I need more power
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Shelby Ohio
I need more power
I have a 1995 F150 Supercab with a 302 V8. It has am automatic transmission and i believe 3.55 gears.... Beside from getting a bigger engine what are some cheap buys for horespower or torque.... I pull a 4000 pound trailer everyday in the summer and it seems to lag a little
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Ocala, Florida
Get new rear end gears, just like Kemicalburns said. Change the front also if you have 4 wheel drive. I would find some good used GT-40 heads for cheap. Headers of the full length variety (if emissions are not a concern).
When you replace the timing chain make sure that you line the 2 dots up that are on the crank and cam sprockets BEFORE you remove them. That is the best and most important tip that I can give on that job.
When you replace the timing chain make sure that you line the 2 dots up that are on the crank and cam sprockets BEFORE you remove them. That is the best and most important tip that I can give on that job.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Shelby Ohio
i would consider dropping in a 5.8 but im not sure what all i would have to change like computer and engine mounts..... My engine i have now has 146,000 miles on it... It knocks during start up when it is cooled... Should i spend money on it or wait till it goes and get a new engine
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
I dont beleive the 300 would do a better towing job than the 302.
I would swap the gears, even if a 5.8 goes in.
I would swap the gears, even if a 5.8 goes in.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Ocala, Florida
Indeed it will, but that is a matter of preferance. A lot of people will tell you the same. The six cylinder engine produces more torque on the bottom end than the 302. Hence it will get the load moving better.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bend,OR
yea a 300-6 will out tow a 302 untill around 3000rpms then it falls on its face.
the 302-351 swap is easy as pie. if you can find a complete junkyard 351w efi your almost done. you reuse your 302 engine harness and motor mounts and accessory brackets to finish it up. you will also need your Y pipe redone a little by an exhaust shop but thats cheap. since your 302 is mass air you will use the same computer .
the 302-351 swap is easy as pie. if you can find a complete junkyard 351w efi your almost done. you reuse your 302 engine harness and motor mounts and accessory brackets to finish it up. you will also need your Y pipe redone a little by an exhaust shop but thats cheap. since your 302 is mass air you will use the same computer .
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,162
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From: House Springs, MO
Stick with your 302 till it dies, then upgrade to a 351. Swap gears in the meantime to either 3.73 (acceptable) or 4.10 (preferable). A loose timing chain WILL account for decreased power. Get a good set of timing gears to replace the chain. Not a tough job, just give it a little while.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
if your gonna do gears think future mods. like if you ever plan to lift it and run a 35" tire you will want a 4.56 gears . a gear swap is expensive just like a new motor but its not something you want to do again in a year or two because you went to a larger tire. the gears will get you what you want though that is for sure
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Houston U.S.
There's an easy way to tell if your timing chain has slack in it, take a large rachet and socket and attach to the bolt on the crankshaft oulley, then remove your distributor cap. The move the rachet back and forth and see how much slack is between the movement of the distributor rotor. As far as that knocking when starting up cold, could be a stopped up pump screen or a worn oil pump that takes awhile to get the oil flowing. I would just rebuild that 302 if it were me, a 302 makes a good truck engine. Try flushing that engine out with a gallon of diesel, sometimes that unclogs pump screens that are sluged up.
Janet
Janet
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Sweden
Originally Posted by RangerTuff05
i have been told that my timing chain is loose. could this be a cause for the lack of power. if so how difficult is it to replace... any tips would be nice
Unfortunately it is not easy to replace, you have to go through a whole lot of crap to get the timing cover off. Book shows like 50 steps and there are no real shortcuts, but nothing that requires special skills or a special tool other than the harmonic balancer puller.
You want to replace the water pump, thermostat, and radiator hoses at this time if they're old. Also if the balancer has the rubber squishing out of it you want to replace that too.
Not nearly as much work as replacing with a 351w but it's a lot. With a swap, you need a bunch of 351w parts that won't come with a rebuilt engine, so you may want to get an engine out of a junkyard but this brings up the obvious possibility you might be installing a piece of junk.
Last edited by Dannym; Mar 1, 2005 at 03:12 AM.