Engine replacement
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Engine replacement
I own a 91 F150, 5sp, 2WD with a 302 EFI. I recently lost oil pressure and wrecked my engine. I'm in the process of trying to decide on putting a rebuilt motor in or get one from another vehicle. If I go with a used engine, does anyone know what I need to look for in terms of being a directly compatible. I know Ford used this engine for many years on a lot of different cars. Or does it need to come out of another 91 F150?
TIA - Mike
TIA - Mike
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Depends on how you want to do the swap. If you want to drop in an absolutely complete in every way junkyard engine, then you want to stay with the 89-91 years. Wiring changed in 92.
If you are willing to swap your intake bits over, any 302 from 88 through 96 can be used no problem.
If you want to use your accessories, bracketry, wiring, heads and intake, any 302 after 1980 (or so) can be used, car or truck.
I would base your decision on what engines you find, and how complete they are, versus how much they are asking for. Around here a running, junkyard 302 with most or all of the accessories would be about $350ish, loaded into your pickup to take home. Not to bad at all. Usually they torch the wiring harnesses at the firewall out of laziness, but the price is reasonable so one can deal with that of course.
If you are willing to swap your intake bits over, any 302 from 88 through 96 can be used no problem.
If you want to use your accessories, bracketry, wiring, heads and intake, any 302 after 1980 (or so) can be used, car or truck.
I would base your decision on what engines you find, and how complete they are, versus how much they are asking for. Around here a running, junkyard 302 with most or all of the accessories would be about $350ish, loaded into your pickup to take home. Not to bad at all. Usually they torch the wiring harnesses at the firewall out of laziness, but the price is reasonable so one can deal with that of course.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by mjf
Thanks Guys!
Frederic I see you are from NJ. I am in NNJ - do you know of any reputable places to try and find an engine?
Mike
Frederic I see you are from NJ. I am in NNJ - do you know of any reputable places to try and find an engine?
Mike
While they don't warranty their engines, I've bought four in the last four years for a variety of projects, and all of them were "fine". Maybe a leaky valve cover, or a bent alternator bracket, but the yards full of other stuff to leech these kinds of parts from so I never really worried about it. $350-400 for a complete engine with at least some accessories, is not a bad deal in my book.
There's a yard around the corner from there that is typically double the price, but the engines are a bit cleaner (cosmetically) and they tag them with what it's from, the year, and the mileage. This cheaper place just has racks of motors that "sounded good" when they yanked them.
Choice is yours... we can visit both places if you want.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=frederic]If you are willing to swap your intake bits over, any 302 from 88 through 96 can be used no problem.QUOTE]
Why do you say 88-96? Im asking becuase Im doing a swap myself and its a 93 going in a 87 whats the diff? Just dont want anything to get in the way.
Thanks Joe
Why do you say 88-96? Im asking becuase Im doing a swap myself and its a 93 going in a 87 whats the diff? Just dont want anything to get in the way.
Thanks Joe
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
I said 88-97 because I know it will fit. I do believe the older shortblocks are fine too, however I cannot say for sure, hence my not giving that advice.
I'd have hated to guess, and have him spend money on something that has a 3% chance of not working.
I'd have hated to guess, and have him spend money on something that has a 3% chance of not working.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Pequot Lakes, MN
Good luck wakojoe! Hope you find a good motor and the swap works out good for ya... I might be facing the same thing as you in the near future if I'm not able to do something about my oil pressure problems soon... May I ask how yours died? running with 0 oil pressure i presume? Did it suddenly drop or was it kind of gradually getting lower and lower?
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
I got the truck from a buddy who said it needs an engine because he never maintianed it and then wouldnt run... When I got it it had no power and would over heat. I put plugs wires thermostat cap bla bla bla...
Now the truck runs a lot better and doesnt over heat however when it gets hot it starts running bad and loses power. The engine light is on the oil press gauge doesnt work so I cant if its low. If the truck is at an idle in neutral and you let the clutch out the rpms drop.
So I dont know if it really needs an engine or not but Im planning replacing it anyway.
Now the truck runs a lot better and doesnt over heat however when it gets hot it starts running bad and loses power. The engine light is on the oil press gauge doesnt work so I cant if its low. If the truck is at an idle in neutral and you let the clutch out the rpms drop.
So I dont know if it really needs an engine or not but Im planning replacing it anyway.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 500
Likes: 1
From: Penndel, PA
WakoJoe
Step one...fix the oil pressure gauge
Step two...check the codes
I gotta agree with PFogle, you may not have a bad engine. Before you go and do something drastic this is certainly worth an attempt. My first thought would be engine coolant temperature sensor out of whack and sending a bad signal. That's just off the top of my head. Check the codes.
BTW, How many miles on it?
Step one...fix the oil pressure gauge
Step two...check the codes
I gotta agree with PFogle, you may not have a bad engine. Before you go and do something drastic this is certainly worth an attempt. My first thought would be engine coolant temperature sensor out of whack and sending a bad signal. That's just off the top of my head. Check the codes.
BTW, How many miles on it?
