Topic: 302 swap or rebuild? (Read 7774 times)

billy · « **on:** May 10, 2012, 04:51:07 AM »

swap or rebuild?
my 1981 ford 302 has the following symptoms,and my experienced mechanic buddies say it is piston slap.
starts and idles fine
at about 45-50 mph i get a tapping from the #4 cylinder that gets louder the faster i go.
i just dont trust this engine with god only knows how many miles on it.
keeping in mind that i am no sort of mechanic.
would it make more financial sense to simply buy a different engine and swap it out rather than jump in head first and try my hand at rebuilding a 31 year old engine with an unknown past?
and if a swap is the way to go.
just how difficult would it be?

TesTed · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2012, 07:51:20 AM »

There should he plenty of fox body mustangs out there with a good 225hp 302 donor just looking for a new home. That's the route I would go seeing how nothing would need changed besides swapping the fuel injection for your carb and intake

hotwheels · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2012, 07:53:08 AM »

I would just swap another 302 into er.......You can either find another old motor, or you can buy a short block from http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-6009E/79-95-Economy-50L-Mustang-Short-Block and just use your top end.....

TesTed · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2012, 07:55:50 AM »

Then if you want to go the rebuild route you can always go with the popular 347 stroker

obama · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2012, 08:27:19 AM »

agree with the pick up another motor theory, I would check a few things first tho, what do the plugs look like, then, could it be a rocker adjustment?
Then I'd start shopping for a runner.

billy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2012, 02:40:23 PM »

i know it is 4 because i was killing each cylinder one at a time and the noise stopped at the 4.

thank you all for the valuable advice.
i hate to say it but
with my spinal arthritis after completely screwing my back up moving furniture.
anything that gets done to this car.
i am not going to be able to do.
that means i am actually going to have to hire a mechanic.
i cant believe i just said that.

OldMusher · « **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2012, 11:01:49 AM »

If you do go the swap method...don't forget that a 351W will bolt right in to a 302 bellhousing/motor mounts. Water pump the same, headers will generally interchange unless you really have tight quarters. (351 block decks are 1.1" taller, so engine is a little taller and wider.), heads will swap over. This will give you 50 lb/ft more torque with the same heads and tune-up. Intakes are wider and distributors are longer...some accessory bolt holes may be a little off. Overhauling either motor is the same price for similar components. Shop around: Summit and Jegs do NOT have the cheapest prices on Ford stuff.

billy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2012, 01:37:07 PM »

in a 5 minute test search i found a stock turn key 302 with a 3 year 100'000 mile warranty for $1070 delivered and no tax

hotwheels · « **Reply #8 on:** May 14, 2012, 08:21:46 PM »

Dats a good buy..........

WV junkman · « **Reply #9 on:** May 14, 2012, 11:07:13 PM »

That does sound like a good buy. What is the engine in?

billy · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2012, 03:18:25 PM »

it is in nothing .
it is from a company that rebuilds engines

WV junkman · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2012, 10:12:09 PM »

What I was asking is what is the engine that you are replacing in?

billy · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:09:37 PM »

Quote from: WV junkman on May 15, 2012, 10:12:09 PM

What I was asking is what is the engine that you are replacing in?

my 27 chevy

WV junkman · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2012, 10:35:29 AM »

Did you ever make a decision on the engine? Or you still settling in from the move?

billy · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2012, 04:20:17 PM »

Quote from: WV junkman on June 14, 2012, 10:35:29 AM

Did you ever make a decision on the engine? Or you still settling in from the move?

you aint gonna believe this bro but
i am moving yet again.
i will swap the engine but i have to be still in one place long enough to do it!
sky said we could do the swap at his place in a day.
so i may end up putting my new engine in the bed of my gmc 2500k and trailering the 27 to his house
stay at a hotel until it is done.

WV junkman · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2012, 05:26:01 PM »

WOW another move already. That would get old. May consider a travel trailer or RV. LOL

billy · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2012, 05:38:50 AM »

Quote from: WV junkman on June 15, 2012, 05:26:01 PM

WOW another move already. That would get old. May consider a travel trailer or RV. LOL

we are putting everything but my auto tools,my guns and the hotrod in storage until we figure out what the hell is going on.

WV junkman · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2012, 08:04:48 AM »

Good luck billy, I hope you can get things figured out soon. And get some normalcy back in your life.

billy · « **Reply #18 on:** August 12, 2012, 06:40:03 AM »

rod bearing trashed intself and screwed up the cam as well.
when we opened up up we were amazed it ran.
so i just bought a replacement 302 from checker.
3 year unlimited mile warranty.
i am not and dont know any machinists so it was cheaper to just buy a new one.
i called in some favors so i am only out about $500 for a new engine installed

obama · « **Reply #19 on:** August 12, 2012, 10:48:54 AM »

sounds like you be get'n off cheap.
let us know when she's a runner.

hotwheels · « **Reply #20 on:** August 12, 2012, 02:32:12 PM »

So is it a short block or a long block? Just curious........Should be fine running a motor from them, i put one of their remans in a willies.....

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AuthorTopic: 302 swap or rebuild? (Read 7774 times)