Considering a different engine.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2009
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Considering a different engine.
I have a 1970 f100. I'll be working on it in the summer here and there. My over all goal for this project is to have a nice looking street type truck. I'll be lowering it eventually but I want to pull some power out of it. Now I know trucks are not ideal for a fast vehicle but this is my (FUN) vehicle (besides my 4 wheeling rig but it's slow haha) . I have explored options on beefing up a 302 since I have a stock 302 in it with 50,000 miles on it but I think getting a bigger engine is what we need here. What do you guys recommend? I want to still be able to cruise around town in it and out in the country but to pull a decent quarter mile at the track. I don't want to spend a arm and a leg on this. Most if not all the engine work will be done by me my dad and grandpa (they are mechanics, I'm learning slowly 
) Also around how much could one sell a 302 with 50k on it for? Also what is all involved in a engine swap what else will I need?
) Also around how much could one sell a 302 with 50k on it for? Also what is all involved in a engine swap what else will I need?
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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How much money do you want to spend?
I'd try a 331 stroker (302 with a .030 overbore and a 3.25 stroke) just for grins. The money goes into the engine, not a conversion.
As for the other motors:
351W will bolt to your trans, and is similar enough to the 302 to make it the easiest choice.
360: No, not a performance engine and can't be made into one.
390: Can be made into a firebreather or mini-mountain motor with a stroker (445)
460: Stockers are lazy but long living light truck motors, or sleepy pillow-barge motors. Lots of torque, lots of pork. Can be made into a firebreather and mountain motor. Just add money.
If you're not brand sensitive, and want to be flamed to death here, but want serious, modern, lightweight, naturally aspirated power:
600 HP Complete 427 Chevy LS3 Crate Engine
Be sure to budget for a transmission if you go that way....
I'd try a 331 stroker (302 with a .030 overbore and a 3.25 stroke) just for grins. The money goes into the engine, not a conversion.
As for the other motors:
351W will bolt to your trans, and is similar enough to the 302 to make it the easiest choice.
360: No, not a performance engine and can't be made into one.
390: Can be made into a firebreather or mini-mountain motor with a stroker (445)
460: Stockers are lazy but long living light truck motors, or sleepy pillow-barge motors. Lots of torque, lots of pork. Can be made into a firebreather and mountain motor. Just add money.
If you're not brand sensitive, and want to be flamed to death here, but want serious, modern, lightweight, naturally aspirated power:
600 HP Complete 427 Chevy LS3 Crate Engine
Be sure to budget for a transmission if you go that way....
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
360: No, not a performance engine and can't be made into one.
390: Can be made into a firebreather or mini-mountain motor with a stroker (445)
I have always thought you could build anything out of the 360 that you could with a 390.
390: Can be made into a firebreather or mini-mountain motor with a stroker (445)
I have always thought you could build anything out of the 360 that you could with a 390.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
The 360 really wakes up with the proper cam, timing, and airflow. One thing any FE will never do is get decent fuel mileage. I love the 360 in my F250, it's got power from off-idle to 5k and then some, and tows my trailer at 65-70 all day long. Don't judge an entire engine class by a few 40+ year old worn out emissions engines.
Having said that, the 351w is the easiest because everything else will require a bellhousing change at the very least.
Having said that, the 351w is the easiest because everything else will require a bellhousing change at the very least.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Omaha/Elkhorn, NE
I'd throw my vote in for the 351 also, for what you want to do. Probably the most bang for the buck!
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Brett Foote
Senior User
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460 wins all bets. Then 390. If you want to drop in a stock setup find a good 460 with a 5spd and you won't be disapointed. Down the rd a cam carb and headers totaly transform a 460. You could do the same to any of the other available motors for the same if not more $ and you wouldn't get as much a reward unless you went late modle and fuel injected. But that's lots more ca$h and labor!!
The way I see it is if you already had a good motor to start with but since your swaping. Just go with the big one. Size does matter!!!!
The way I see it is if you already had a good motor to start with but since your swaping. Just go with the big one. Size does matter!!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
460 - there is no replacement for displacement!
You can wake up a stock 460 block and heads with a good cam/intake/carb package.
You'll need the 385 series transmission (or bell housing if you go with a hand shaker) to go with it, and the Ford FACTOrY 3-piece motor mounts to do it right. If you do not use the factory mounts, you may discover that your fan blades don't make very nice hood ornaments. Best option is to find a wrecked '73-'79 with a 460 and you'll have everything you need.
Except for the high performance heads, all 385 stock heads made prior to '72 are all pretty good.
AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE the '72 heads - D2VEE
D3 heads and later, all the way up to the E6 heads are essentially the same, and can be made to flow similar to the pre-'72 heads with porting, and removing the exhaust hump in the intake runner.
Lots of good info on this in the 385 forum!
You can wake up a stock 460 block and heads with a good cam/intake/carb package.
You'll need the 385 series transmission (or bell housing if you go with a hand shaker) to go with it, and the Ford FACTOrY 3-piece motor mounts to do it right. If you do not use the factory mounts, you may discover that your fan blades don't make very nice hood ornaments. Best option is to find a wrecked '73-'79 with a 460 and you'll have everything you need.
Except for the high performance heads, all 385 stock heads made prior to '72 are all pretty good.
AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE the '72 heads - D2VEE
D3 heads and later, all the way up to the E6 heads are essentially the same, and can be made to flow similar to the pre-'72 heads with porting, and removing the exhaust hump in the intake runner.
Lots of good info on this in the 385 forum!
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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BUT I suppose a 360 can be had cheap and would be a good start on an FE build if you were going to go stroker and fancy go-fast add-ons...
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