302 or 351
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Santa Fe NM
What is mass air?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 1
From: Chicagoland
There is a sensor - the MAF meter - in the intake between the air filter and the throttle body that the computer uses to measure the amount of air coming into the engine. Once the computer knows how much air is coming down the intake it can set the injectors to fire at the rate that will add a matching amount of fuel. The older system that Ford used before MAF is MAP (manifold air pressure) which uses a sensor to measure the vacuum in the intake. With this info plus other sensor data it can make a good guess as to the load on the engine and add the appropriate amount of fuel. MAF is faster to react, makes better guesses and doesn't get as confused when major changes are made to the intake or cam.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Any small block pattern transmission will bolt up including the AOD, and whether it lasts or not depends heavily on it's relative health. The AOD in my truck still works fine after about 8 years behind a 5.8, it was a fresh rebuild with a shift kit when the 5.8 was installed.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Any small block pattern transmission will bolt up including the AOD, and whether it lasts or not depends heavily on it's relative health. The AOD in my truck still works fine after about 8 years behind a 5.8, it was a fresh rebuild with a shift kit when the 5.8 was installed.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
There were no factory 5.8/AOD combos in trucks but it was found in the Crown Vic. My transmission is a stock rebuild to the latest spec* and has a valve body shift kit installed.
*All tranmsissions get upgrades over their production life and the AOD is no exception, later versions got larger bands and servos and the main clutch drums were changed to allow more clutch disks. If you're shopping for one you want a '91+ tranmsission as it will have some or all of these updates and will also be compatable with the better aftermarket parts.
*All tranmsissions get upgrades over their production life and the AOD is no exception, later versions got larger bands and servos and the main clutch drums were changed to allow more clutch disks. If you're shopping for one you want a '91+ tranmsission as it will have some or all of these updates and will also be compatable with the better aftermarket parts.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
i'm hopefully several years off from needing a new tranny or engine but was fascinated as to what would be involved in upgrading from my 302 and AOD combo.
Seems like it would be a lot of work to make a switch to a 351 and a proper tranny if I were to opt for this route.
Off the top of my head potential needs:
-different transfer case
-new driveshafts
-trans crossmember
-351 computer
-351 COMPLETE motor.
that's a lot of cost and a lot of work vs replacing the stock parts with other OE type equipment.
Seems like it would be a lot of work to make a switch to a 351 and a proper tranny if I were to opt for this route.
Off the top of my head potential needs:
-different transfer case
-new driveshafts
-trans crossmember
-351 computer
-351 COMPLETE motor.
that's a lot of cost and a lot of work vs replacing the stock parts with other OE type equipment.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Santa Fe NM
This morning I did not know what mass air was, now I know what it is, and my truck has one.
You'll have to excuse the basic questions, but for the last 10 years my truck has been a 6 cyl turbo diesel.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Being an '86 it's a bit more complicated but you don't need to replace any of the drivetrain to use a 5.8. You do need a complete 5.8EFI and a 5.8 EEC, and you will also need to make some wiring changes since the harness is pinned out a bit differently on that truck versus the later truck that you would be pulling the 5.8 EEC from.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
I guess I'll be the lone decenter here, but I preferred the 302 in our '93 Bronco to the 5.8 in the '94 Bronco we just bought. I was getting 15-16 MPG with the 302, and about 12 w/the 351. The 302 pulled our boat a couple of times (5500 lbs w/trailer), and it did fine. I think it depends on what you are going to be using it for. For a truck that won't be used to tow much or haul around a lot in the bed, I like the 302. If you're going to work it hard, the 351 might make more sense. But both motors feel underpowered compared to the newer motors like my 5.4. My 351 does run like a dream, though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania Wilds
I guess I'll be the lone decenter here, but I preferred the 302 in our '93 Bronco to the 5.8 in the '94 Bronco we just bought. I was getting 15-16 MPG with the 302, and about 12 w/the 351. The 302 pulled our boat a couple of times (5500 lbs w/trailer), and it did fine. I think it depends on what you are going to be using it for. For a truck that won't be used to tow much or haul around a lot in the bed, I like the 302. If you're going to work it hard, the 351 might make more sense. But both motors feel underpowered compared to the newer motors like my 5.4. My 351 does run like a dream, though.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Yes.. all stock these old motors are down on power compared to the new modulars, but it's pretty easy to make up that and more with some simple upgrades.