I think it is time now that the old rig no longer has to go through the emission testing, which is a joke anyway, that the Motor Craft 2150 get replaced. 228k and it still works, though the choke is falling apart more and more and I have now notice an arc between the choke linkage and the choke itself. Thinking this is not a good condition considering its sitting on a boal of gas!

Anyway, I am thinking of just going with a Edelbrock manifold carb kit they have for the 302. Its 21034 I think. It comes with a 600cfm four barrel and the manifold and all the equip you need. I think I would still need a additional item to use the AOD control rod with this carb.

What do all of the experts here think of this swap? With a gentle foot do you think I can improve on the 14.5 mils per gallon I am getting now in city driving?

Also, I have read someplace and now I can find it about the cam timing being retarded on thes truck motors and if you put them back to straight up it does wonders for the drivability. Was I imagining this? I dont think this would hurt mileage either?

Thank you,

 

A carb and manifold swap is a good idea. The primary jets on the 4bbl carb are smaller then the 2bbl carb's jets. It shouldn't take you more than a day to do the swap at a slow, careful pace.

I swapped out the 2bbl manifold and carb for an Edelbrock 4bbl manifold and 600cfm carb on my 1972 Pontiac Ventura II. Not only did it give me 2 mpg's, but it's so much more fun to pop the cork on that 350.

 

Never heard of cam timing being retarded on the 302, but if it has that many miles, I would take the front apart and put a new timing chain set in it. In fact, I find it hard to believe it made it 228k with the original timing chain.

Put that 4bbl on there. You will be very happy with the way it runs afterward.

 

Yes, the smaller primary's seems to be the ticket for some extra miles per gallon as long as you keep your foot out of it! As for the 228k, the motor was gone through at 150k but that did not inlcude going through the carb etc and it has been rebuilt more than one in its life, but to be honest I don't think its that great a carb. This truck spent many a mile pulling a 28ft travel trailer so those who may ctisize the 302 and the AOD should take note, this thing just keeps going. It cane sit for months and and all it takes is pump of the gas and its back to life.

Anyway, I must have read wrong then on the cam timing, like I said I could not find it again so maybe it was an error. Late night reading online can play tricks on your eyes.

Thanks for the input!

 

I wouldn't spend the money for a new 4bbl and manifold for a vehicle with 200k+ miles on the clock. Even if you were to get 2+ better mpg it would take forever to see a break even point. Better to fix/rebuild your carb or get a rebuilt one and save the difference for future repairs. PS. 14.5 mpg in the city ain't half bad on a truck with that mileage!

 

Well I can appreciate that thought about getting a return on investment, however this old girl is not going anywhere and $699 for the entire set up is not bad. If she dies for some other reason like some fool runs into it, the motor will come out for my some day hot rod anyhow so no loss there. 228 is just getting broken in. My uncles 57 ford has about 500k on it and only two rebuilds. Never under estimate good care and proper maintenance.

 

I believe all engine since early '70s have retarded valve timing,I know the 302HO had 8 degree retard
the first i advanced was a '79 351M and it seemed like a different motor
I have since advanced all at 4 degrees