would I be able to fit a 302 5.0L in my 94 ranger? it now has the 4.0L and the mazda r1 transmission and is 4wd.. I would probably have to change the tranny right? just curious...

 

this is a pretty popular swap. might want to try doing a search in the ranger or engine swap forum.

 

There's just a ton of info out there on the swap. I'm doing one on an '89 right now, which is of course a different body style but the principles are the same.

There are also a couple of books available on doing the swap (I can give you a few links if you like) and several kits consisting for the most part of motor mounts and headers. The headers and mounts in these kits are designed to work together, so if you go with them be use the mounts and headers from the same source or you may run into interference problems.

As for the tranny question, since the Mazda tranny has an integral bellhousing, yes, you'd have to change the tranny. The M5R1 you have now (first pic) won't bolt up to the 302, I think you have to go to the M5R2 (second pic) as used in certain F150s and full size Broncos.

Since my swap is 2WD I haven't really gotten into the 4WD aspect of a swap, but it seems to me that I remember reading something about limited transmission choices, and possibly something about the BW T5 tranny. I'll take a look today.

 

If you want to keep a manual transmission, find a ZF series from a ford truck that had a inline 300, 302 or 351w in it, it should bolt up to your 302. As a matter of fact, any transmission from any ford 300,302, or 351w(not the 351m/c's) will bolt on to the 302. I'm pretty sure any ford transfer case that was on a 300,302, or 351w will bolt on to any 300,302, or 351w trans, but dont quote me on that. Best thing you can do is get a bodylift, makes things much easier. If the 302 is fuel injected, it isn't really all that hard to splice the wiring together for a plug and play harness. If you haven't purchased the 302 yet, look for one out of an explorer that had the 5.0 in it form the factory. I think '97.5 and up models had the gt-40p heads and intake. The explorer 5.0's waterpump and intake are already the right size. Other 302's will more than likely need short waterpump covers and different shape intakes. Its obd-II, but its really not much more difficult if any than splicing an obd-I harness. The explorer 302's came with 4r70w transmissions, basically an updated AOD. They can take a good bit of abuse with a cheap investment of mods(clutches, bands, shift kit, valvebody). Art carr makes a floor shifter for the aod that will fit it and the truck perfectly. If you have any more questions just ask, I'm just about done swapping a 302 in my '94 explorer.

 

What I found out is that if you want to keep your stock transfer case and want to use a 5-speed, about the only choice is to use a T5 with an adapter. The adapter is pricey however, about $600-$800 from several differnt manufacturers. You may be better off to swap the T-case as well, as Pinetree suggests. (Interesting username there, Pinetree! )

 

351c has same bellhousing as 302, 289, 351, & 300's. Though anything found at their age now will most likely require a rebuild.
351/400 M's dont ,as he stated. They have the 460 429 pattern.