Rebuild Or Replace 302
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 232
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From: SW Washington, USA
Rebuild Or Replace 302
92 F-150 extra cab 4x4 169000 mi.
I bought this in early feb and it ran really well with a small exhaust leak. Well the check engine light came on and so I checked the codes several times and it said coolant temp sensor and the parts store said it doesn't have one so my Husband swore I did it wrong and the next week before he was able to check it overheated badly. The back pressure caused the water resevoir to back and was at a rolling boil. The temp gauge read on the R of NORMAL. So waited for it to cool off and drove it home about 20 miles and it died in the drive way. I found out after it overheated and the mechanic thinking I would be lucky and it would only be a waterpump. So it sat a while until my Husband had time to change the waterpump which was rusted on and 4 of the 7 bolts broke. A Omen right there
. And that was wrong and so we went on to the head gasket and guess what not that either, it turns out that it has a damaged piston. It looks as if a chunk fell off of it. Any way I was told we can rebuild that one or buy a crate engine 302 small block from Schucks for $722 and resurface my heads and so on. What would you think?
I at loss I really can't afford anything. We will have to sell our 3rd rig a 91 Bronco II which is a bummer cuz we really like it. I just like my F-150 better.
Thanks,
Kallie
I bought this in early feb and it ran really well with a small exhaust leak. Well the check engine light came on and so I checked the codes several times and it said coolant temp sensor and the parts store said it doesn't have one so my Husband swore I did it wrong and the next week before he was able to check it overheated badly. The back pressure caused the water resevoir to back and was at a rolling boil. The temp gauge read on the R of NORMAL. So waited for it to cool off and drove it home about 20 miles and it died in the drive way. I found out after it overheated and the mechanic thinking I would be lucky and it would only be a waterpump. So it sat a while until my Husband had time to change the waterpump which was rusted on and 4 of the 7 bolts broke. A Omen right there
. And that was wrong and so we went on to the head gasket and guess what not that either, it turns out that it has a damaged piston. It looks as if a chunk fell off of it. Any way I was told we can rebuild that one or buy a crate engine 302 small block from Schucks for $722 and resurface my heads and so on. What would you think?I at loss I really can't afford anything. We will have to sell our 3rd rig a 91 Bronco II which is a bummer cuz we really like it. I just like my F-150 better.
Thanks,
Kallie
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 561
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From: houston
If you are going to leave everything stock, I would give a lot of thought to a crate motor. First, there is the time factor. You could be back on the road in a weekend. Also there is whatever warranty comes with it. It sounds like you got really hot and this can cause damage that is not always obvious at first. Just my opinion. Good luck.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 79
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From: NC
I second that thought for going for a crate engine. I've suffered from the same fate in a car I once owned, and decided to have mine rebuilt. I asked around town here to find the "best" deal around and most people suggested a local mechanic who did "good" work. Well after he had my car for over a month, he finally said to come and pick it up. Drove it for about 45 miles and it died on the hwy. He came and picked it up after several calls, kept it at his garage for another 3 weeks and finally said it was ready to go. It never died again, but always ran hot and was very tempermental. So much for his warranty! I sold it shortly after this.
Looking back on it now, I should have gone with a crate motor and have peace of mind knowing that it came with a warranty that would be backed up.
Looking back on it now, I should have gone with a crate motor and have peace of mind knowing that it came with a warranty that would be backed up.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
This question sounds an awful lot like one in the 302 Forum.
Crate engines are great except when you get one that is bad. It is even worse when you get two in a row that are bad. I had to swap two bad 4.9's in my old F-150 due to one burning two quarts of oil in 1000 miles and the other burning anti-freeze. The warranty paid for the new motors and they gave me $420 for each swap but it was a major PITA.
Not trying to scare you but IMA, a good local motor rebuilder beats an assembly line crate motor. A reputable local guy should give you a good warranty.
Crate engines are great except when you get one that is bad. It is even worse when you get two in a row that are bad. I had to swap two bad 4.9's in my old F-150 due to one burning two quarts of oil in 1000 miles and the other burning anti-freeze. The warranty paid for the new motors and they gave me $420 for each swap but it was a major PITA.
Not trying to scare you but IMA, a good local motor rebuilder beats an assembly line crate motor. A reputable local guy should give you a good warranty.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,568
Likes: 1
From: Middleton, ID
There's also the chance that a local salvage yard'll have a nice used engine for a little less. Only a 30 day warranty, I've never had a problem with my junkyard motors, but that doesn't mean much
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 271
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buddy of mine bought a 302 from kragen and put it in and it never really ran right... you never quite know what your getting when you buy a rebuilt engine... unless that is you do it yourself... if you had a car to drive around for the mean time I suggest rebuilding it yourself...
On the other hand I personally didnt have the time to rebuild it myself and dropped a used 302 into my truck... it purrs beautifully so far... (Only had it in for about a week now) and it came with a 30 day warranty for 500 $ Plus I didnt have to give them my core! SO now I got a 302 in my garage to rebuild for later.
On the other hand I personally didnt have the time to rebuild it myself and dropped a used 302 into my truck... it purrs beautifully so far... (Only had it in for about a week now) and it came with a 30 day warranty for 500 $ Plus I didnt have to give them my core! SO now I got a 302 in my garage to rebuild for later.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
stay clear of shmucks engines they are crap.
I had the same problem like you did with my old 302. so i went down to the local wrecking yard and picked up a used 351w that had 80kmiles and 170 compression on all 8clynders for $800 bucks. this motor was complete from upper intake to oil pan and swaped right in to my full size bronco. only had to change the flexplate and Exhaust Y pipe. ive had this motor in my bronco now for 2yrs and it runns so much better and gets the same mpg as the 302 did but 40lbs torque more. i would for sure go the junkyard route first for cheapest and easiest . otherwise check out on the web some other engine builders that offer better motors then your shmucks. only chain motor i would ever run would be a napa motor because most have inhouse machine shops
I had the same problem like you did with my old 302. so i went down to the local wrecking yard and picked up a used 351w that had 80kmiles and 170 compression on all 8clynders for $800 bucks. this motor was complete from upper intake to oil pan and swaped right in to my full size bronco. only had to change the flexplate and Exhaust Y pipe. ive had this motor in my bronco now for 2yrs and it runns so much better and gets the same mpg as the 302 did but 40lbs torque more. i would for sure go the junkyard route first for cheapest and easiest . otherwise check out on the web some other engine builders that offer better motors then your shmucks. only chain motor i would ever run would be a napa motor because most have inhouse machine shops
