I want to put an 89 5.0 w/T-5 into my 71 F-250. When going to Carb, do you need to change the distributor? An old 302 dist. won't work because of the bronze gears is what I've heard. Will any old timing cover and waterpump from a 302 work with the 5.0? Help.

 

Yes, your distributor will need to be replaced as well. The EFI distributor has a TFI module on it that handles all the advance functions in conjunction with the computer. The drive gear issue revolves around the roller motor cam being made out of concrete or kryptonite or some other indestructible substance (I don't know exactly, but I think it is hardened steel) that will wear out a normal iron distributor drive gear. The solution, I would think, would be to knock the pin out and use the drive gear off of the TFI distributor on whatever distributor you intend to use. I can't think of any reason that that wouldn't work, but one of the other guys may know more than I do. Why don't you leave it EFI? EFI in older trucks is coool, but I do realize that it is a big hassle to get it set up. Also, the timing cover and water pump are interchangeable across all years, so that shouldn't be a problem. Good luck!

 

I don't have complete answers to your questions but here is a little input. Will any old waterpump work. NO! Oh, did I go through some pain on that one. I just got an education last week. You might look back a week or so and find my belts and pulley post. Please believe me when I say you need to try to get all your stuff from the same vehicle. This includes waterpump, pulleys, brackets and harmonic balancer if possible. There are many Ford 302 waterpumps. The bosses are different for the brackets, different length on waterpump shaft, serpentine reverse rotation, hose outlet side, etc . You might get by if only running an alternator. If you are running PS and AC, find a complete bracket and pulley set at the salvage yard and get it ALL. Also don't cross the 1981 line where the harmonic balancer goes from 28oz to 50 oz. If you are going carb, you can get a remanufactured distributer very reasonable for a mid seventies 302 (uses blue grommet module). I believe I paid around $40 for mine. I can give yu a part number if needed. They asked me what dist gear I wanted when I bought it. I now know why after reading Blue Oval Rage's post. Hope this helped. Just ask if I confused you with my rambling.

Dewayne

 

Ok, so change the distributor, no problem, the truck has power nothing, just an altenator. I figured I would just need the alt bracket and timing cover/fuel/water pump.
I would have used EFI, but that will go into a different vehicle (Hopefully, that Cobra project still trying to get off the ground.)
Thanks guys.

 

Sounds like you got a plan. Try to get as much as possible off the same donor vehicle and you should be in good shape.

Dewayne