You can always bore/stroke a 302 out to ~360ci if you want more pulling power.

A 302 will never compare to a 460 or big diesel when it comes to towing, but for what you'd spend to swap one you could have a pretty stout little stroker.

 

do believe thats b/c some of the rings have molybdenum coating and others have chrome in the same set (or used to be that way)

 

If "it doesnt burn a drop of oil" it definetly wont have chrome rings

 

Blake,
You are 100% correct. The ford small block is arguably the most reliable engine ever built. It's reliability and durability can run circles around any other engine ford or not. Of course you always get individuals that disagree with that statement possibly because they didn't have good luck with one. remember even though it may or may not be the most reliable engine ever built every engine has their lemons.

The stock torque of the small block is of course far below par compared to it's larger conterparts and can't really compare to each other when relating to hauling or towing heavy loads. I am shure that your warmed over 302 is quite capable of towing your tractor or trailer but if you used it consistantly on a regular or daily/weekly basis you may shortly head for trouble. The 302 could of course be built strong enough to compare to it's larger stock conterparts but expense would be high. The intent here is for the cost of a 302 build-up to closely equal big block power is really not practical seeing as that money spent on a big block would be be more realistic "in a truck". Any small block high horse power build-up should stick to a street rod or "classic truck" not a work truck.

Everybody has their own taste's in vehicles so keep driving your tough little small block truck.

 

hay dont listen to that stuff you can have a good motor just need sum puping up maybe a comp cam grind 270 that will give you a lope and bore it over about 30 and changed the stroke and up grade the eletrical stuffe and maybe an over drive kit you can smokem and get power jj98

 

I hope I didnt make a big deal out of this because I sure didnt mean to. I was just trying to get the point across that the 302 is a great little engine. There is no doubt in my mind that she would prolly get tired really quick if I hauled the tractor around all the time, since they dont have the torque on the low end and rev high, but I have to say the 268comp cam sure did help her out alot on the low end and basically all throughout the rpm range. I by no means recommend using a 302 to pull heavy stuff around all the time, but if you had to they will hold up fairly well if taken good care of.
Me and the ole 302 do have alot of fun though running circles around my friend's chebby 305, lol.
I guess everybody has their favorites and mine is the 302 and that is because it is always reliable no matter how cold or hot and I believe the lil small blocks have their own distinct sound.

 

I have been hammering my 302 for a while now... it hits 6500 plus every time I drive it...why ? because I can...lol. can't kill it.

 

What's your 302 in? I've had mine up to 5500RPM lol. I could definitely tell it was losing power in that region.

BTW, about towing, I think it is most critical on the gearing you have. A 351w with 2.73's isn't going to tow any better than a 302 with 4.10's.

Yes, I know that's a broad difference in gearing, but I'm just saying, with the right gearing, a 4 cyl can pull a lot. Ford 8N anyone? 6.66 or 6.68 rear axle ratio in those old tractors. At least the one I have. It's a weak 20 or 28 horsepower 4 cylinder but will pull anything behind it due to gearing.

But, sure, in the same set ups, a 351w will tow easier. But the 302 is just plain fun, and, not to be biased, sounds better. Not that sound gets you home.

 

Not trying to change subject, but what year is your Ford 8N? They are great little tractors for bushhoggin. My preference is John Deere though. I have a 1937 A, 1944 A, 1948 A. But I also have a 1948 Farmall Cub, 1948 Allis-Chalmers B, and a 1953 Allis-Chalmers WD45. The A John Deeres and the Allis-Chalmers WD45 are some hosses. I haven't done anything yet that will choke them down.

Alright now to get back to the 302. All the 460 guys brag and have pride for their big horse, big displacement motors. But we have the ability to rev high, get decent gas millage(mines gets 16), and sound good, lol.

We should start a 302 club, lol, we should be proud of our great little engine.

 

the 302 is a jack of all trades and a master of none. It does everything well, but nothing amazingly. Very versatile. When you throw mods at it and get away from stock, you can go more towards low end (to a point) or more towards high end (sky is the limit).

i got 31 mpg in my 5.0 mustang this summer. bwahahaha

 

Can a 302 do anything a 300 can do ?

 

I should of made it more clear I am talking about as far as pulling?

 

they used 300's in 1 tons, but not a 302...maybe that will answer your question

 

nope. stock for stock, mod for mod, the 300 will always put down more torque right off idle than a 302. Which is funny because both heads, stock, put out about 150 cfm on the intake side. It just has to do with the extra inch of stroke the 300 has over a 302. This makes it a more specialized tool than a 302. The power levels off at 3000 rpm (you can go to 3500 or 4000 even if you want to but its just making more noise. and they dont exactly sound good revved up that high...), right where a 302 is ramping up. 300s are basically the best motor for the guy who needs maximum low end torque for minimum dollar. There are always better choices, but not for the money. if you have $100 to buy a motor and need to pull tree stumps out of the ground, the 300 is the best choice. theyre not very good at high speeds, unloaded or loaded. I have an 83 with a 300/np435/3.55/32"s and it loses speed on hills on the highway, unloaded...ive damn near overheated the thing in the summertime because i get angry with it and just mat the throttle. its more the motor that gives you the right to say "i pulled the moon up a huge hill in third at idle and 1/4 throttle". its just that last 3/4 throttle doesnt really offer much.

 

I have to agree with Torx, my 94 sb 2wd currently has a 4.9/300 w/ 2.73 rear. Too me its the master of none with that gearing. A little high for stump pulling and 70 mph just doesnt seem to be the sweet spot either. Its a 5 speed. Looking forward to the 5.0 and a 3.55 rear.