Need help in a 302 swap
New User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 16
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Need help in a 302 swap
where's the dipstick?
I'm taking a 302 out of a 71 maverick and putting it my 86 Bronco. I am starting to find the differences in these blocks.
1st. problem
In my 86 the dipstick mounts in the rear of the block. I've been
told the 71 mounts in front. Is that through the timming chain
cover? Will that affect any of the external mounting brackets?
2nd. problem
My 86 has a rear sump oil pan and the 71 is a front. Is this
going to be a problem. If so does it need some kind of oil
pump adaption?
If anyone knows anything about my problems or has any ideas
I'd love the help!
Leevi 86Bronco
I'm taking a 302 out of a 71 maverick and putting it my 86 Bronco. I am starting to find the differences in these blocks.
1st. problem
In my 86 the dipstick mounts in the rear of the block. I've been
told the 71 mounts in front. Is that through the timming chain
cover? Will that affect any of the external mounting brackets?
2nd. problem
My 86 has a rear sump oil pan and the 71 is a front. Is this
going to be a problem. If so does it need some kind of oil
pump adaption?
If anyone knows anything about my problems or has any ideas
I'd love the help!
Leevi 86Bronco
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 3
Need help in a 302 swap
you will need to use the 86 oil pan/pickup tube. you can remove the 71 dipstick tube and plug the hole with a 3/8 freeze plug or change the timing cover. the engines are also balanced differently you can't use 86 flywheel/flexplate on 71.
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Need help in a 302 swap
franklin2
253 posts
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Non-member
2. "RE: 302's"
20-Mar-01, 12:53 PM (EST)
LAST EDITED ON 20-Mar-01 AT 12:56 PM (EST)
Careful, careful, careful.. The motors are balanced different so don't mix and match flywheels and dampers. Make sure you check out the timing marks and the pointers that bolt to the timing cover. These can get mixed up too. Check out the dipstick situation. If the 86 dipstick is in the pan, ok. If it is rearward on the side of the block, You might have to do some head scratching. (the bronco takes a rear sump pan). Also, I don't think it will be a problem, but check the firing order too. Some fuel injected 302's had 351w firing order.
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I hate to say it, but I told you so! You are lucky that you already have a rear sump pan(hard to find and expensive). You can keep your 71 oil pump, but you need to bolt on the long pickup tube, and you need that special main cap stud that supports the tube. I still don't know the answer to the dipstick problem, unless you want to find and early Bronco pan, where the dipstick tube mounts in the pan(hard to find and expensive). I put a 351w in my truck and found a late pan that had the dipstick in the pan. Maybe with a little research you can find out if they made a later pan for a 302 with the dipstick in the pan. You will have to plug the front dipstick hole. I sawed mine off a little, pinched the tube with pliers and then folded it over(like a toothpaste tube).
253 posts
Senior User
Non-member
2. "RE: 302's"
20-Mar-01, 12:53 PM (EST)
LAST EDITED ON 20-Mar-01 AT 12:56 PM (EST)
Careful, careful, careful.. The motors are balanced different so don't mix and match flywheels and dampers. Make sure you check out the timing marks and the pointers that bolt to the timing cover. These can get mixed up too. Check out the dipstick situation. If the 86 dipstick is in the pan, ok. If it is rearward on the side of the block, You might have to do some head scratching. (the bronco takes a rear sump pan). Also, I don't think it will be a problem, but check the firing order too. Some fuel injected 302's had 351w firing order.
Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote| Top
I hate to say it, but I told you so! You are lucky that you already have a rear sump pan(hard to find and expensive). You can keep your 71 oil pump, but you need to bolt on the long pickup tube, and you need that special main cap stud that supports the tube. I still don't know the answer to the dipstick problem, unless you want to find and early Bronco pan, where the dipstick tube mounts in the pan(hard to find and expensive). I put a 351w in my truck and found a late pan that had the dipstick in the pan. Maybe with a little research you can find out if they made a later pan for a 302 with the dipstick in the pan. You will have to plug the front dipstick hole. I sawed mine off a little, pinched the tube with pliers and then folded it over(like a toothpaste tube).
