how much difference in power is there in the 5.8 vs the 5.0? I am looking at 91-96 extended cab 4 wheel drive f150/250s. I won't be doing any real heavy pulling,maybe a small john boat and pop up camper eventually. Would I be sorry if I didn't hold out until i found one I want with the 5.8? only experience I have had with this is my 78 f100 that I swapped a 351w into. I noticed a world of difference,but the 302 that was in the truck was very tired and had low compression,so that is not really a fair comparison. thanks!!

 

i have a '91 with a 302 it does okay. it's not a work horse in any sense. but for a daily driver it does just fine. but this engine is going to be replaced with a 351.

 

I dont know exact numbers but lemme tell you as an owner of an extended cab long bed with a 302, that i honestly wish i had the 351. You get better fuel mileage with the 351, and more power. 302's are great motors but should never have been used in extended cab trucks.
If you plan on doing any towing then the extra torque of the 351 will make a world of difference. The most i ever haul is 2500 lbs (in bed) and the 302 is a complete dog to get moving, even with the 5 speed.

 

I used to have a 92 302 Bronco and empty it felt like there was power to spare, but I put a 14ft fishing boat on it and it would slow down when it would just see the hill.

The truck in my sig does much better. Of course gears mean a lot.

 

Agreed. I have a 302-slow and while it's fine for the most part, it's definitely not brimming with power. Towing a 16foot duckboat is great until any hills or passes--then it's droppin' down to 3rd and chuggin' along at 40.

Go with a 351 if you can.

EDIT: I think there's something to be said about the ease of repairing and maintaining the 302, though. Everything is super accessible and easy to reach....for the most part.

 

I have a 1990 F250 S.cab 4wd with the 351..
it's got a decent amount of power.. but when I tow my 16' trailer with two mini-buggies on it, she slows down on the hills.. I don't know how heavy the trailer/buggies are.. but she slows to about 55-60 mph going up a long 6-7% grade..it also has 178K on it.. so i'm sure it doesn't have the power it had when it was newer..
I used to have an 86 Bronco with a 302 in it.. it would slow down to 55-60 on the same hill EMPTY/not towing..I love the 302, its a good motor.. but the 351W is more suited for a truck..

 

Although i have never driven a truk with a 351 ive heard the block specific parts can be a pain to find.

The 302 may be less powerfull stock but you can crank some power out of it with some time. Such as making it a roller motor, exhaust system, cam shaft... the list goes on.

I have a 302 in my truck and for what it is im pretty happy with it 181500 miles on it and still runs strong!

 

Yes it was!! Nothing has changed between the old Windsors you had and the newer injected versions, still a world of difference between them. You'll kick yourself for evermore if you don't get a 5.8, especially with a heavier truck.

 

I have had a 351 and 302 at same time. Both 94 F150 sc 4x4 e4od 3:55 rears. Never had 351 Get better MPG and I had one in a F350 4x4.

The 351 was luck to break 13 MPG interstate driving and it was a short bed . the 302 truck is a sc long bed. And get 15 Mpg normal driving. I drove both same place. Both same miles .
The only place the 351 show the extra HP is pulling on hills and it still slows down.

I have had 18 F trucks and 90% have been 302 . Unless you haul every day . The Basic driver will never see difference with a well tuned truck with decent gears . I have been happy with every 302 I had and would only take a 300-6 over it. I drive 500 miles a week and have 400 - 800 lbs in truck while at work . . The 3 MPG adds quick .

I will say you going for lift and 35" tires get the 351 . Other wise its up to you .

 

they are both good engines i have had both 302's and 351's and am partial to the 351for a couple or so reasons 1 -more power! 2-longevity {my current f-250 has 307,500 miles and still going}3-not much difference in mpg !Oh and did i say more power!!

 

Yes they are both good engines for sure but the 302 can be a dog for sure when towing or hauling a lot and in a F150 4x4 Supercab it maybe a little lackin in the performance dept good daily driver motor i guess the 351 is great most likely get same mpg as 302 maybe worse since its bigger engine but you got the power there when you need it

So why dont you test drive both the 302 and 351 and see what you think

 

I'd say 4 out of 5 trucks of this age I see with over 200K miles have a 351. That may not mean much but it holds true for what I see.

I've noticed the 5 speed 302 trucks seem to have more power. I had an automatic 95 and it was down on power enough it wasn't fun to drive. My 5 speed is just fine empty but I don't like pulling with it at all. I can't complain at all about fuel mileage.

Seems the 351 guys, even in a heavier F-250, can pull decently. I'd like to drive a 351 F-150 set up similar to mine to compare.

 

I say start looking for trucks for sale and drive a few. If you test drive the 302 and it meets your expectations, get it, its a solid motor. If you want more power or test drive a truck with a 351 and like it, buy the 351. Good luck in your search!

 

The 302 in a truck responds well when it has truck gears--ie 4.10s. I test drove 5.0/5 sp with 3.55s and my 4.10 302/5 sp and the 4.10s woke that 302 up!!!

The 4.9 seems to run well with 3.08s--but the 302 needs the lower gears!!

 

Just get a 300I6 and never look back