302 conversion

gullion_a86 · Post by **gullion_a86** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:37 am

I'm getting a 302 out of my cousin's 94' F-150 4x4 and I wanted to know what all I have to get off of his truck to make it work in my B2? I 'm getting the engine, and transmission but don't know what else I need to get out of it. Also the 302 is weak and needs to be worked on. It does run but just not good. What do I need to do to the engine to get the most power out of it other than a cam and intake? By the way my truck is a 1985 B2 with the worst auto tranny Ford made. I also need to know what I need to do to the suspension to make it hold up to the power of the 302.

Post by **Nobody** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:00 am

A bone stock tired worn out 302 should be plenty to bring a smile to your face. Therefore I wouldn't worry about any engine mods.

If you really want more power, I would look for a different engine. One from a mustang, thunderbird, exploder etc.... They will have different heads and cams. You'll need to research which is the best. I think some come from the factory at 225HP or more. I strongly believe in using OEM parts if they are available.

I assume your BII is currently carbed, so you'll have to work out the fuel lines for the fuel injection.

As far as what to take, take as much as you can. But most importantly, get the complete harness and computer. Throw away what you don't use.

Other than being slightly heavier, a 302 won't affect your suspension

Your axles on the otherhand may need to be upgraded. Depends how you drive. If you drive with some common sense, your axles should last for quite a while.

OCD4B2 · Post by **OCD4B2** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:09 pm

Auto or manual? and what about ur t-case, if i had all that i would completly change my whole setup to whats in the ford full size.

marinebroncoii · Post by **marinebroncoii** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:36 pm

I would go ahead and do a rebuild on the engine before you put it in it will be much easier. Go with a new cam, all new bearings and rings, timing chain and oil pump. Some of the trucks came with decent heads that you could get reworked and intakes that can be polished for beter flow, and with a new Throttle Body or whatever they call it on the Fords (Not into FI that much) you would have plenty of power. Not sure about the oil pan working for you. The T-case will be too wide for your framerails so you could either notch and brace the frame or an NP205 should bolt up to the adapter, not sure about the splines on the output shaft matching. Another option is an adapter from James Duff or Advanced Adapters but I wouldn't recommend it. I take it you are getting a great deal on this engine and don't want or need to spend money finding a 5.0 from a mustang when you could spend the same to rebuild the F-150 engine and have more power. If you don't want to mess with the computer and all that you could do like I did on my '88 5.0 and put in an MSD or Accel distributer and throw on an Edelbrock intake and Holley offroad carb. For Axle upgrades if you don't plan on going too crazy I would swap in the Dana 35 and 8.8 from a 4.0 ranger or explorer. If you do plan on lifting really high or going crazy offroad I would put in a Dana 44 or Better yet a Dana 60 front and a 9 inch or Dana 60 rear. If you go with the solid Dana 44 from a late '70s F-100/Bronco you could use the rear from the F-150 for matching width and bolt pattern.

ranger5.0 · Post by **ranger5.0** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:48 pm

I believe the Intakes from F.I. truck engines are to tall to fit under the hoods of a BII/Ranger. I would also go with the 5.0 out of a car.

DBrown · Post by **DBrown** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 7:59 am

I think it would help to give you advice if you told us if it is an HO or not?

if it is a non HO but EFI you can convert it over to HO specs (roller cam and intake) except for changing the bottom end to forged and you will still get the 225 hp you would be after. the block is already drilled to accept the roller top end and if you open it up and it is not you only have to drill and tap 2 holes in the lifter vally to make it work for the retainers. the stock HO cam is probably what you will need to get the best bang for the buck, and remember you are taking a motor out of 5000lb+ truck and putting it in a 3500lb truck........your power to weight ratio will rock and you will be happy.

marinebroncoii · Post by **marinebroncoii** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 7:36 pm

In comment to the Truck intakes not fitting, I know they will with a 3 inch body lift and it will make everything else fit alot easier as well. You would be happy with a stock 302 even if it wasn't HO. The thing is for how long? You are always gonna want a little more and the easies time to do anything to the engine is while it is out on a stand, so if it has very many miles why not just do a rebuild and put a few high performance parts in it? Throw in a B303 or E303 roller cam if it is roller, or a summit cam to give it some lope at idle and some more power. Work the heads a little and get them flowing better. In an 85 I would probably (and did in mine)throw on an intake and carb and not mess with all the computer bullshit, but I'm not sure if your tranny is computer controlled or not.

gullion_a86 · Post by **gullion_a86** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:30 am

Thanks for all the help, but my cousin is being a b!tch and now is going to sell the truck because he says it's too big for him. Now I'm just going to find a 4.0 from a Ranger and put in it. Your B2 is sweet marinebroncoii.
I would rather have a 3" lift with a 2" or 3" body lift with 33s or something. Again everyone thanks for all the help.