i'm bored.

[ezernut9mm]

i love my truck (just like toby keith), and a nice as it is to look at, it is kinda boring to drive. i want more. i really want to put a v8 in it. and i actually like the 3 on the tree. i have an 81 302, but it was an auto. it should be a 50oz imbalance engine, but how can i tell? i had an auto behind it so i would need a manual flywheel and i want to make sure i get the right one. also input shaft diameters ??? yada yada.
i guess i want to know if i can put my 81 302 in front of my 66 3 speed? and what problems i might run into or what parts i need to do this.

[62galxe]

Sounds like you need another truck to keep you busy.

[LM14]

Pull the pan and look at the crank casting numbers.

2M/2MA = 28.2 oz. imbalance factor
2MAE = 50 oz. imbalance factor

You are most likely a 28oz motor, don't think they made the 50oz change until 85/86 area.

SPark

[ICEMAN6166]

you are not going to get much more out of a 302 than the 300.
2 cubic inches in my opinion is not worth getting greasy hands over.
351W maybe

[jamesdfo]

I have never been able to consistently remember which weight of imbalance was early and which was late (but always remember to ask what parts came off of:)...but now that Spark has listed 28.8 oz as early, and 50 oz as late, the one thing I can tell you is that the switch started in 1981. I had an '81 F150 SWB, and when the 302 cratered, I found an '88 Mustang 5.0 Roller motor, but it came with a man trans flywheel.
So, I called Ford Motorsports Tech line, and they explained to me how to determine which flexplate I had (sorry, this was in '91, details are foggy)...in the end, the one that came off my engine was correct for the 5.0 Roller motor.....

James

Pull the pan and look at the crank casting numbers.

2M/2MA = 28.2 oz. imbalance factor
2MAE = 50 oz. imbalance factor

You are most likely a 28oz motor, don't think they made the 50oz change until 85/86 area.

SPark

[banjopicker66]

With a deeply respectful nod to the Iceman, I disagree that the 302 will not be different.
Issue is stroke and bore, not CID.
Long stroke engines like the 300-6 develop more torque, especially at lower RPMs, but run out of oomph at about 5500 RPMs or even less (assuming naturally aspirated and in stock or near stock configuration, etc.)
Short strokers like the 302 wind up much faster even when in stock configuration and naturally aspirated, and develop more horsepower at higher RPMs, but don't have a lot of torque in comparison.
(Actually, the proper descriptions are "undersquare" and "oversquare" - but long stroke and short stroke will do.)
For our trucks, you would want a lower gear ratio than 3.50 behind a 302 to "enjoy" it. More like 3.75-ish or a 4.11, due to the weight and the fact that Slicks have all the aerodynamic advantages of a wet brick.

For jumping on the go pedal, Chris, I would really recommend a 460. Easy to come by, easy to install in our Slicks, gives lots of performance with stock parts. Lots of fun, too. Put it in front of a E4OD built tough, and you can burn rubber but get decent highway mileage with a 3.50, 3.25 or even a 3.00. Even with a C6 you won't do too badly.
Use a 600 CFM carb, though, you do NOT need a 750 unless you are planning on running down the race track.

If you do go with a 460, I think you will need the front springs from a truck with a 352. A 300-6 may not have strong enough front springs. I did not have to change my springs when I went from the factory FE to the 385. I DID install disc brakes, though!

The 460 is on the line between the definitions of short and long stroke motors. It has enough power to be a torquey workhorse, but still has enough oversquare characteristic that it winds out nicely. Trust me - you WILL like a 460 in front of an automatic and a3.25 rear axle ratio!

Maybe you really need another truck to do this, though!

[ICEMAN6166]

perhaps its because i have always used trucks as trucks that i have never been impressed with the use of 302s.

i do think 429/460 is a good choice

[Uncle Skip]

The only thing that will outrun cubic inches is cubic money.

[ezernut9mm]

i don't want to build a race car. i want an engine that sounds good enough going down the road that i can take the giant radio box out that is installed in the truck. i already have the 302 so all i really need is a manual flywheel, a different intake/carb and new exhaust. should be doable for under 5 bills.

[frdnut]

The switch from 28 oz to 50oz did indeed start in 1981 ao you could have either....If you do some googling online I am sure you can find a picture of the weights on the flywheels..The 50oz weight is obviously much bigger than the 28 oz.....As for the 302 swap that era of smog 302s was about as bad as it got for hp..I had a 1982 F100 with the 302 and it was an absolute dog...I swapped in a 1969 429 thunderjet and the difference was AMAZING...I had more power than I knew what to do with and it even got better gas mileage!

[ICEMAN6166]

i thought you had a clifford and headers for the 6 ?

[Alan Mclennan]

Ezer I`ve got the answer for you mate!, and you`ll have enough money left over to buy some Aussie beer!, try this out for size!!!.......................

[F7BIGJOB]

Alan, leave it to you, that's great and Chris, you can leave it stock

[Gritsngumbo]

Chris: A few years ago I was exploring putting a different engine in Little Red for the purpose of obtaining Power steering and air conditioning. A member delicately told me: "Stop screwing around with that pretty little truck and buy another one to hot rod."
Good advice.

[F7BIGJOB]

[Greg D]

I would try the cliffy on the 6 first if it were me.
If you need a carb for it I have 2 Holley Economaster 465 cfm 4 bbls that otta be just about right for the 300.
They are yours if you want them.

[Gritsngumbo]

That being said, NOTHING is going to sound like a V-8...no matter what you do to it.

[RhodySlick'63]

Steve...I gave that guy your number.

-Tim

[ezernut9mm]

wow, hey tim! never see you on here. i hope the farm is doing good.

and as for everything else, i am not looking for a big power increase, i just want a nice v8 tone thru some duals and glasspacks.
brian, yes i do have a cliffie and headers for the 6. it might be the ticket, but will it ever sound the same as an 8? prolly not.
frdnut, yes, i'm sure that 302 is a 150hp dog. the early 80's were the worst for hp.
i dunno. maybe i'll just start tearing off the intake/exhaust and bolt up my cliffie stuff and see what i get.
if i had my druthers, i would buy a fpp stroked 302 with a 5 speed and call it good, but i don't have 5k laying around.

[Casey 65]

I totally understand loving the sound of a v8, I've had a bunch! That being said, a six with a split manifold and duals has a pretty nice sound of it's own!