I have a 1990 f150 4x4 single cab long bed with a 302 6 in lift and 33's. I have allready done Intake, headers, flowmaster muffler, electric fan, and a bigger radiator. But I still feel like I am lacking torque. I use my truck as a work truck and I am quite often pulling something or loaded down and my truck really bogs when its heavily loaded. even unloaded you have to kick it down just to get up a hill.

Im wondering what kind of engine building I can do to gain torque.

 

The 302 is not a torque motor, for that you need cubes and STROKE.

A gearing change to take advantage of RPM's and act as a torque multiplier will help in your situation.

 

I know what you mean. I put a 351w in my truck, and there is a very big difference in pulling power. I have come to the conclusion that the 302 is a little bit too small for a full size pickup.

 

I really want to keep this engine if at all possible. I just put it in! my other 5.0 went south and I dropped this one in. plus Im getting 14mpg... and I like that number compared to what I usually hear the 351's get.

btw I forgot to say I have 4.10 gears.

 

when i did my 302-5.8 swap i gained mpg. the 302 got 12/14 city/hwy and now with the 5.8 i get 12/16 city/hwy. and if your towing your gonna use more fuel with the smaller motor cuz its working harder then a bigger motor with more power.

what kinda intake are you running? and you have headers but whats the rest of the exhaust like? if you want more going to a 4.56 gear will give you more for less then any bolt on or engine mod to that 302 you can make.

 

A 4.10 is already incredibly steep for a street truck. The problem with going even lower than that is I don't know the pinion will actually fit in the carrier, assuming you have a 9". You may have to go with a Daytona-style 9" carrier to house the 4.56 pinion. I may be wrong, but the cut-off is somewhere around the 4.56-range.

Another thing to consider is that if you go lower, your driveshaft will be spinning so fast at highway speeds that it is probably dangerous on long trips, considering your LWB configuration.

It sounds like it's just a matter of going a little bit slower, because the 351 swap will definitely cost you some money, although I believe Kemicalburns is right that you'll probably get *slightly* better fuel milage, especially when towing. At 4.10:1, you're basically maxed out in the differential. You could really modify the 302's internals, but it still won't ever be a 351.

I think a 302 is a great full-size truck motor, but not for towing, and not for 4x4.

 

He has a 8.8" rear and not the 9"...

I wouldn't bother going from 4.10s to 4.56s...stick with the 4.10s.

You won't really ever make good truck torque out of that little 302. The stroke is just too short and it really belongs in cars or lighter vehicles. You can make it do fairly decent but a 351 based engine would do much better. It doesn't really cost a whole lot to switch to a 351, most parts are interchangeable. I just did the swap myself, I was looking at replacing my 302 with another 302, but ended up with a 393ci stroker. Think about it...it might be a better option.

 

You might try an RV or other torque cam. This will increase your low end but knock off a few horses at the high end. There are some smog legal ones, but once done, you still probably won't notice a major increase in bottom end over the stock cam.

Yea, it's a bummer to be told the engine you just got through installing won't do what you want, but if you want torque, you have to use an engine designed to make it. I agree, go with the 351.

 

i did my 5.8 swap for under a grand. I found a 80k mile 5.8 at a wrecking yard complete with great compression and 40lbs oil pressure at idle for $800 . i figure with that low of miles and taking care of it i can expect 180k + out of it. i replaced various parts also this motor was a 95 f4te block so it has the roller cam as well. did the swap myself in the driveway. best 40lb torque gain I could have made

 

It really isn't that hard to pull a motor and put another one in it's place...esp the 302/351 swap.

 

i have a 93 f-150 xtcab 4wd it has 6 in lift with 35's and 4:56 gears with lockers and dana drive lines. I have no problems pulling or lack of power. Go with the 4:56 gears you will be amazed at the differance

 

the 302 is a good engine.. agree its not a powerhouse, but its good...

I would leave the 4.10s... thats perfect for that setup...

The 302 does have its downs... the one big power gainer on any 302/351 build is the heads... the E7s are not the best for power... small valves, small exhaust ports.... on and on... If you are willing to spend a little $$ do cam and heads... its the best way to add reliable power....

 

The cheapest fix is to go back to stock diameter tires.

If you can't stand that idea go for the stroker.

 

The cheapest fix is to go back to stock diameter tires. That would be equal to about a 12 percent gear reduction. Save your thirty-threes for off road.

If you can't stand that idea go for the stroker.

 

i think you need to do some more research