rear end

[grdev]

I have a 72 with a 360 engine automatic trans, with a 3.50 rear end. The truck is not running so I have no idea what to expect for gas mileage. I want to rebuild the truck for my granddaughter so performance and load towing is secondary to fuel economy. My question is would I be better off installing a 302 engine, or keeping the 360 and just changing out the gears in the rear end, say to a 2.72 of something like that. Always been a GM guy, so my knowledge about Fords is quite limited

[jzjames]

Yes a 302 would get you much better gas mileage than the Ford 360. A Inline 6 would be even better, the 3.50 differential is a good diff. for the truck.

[Red Mercury]

My father had a 69 with a 302 automatic in it from the factory. I don't know what the gear ratio was but it did have decent gas mileage, better than my 67's with the 240 inlines. I have two 67's with 240 inlines in them--horrible gas mileage and I have swapped gears trying to increase the mileage but the 240's are too underpowered to drive a taller ratio gear set so it was a bad swap. The original ratio in my 67's was 3.70 (12MPG) and I swapped to 3.00 (15MPG) and 3.25 (15MPG).

[grdev]

will the 302 mate up to the automatic? are there any mods that would need to be made? I bought the project from an estate and there is a 460 with the truck that was going to be installed. Is there any market for that engine?

[grdev]

will the 302 mate up to the automatic? are there any mods that would need to be made? I bought the project from an estate and there is a 460 with the truck that was going to be installed. Is there any market for that engine?

[Red Mercury]

No, the 302 will not mate up to the automatic fromt he 360. It has a completely different bellhousing pattern. You need an automatic transmission with the small block ford pattern (240/300/302/351W engines). There is a market for the 460, they are often the engine of choice for engine swaps. The engine balancing was changed after 79, so I am not sure which engines are more popular (Pre-79 or After 79). I think the 460's used in cars may also have had some differences, but I am not sure. Myself, I prefer the 460's from the 73-79 trucks for engine swaps--guaranteed to fit with minimal issues. I am sure someone on here has better info. Just my opinion!

[grdev]

So if I'm to look for a 302 engine and an trans, what are some of the likely donor cars or trucks I need to search for , for my 72 F 100? Will I have an engine mount problem? I don't know what the 460 engine I have came out of, but it is a complete engine, carb and all. Would that sticker on the valve cover tell me what year it is?

thanks for the information

[HIO Silver]

Look for SBFs in Ford/Merc cars and trucks up to 81... after that the SBF engines went to a 50 oz. imbalance. Consider a newer 351W if okay with staying with stock manifolds or shorty headers - there is no 351W long tube header made for these early rigs. Late model Broncos tend to be suitable engine and trans donors... I think they were even offered with an AOD or AODE. Whatever you pull it from, try to get the entire assembly so there is no question about mismatched parts. Lastly, write down all the information you can find about the donor...year/model/VIN... everything. It's the last chance you'll get before it is crushed.

Hmm.. a valve cover sticker may provide some clues (like the decal's part number) but VCs can be easily swapped. Better to go by engineering ID numbers cast on the block and heads.

[Whateverman]

i've got a 5.0 /c 4auto and 3.50 gears in my 69 LWB f100 - right now i get up to 16 mpg around town & usually around 20 on the hwy (all depending on how i drive ) when i finally sort out the carb ,vac.modulator and kickdown linkage i'm sure that the mileage will improve a bit more
the 302 has alot less low end torque than a 360,if you're planning on doing any heavy stuff with the truck i'd either go for a 351w ,LOWER gearing or at the very least a granny geared 4spd manual trans.....

go with the newest 302/5.0 you can get,the later year ones have all the good stuff - roller cams,better pistons etc...
- lincoln towncars are good organ donors--
- econoline vans ---looking for a 351w? more than likely that E-250 will have one hiding under its doghouse

also: -make sure you get the flexplate (or flywheel) with your engine -it'll make your life alot easier not having to hunt for one with the correct balance

[ultraranger]

The 302 came out in mid-year 1968. The 302 wasn't available in the Ford F100s until 1969-1/2.

Many passenger cars and trucks came with a 302. In 1985, the Mustang 5.0L (302) engines received factory roller cams. 1985 was the last year a Mustang came with a carburetor. In '86, the Mustang 5.0L engine was equipped with fuel injection. Best years for a 5.0L H.O. (High Output) Mustang is from 1989-1993 (1986-1988 Mustangs had Speed Density). The Lincoln Mk VII's also came with 5.0L H.O. Engines, but they had Speed Density ECU's and not Mass Air. Mass Air engine processors are receptive to engine modifications. Speed Density isn't.

Thunder Birds and Cougars of similar years as the Fox and '94/'95 SN95 Mustangs also had 5.0L H.O. engines.

Ford trucks received fuel injected 5.0L engines in 1987. These are non-H.O. 5.0L Engines.

Late '80s early '90s Crown Victorias also had non-H.O. 5.0L engines.

Non-H.O. Engines wil have the old firing order of 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. H.O. Engines will have the revised firing order of 1-3-7-2-6-5-4.

The last vehicle to receive the 5.0L engine was the Ford Explorer (1996-2001). After 2001, all 5.0L (302) production ceased.