302 fix
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: w.v.
302 fix
im buying my dads old truck a 1990 ford f150 custom 4x4
it hasnt ran in 2 yrs and i want to beef up the engine alittle i has thinking different heads what would fit???
or would it be cheaper to rebuild. i beleave the 302 is still good but like i sayed is hasnt been started in 2 yrs but if i rebuild the engine what should i bore out the engine i like hp but i also want alittle extra torq any idea??? also what is you opainon on headers and a winch????
it hasnt ran in 2 yrs and i want to beef up the engine alittle i has thinking different heads what would fit???
or would it be cheaper to rebuild. i beleave the 302 is still good but like i sayed is hasnt been started in 2 yrs but if i rebuild the engine what should i bore out the engine i like hp but i also want alittle extra torq any idea??? also what is you opainon on headers and a winch????
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Troy,NY
It depends on how far you want to go and your skills. If the motor is still in the truck I'd replace the plugs. Take a good look at them and see how she ran when it was put away. Squirt about a teaspoon of oil in each sparkplug hole and turn it over by hand to see if it frozen and spread the oil. If all is good start it up and check the oil pressure. After it's running check the coolant temp. The thermostat might stick after sitting.Those are the basics to check out before you get into tearing the motor out.
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From: w.v.
the engine ran good when it was parked the only thing that is wrong with the truck was the manafolds are both cracked and my dad said he was having some trouble with it but i dount remember what all he said i do remember he did somthing to the wiring harness it shorted out and i think he fixed it but it will not start enless you put gas down the engine first
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
If it were me I'd try to get it running...see what you've got to start with. You might find that the engine itself is in decent shape. The fact that it sat for 2 years doesn't really matter all that much to whether or not the engine is any good. It's still in the same condition it was when it sat there...although some animals might of made a home in some areas.
My 72' motorhome sat for 4 years and it fired right up within 10 minutes or working on it.
My 72' motorhome sat for 4 years and it fired right up within 10 minutes or working on it.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
If you're going to have to replace the manifolds anyway, then you might as well go with headers. You will want long tubes rather than shorties.
I'd check the fuel system as well. First thing there: with the gas cap removed listen at the tank as you have someone turn the key on. Not to start, just to the On position. You should hear the fuel pump whine for about 1-2 seconds and then stop. Turn the key off and then on again, you should hear it again. This is to pressurize the fuel system, if you don't hear the pump then there's a problem there and that could be why you have to prime it before it will start.
The wiring harnesses on EFI engines are sensitive and some repairs might change the resistance through the wires, causing some sensors to give incorrect reading to the computer. After you get it running check the codes. I'd check the fuel pressure as well.
And I agree with Justin on that. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it runs good after you get the various problems sorted out, I'd just leave it alone till you're ready for some performance upgrades.
I'd check the fuel system as well. First thing there: with the gas cap removed listen at the tank as you have someone turn the key on. Not to start, just to the On position. You should hear the fuel pump whine for about 1-2 seconds and then stop. Turn the key off and then on again, you should hear it again. This is to pressurize the fuel system, if you don't hear the pump then there's a problem there and that could be why you have to prime it before it will start.
The wiring harnesses on EFI engines are sensitive and some repairs might change the resistance through the wires, causing some sensors to give incorrect reading to the computer. After you get it running check the codes. I'd check the fuel pressure as well.
And I agree with Justin on that. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it runs good after you get the various problems sorted out, I'd just leave it alone till you're ready for some performance upgrades.
Last edited by TigerDan; Jan 2, 2006 at 12:05 PM.
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Junior User
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From: w.v.
ok what about heads what will fit on a 302 block?? i did remember somthing about the wiring harness for a while dad had to put a toggel on it couse it was not getting any power to the pumps that is what he fixed sence the wiring harness has been altered should i replace the harness anyway??? and the transmition is slipping alittle man i hate automatics it has over drive would it be easyer to rebuild or replace i want to re sue the hole truck i want to move out west in a yr or to
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
There are many heads that will fit a 302.
Check the tranny fluid - if it's not full it will slip.
Check the tranny fluid - if it's not full it will slip.
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From: w.v.
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
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From: The hills of No. Calif.
That question is just too wide open for a simple answer. In a nutshell, all the heads, both stock and aftermarket for the engines covered in this forum plus 351C/351M/400 heads. Of course there are different requirements to make different heads work correctly on your particular engine. Some heads will work better than others, some will physically fit but there would be no advantage to using them...some would cause a loss of power rather than a gain, some would be very expensive to make work correctly. You have to come up with a set of goals for what you want out of your engine and figure a budget for what you're willing to spend. Get it running first and go from there, don't worry too much about heads right now.
Last edited by TigerDan; Jan 4, 2006 at 12:36 AM.
