Ok,
I did a search, and didn't find exactly what I wanted, tho I'm sure its there. My 302 just popped some freezeout plugs (I hope, haven't been able to verify it didn't bust the block). Not that I was ready for it, but if I have to pull the engine, I'm gonna fix it. The truck is not a daily driver, but it needs to be reliable. I'm wondering, since I have it out, why not beef it up. Haven't completly ruled out the 351, but I had a bronco one time with the 351 and it got like 12-14 mpg, and I had a bronco with a 302, and a set of headers, and it got like 20-22 mpg. I would prefer to keep the mpg, but as it is not a daily driver, it is not a certain neccesity.

I'm wondering what I should do to the 302 (assuming I stay with it). Stroking it sounds nice, but there goes the reliability and gas milage. But I'll have a stroker! Also, boring it just a little wouldn't be too bad, and may NEED to be done depending on engine condition. Or, should I just stay stock?

Basic plans will include driving mostly, with an occasional hop in the mud hole.
Cost wise, those seem to be my options. But.....
If it wasn't much more, I would consider a diesel or newer modular engine swap. I imagine both of these to be in th e expensive, not worth it, needing custom made parts, and 3 years of time class.

Sorry for the long post, but trying to give the best insight into my head possible. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

I never saw a 302 get that high of mileage. With their little 3" stroke, the 302 is not that great in a heavy vehicle. My 302 Bronco was averaging 7-10 mpg, and it wouldn't pull much. All the 351W trucks I've had experience with, got better mileage than their 302 counterparts and had lots more power doing it. A longer stroke is better in a truck.

p.s. stroking a 302 generally yields better fuel mileage, not worse. A longer stroke gives the motor greater leverage to turn the crankshaft. The reason stroker motors get worse fuel mileage is because guys don't build strokers for economy, they generally add bigger heads, valves, a hairy cam and a big tall intake manifold. All of which kills low end torque, and therefore fuel mileage. (The 530hp 302 stroker in my Mustang still gets 13 mpg highway, which isn't too bad, considering it has a 5000+ rpm torque converter)
A mostly stock 302 with a stroker crankshaft, and some mild port/intake work with a nice exhaust system would likely get better mileage than a stock 302. And a stroker crank won't reduce reliability at all, unless the motor is thrown together incorrectly, or over-revved.

 

Cool, thanks for the reply. I'm finding it hard to rebuild reliably for less than a grand. I'm hoping to find a 94-03 250 or 350 4x4 that been rolled, or tboned or something. If I can pick up said donor truck for 2 grand, I can have the bronco ford shoulda built. Getting ready to research that, as I'm pretty sure its been done before.

 

I think Broncos should have been offered with Cummins motors in them.