rpm? SO WHAT. The correct gears behind the 302 negate that advantage. If you want a truck that acts like a tractor......Slow and power band at low rpm's, then buy a 300. If you want an engine that will pull my 7000 pound boat and triple axle trailer, go down the interstate at 120 if I want to, and get 20+ miles per gallon (not all at the same time), then buy a 302.

 

Driven both the GM 302 and Ford 302. I would have to disagree that the GM would annihilate the Ford. It could depend on the vehicle you have each in, the tranny and gear ratios. But so far, all the GM 302's I've driven have been dogs. While I have yet to have any problems with the 3 302's I've owned in my time (95 F-150, 99 Explorer, 88 Stang). Can't speak for them all, but the Ford 302's I've driven have been more reliable and powerful then any of my friends GM's. Don't have the Stang or 95 F-150 anymore, but both were over 175K miles when I sold them. No problems with any of them, except for the normal wear items (oil, plugs, filters, tires, etc.).

 

To be fair, you would have to compare apples and apples, meaning the Chevy 302 and the Ford Boss 302. Any guesses on who wins in that comparison?

 

I would like to clear up some things i keep hearing here. Folks it's not all about Horsepower, it's about how something is geared for what application you use it for, and the lower end strength. Plus i keep hearing that 302 Ford engines aren't good for trucks. say what??? I've owned several and they were wonderfull and had more than enough power, one was in a 72 Ford pickup, with a C4 automatic, and eight foot bed, Hah! These aren;t good for trucks?? (the ford 302?) Oh yes they are too. And speaking of the 300 CI inline ford six, naope, i believe the 223 was much better in the earlier trucks. A 302 could be made good for anything at all, if you use the proper gear ratio setup. You have to seperate and eplain, is it racing you're talking about? Or torque? Or what? But a 302 Ford, can be good for any kind of a pickup, even a one ton!!

Janet

 

we had a 1 ton with a 351w (just a few more cubes) it had 4.10's and would pull almost anything.

 

I noticed some people mention that the stock 302 heads are depremental (spelling) to a 302's power output. The Boss 302 had heads that were good for racing but too large for the street (under 3000rpm). Just wanted to throw out a little fact about 2vClevland heads, they are worth 40hp on a 302, the same as a set of GT 40X heads. Early 400 ford heads are near identical and flow nearly the same on the exhaust. For a giggle price the diffrence between the two heads and you come up with a rough cost for the manifold and cam with the 400 heads and well just the heads with the GT 40X.

IE. old school clevors can astound people, that have never drove one that pulls 7000rpm, with the performance they can provide when properly set up.

(my grammer is so bad in that last statment I can almost live with my spelling)

P.S. A certain company that does 5-axis cnc machining, I won't mention names, can port a 351m/400 Cleveland 2v head to flow up to 255cfm on the intake and keep the exhaust in the proper ratio range. They can port Cleveland 4v heads all the way up too 300+cfm. The cost is cheaper for a ready to run race 4V head than a bare wizz bang aftermarket race head, though a loss of 40lbs helps the weazer heads, and easier parts interchangeability (if thats a word?). How much flow do you need, check the power potential for a set of ported 2V heads and figure the rpm's to digets that kind of fuel/air ect. ect. Do the math and canted valve heads, that make the big blocks the formadable force (sorry FE Lovers) they are,can also work on a SBF.( the 385 series gets the knod on bore to valve ratio wich helps also)

Fear begins with FE, yeah when I think of the price of fuel, and the copious amounts they drink! (chuckle..chuckle)

P.S.S I apologize for my ranting and horrible spelling

 

I have a 1990 F150 with 133,000 miles, and pull a 4500 boat & trailer all summer long in the Ozarks. It has been a great engine.

 

FEar the FE it kicks butt, and lets God sort them out later.

 

Exactly. Of the two Ford pichups i've owned, one was a 67 ford f150 ranger, all stock, and the other was a 71 f150 71 fl50, Both had eight foot beds. They are for a fact. speaking of the 289 and 302, great and wonderfull for stock f150 eight foot pickups. Now grasp this one. in 1997 i bought that eight bed pickup with th. and that thing even kicked tail of 302 eight foot bed with a V6 , take note, it only was great as a cruiser on the highway, but kicked in the quarter , these are living it, and not some specs either. Now John Incerta, bougt a 302 V8 extended cab ford f150 light blue contrasted with dark blue (extended cab too)!!!!! and was pulling really long goose neck trailer trailer, loaded with chemical pipefiffiting parts (heavy stufff!!!), with auromatic transmission, every day on a Houston to Austin trip round trip daily, and it still runs and looks new new too. Action speaks louder than specs and words. Now take my 1968 ford f150 with a 360 V8, checked to the bone, that wimp couodn't pull the had off your head, ony at high speeds, but at lower speeds the 360 killed that little automatic. Tyhese aren't specs, just living it folks.


Janet

 

I have a 89 F150, super cab, long box, 4X4, It is greatly under powered, at 140000 miles, I have replaced two cracked heads and one piston, This truck is not overworked! I admit it runs pretty good, when it is running!!!
The 300 6 cyl is a much better motor.
I will not buy another ford 302!!! I would buy another ford though.

Just my opinion.

Tom
89 F150
94 Exploder
76 corvette
86 Nissan Hard body
84 Goldwing
I think thats all!!!!