Best engine and tranny
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Joined: May 2006
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Best engine and tranny
Hello, I've got a 65 f100 with an FE engine and a auto.that are both worn out and not properly installed,(VERY BAD SHADE TREE ENGINEERING) so i am looking to replace or rebuild them,the truck will be for occasional use. Cruzing, car shows and such,But I would still like to have decent fuel milage. It seems like the 302 with an AOD is the ticket. Looking for some good advice,,Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Jackassville
Why not just rebuild the 352? Thats what I did in my 66 F100, power upgrades are easily attainable and it is a very stout and reliable engine. When I rebuilt the engine, I replaced the old 2 barrel carb for a Holley 600, also bought a stock 4-barrell intake for very cheap. I have headers as well and a Crane 343901 cam. These modifactions woke up the engine and it is now a very powerful street peformer that still drives like a stock engine. I love my 352, great power, great reliabilty, what else could you ask for?
I think you would be "stepping down" by swapping in a 302.
Happy Wrenching.
I think you would be "stepping down" by swapping in a 302.
Happy Wrenching.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 446
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From: Texas
The 302 is a great engine, but its a small engine. After getting used to the 352 in my truck, every time I see a 302 resting in the bottom of the engine bay of a slick, I get this mental image of baby birds in the nest " Ahhh, how cute. I bet it will be a strong engine when it grows up. "
If it was me, and I was searching for the best engine, I would consider rebuilding my 352. either just as it is for gas milage reasons, or posably stroked and bored to a 390, or a 410.
As for tranny, the c6 is cheap and builit proof, but the AOD can be bolted to the FE blocks with a special bell housing. Not cheap, but the FE/AOD combo may be the best all around Ford combo there is.
If it was me, and I was searching for the best engine, I would consider rebuilding my 352. either just as it is for gas milage reasons, or posably stroked and bored to a 390, or a 410.
As for tranny, the c6 is cheap and builit proof, but the AOD can be bolted to the FE blocks with a special bell housing. Not cheap, but the FE/AOD combo may be the best all around Ford combo there is.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
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From: Elizabethtown, PA
With a 352 and 3 speed I get around 15mpg if I don't try to impress everyone with noise. 
The aod will only help you on the highway, really.
The 302 is a fine engine, but is going to have to work harder to do the same thing as the 'big block' you have in there now, so won't really return better mileage. You'll have to make everything fit (linkages, hoses and so on) to essentially get the same result.
302 parts are cheaper, granted. And it sure weighs a whole lot less.
In the end, I think your truck will also be worth more (and be more interesting) with the FE block still in it.
The aod will only help you on the highway, really.
The 302 is a fine engine, but is going to have to work harder to do the same thing as the 'big block' you have in there now, so won't really return better mileage. You'll have to make everything fit (linkages, hoses and so on) to essentially get the same result.
302 parts are cheaper, granted. And it sure weighs a whole lot less.
In the end, I think your truck will also be worth more (and be more interesting) with the FE block still in it.
