Can i use a 69' 302 shortblock in my 88'?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Zuk Named Stitch

New member
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
portsmouth, virginia
The mains went on my 88' 302. I have another 302, with after-market rods, pistons and cam. (block came from a 69' cougar).

Any problems with snatching out the stock block and putting the semi-built one in its place? The 88' is fuel injected...if that matters?

Thanks!

 

swampthing

New member
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
636
Reaction score
1
Location
New Jersey
everything should bolt right up..only problem will be the cam with EFI...lousy computers

 
OP
OP
Z

Zuk Named Stitch

New member
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
portsmouth, virginia
everything should bolt right up..only problem will be the cam with EFI...lousy computers
Awesome!

I have a performer (carb.) intake manifold and a 650 dual feed holley...would i be better off tossing the injection? This is for my tow rig. I know little about carb's...that would be my fathers contribution!

 

Justshootme84

Rest in Peace Friend! Never forgotten..
Moderator
Joined
Feb 20, 2004
Messages
4,209
Reaction score
11
Location
Palacios, TX
Welcome to Bronco Zone!!! The 69 302 short block will bolt right up to your heads and intakes, but the camshaft will certainly be an issue with the fuel injection. Personally, I would convert the motor back to the holley carb and ditch the EFI, for the sake of simplicity. You may have to change the lifters, pushrods and rocker arms since the 69 is a flat tappet cam. PRolly the easiest thing to do is swap cams for the 88 302 and keep the EFI. Just my $0.02, but there may be more involved in the swap due to the difference in years. JSM84

 
OP
OP
Z

Zuk Named Stitch

New member
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
portsmouth, virginia
Hey - Thanks for the Welcome!

I guess i will look into sourcing the proper parts to go back to carb. Thanks for the info. I will post pics when i start to put it together, should be after the holiday! Its an f150 by the way, hope no one minds. (since this is the bronco forum) The 69' was being built for my fathers 67' bronco, he choose to keep the original 289.

 

Justshootme84

Rest in Peace Friend! Never forgotten..
Moderator
Joined
Feb 20, 2004
Messages
4,209
Reaction score
11
Location
Palacios, TX
Zuk, if you know the specs on the cam and other internals on the older block, some of the gurus here could tell you what will work and what won't if you swap into the 88.

 

swampthing

New member
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
636
Reaction score
1
Location
New Jersey
i made anotehr post basically stating everything involved..but i will list here again..you need (obviously) intake, carb, MSD, distributor ( to wire in the MSD)and as justshootme stated you will be better off going to carb BUT cam may be the issue as he also stated. you most likely have the roller motor and you have to change the push rods lifters and rockers, or you can send the block to a machine shop have them drill and ap the motor for the lifter plate..summit also sells special pieces to keep the lifers inline when going from a flat tapet to roller cam..i cant remember the price but depending on what you want to do and how much a machine shop would charge it might be cheaper for you...and just so ya know at the top of the forum there is a link to ford f series forum which thats for pick ups and such...i also have a pick up (88 f250) but i am here to give advice and such from all my experience with broncos...anything else feel free to ask

 

BLADE262US

Active member
Joined
Feb 21, 2004
Messages
1,713
Reaction score
5
Location
Michigan
AHHHH Yes one thing that has been over looked here ia a 69 302 is a good one with a heavy crank and being that the crank is heavy it is weighted different than your 88 light crank with the 50 oz weight on the flywheel so what Im saying is DO NOT bolt your 88 flywheel to that 69 motor or you will have a terrible vibration that will cost you alot of money . And on the fuel injection if it were me I would keep it most people say toss it because it is intimidating to see all those wires and sensors and not know where they all go and a carb well **** bolt it on and go as long as its not really rough stuff to where it floods out , keep adjusting choke for weather differences , and poor fuel economy if you dont keep it tuned . The fuel injection system will work just fine on your 69 it wont know its there you just have to make sure you do 2 things 1. you absolutely must run a cam that has as close to the same specs as the cam in the 88 motor as you can get your hands on , The timing events are the key lift , duration , lobe seperation thats what the EEC is looking for . And 2 the dizzy from your 88 can be used it is a bit longer at the end than your 69 one but that is fine just make sure that the oil pump drive shaft has enough movement when the dizzy is installed and the oil pump in place the shaft should be able to move up and down a bit not tight . You absolutely must change the dizzy gear with a non roller cam gear . After that your all set . fordfuelinjection.com is a good place to read up on how the EEC works once you get a handle on that youll never carborate again . :D /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

Yardape

New member
Joined
Sep 18, 2006
Messages
2,414
Reaction score
5
Location
Alberta
Another thing that was overlooked by the others, The Oil dipstick tube location. The newer style has a hole through the block. The older style has the hole in the timing chain cover. And the water pump on serpentine belt systems turn backwards. If you use the older style timing chain cover you will have to block off the fuel pump hole. Also I don't know how accurate your oil reading will be you would have to get used to it. (If you use the old style cover)

 

swampthing

New member
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
636
Reaction score
1
Location
New Jersey
if he uses the old style cover he has to run the old style pump (v-belt) i had encountered that problem with my old truck...the ports on the case on older dont match a newer pump.

 

Yardape

New member
Joined
Sep 18, 2006
Messages
2,414
Reaction score
5
Location
Alberta
Yes thats right. I sold my 1990 302 and the guy put it in an '86 Bronco. We then discovered that dilema

 
OP
OP
Z

Zuk Named Stitch

New member
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
portsmouth, virginia
I will snap off some shots of the block this weekend. My dad isn't even sure if its a 69'...DoH!

It has an edelbrock performer cam in it, that is the extent of what i know, other than its bored .40 over and has eagle rods and je pistons.

I prefer fuel injection, as i am more familiar with tuning an ECM than a CARB. I build turbo 4 cylinders and rotaries as a hobby (no comments please) I am knew to the world of V8's and pushrods. I just wasn't sure of the compatibility of things like the manifold, distributor, etc..

I saw the f-trucks forums, don't really do much with the 150 before now. We have had several pre-70 bronco's we have built up. (father and I) None real special, usually just built motors and big tires.

Thanks for the advice. This truck was given to me by my grandfather and i would like to hold on to it for awhile, I think he'd appreciate seeing it with some REAL power!

Looks like i need to do some reaserch on what i have and what i need, i will get an accurate parts list while i am at my fathers this weekend.

Thanks again guys!! Having no tow rig has really killed my wheelin'!

*edit* Happy Turkey Day!!!

 
Last edited by a moderator:

Yardape

New member
Joined
Sep 18, 2006
Messages
2,414
Reaction score
5
Location
Alberta
If I were you I'd get a 5.0HO out of a mustang, from the auto wreckers. They are a dime a dozen now and the only thing that will have to be changed is the upper intake. Much faster and easier swap.

 

Seabronc

New member
Joined
May 22, 2004
Messages
7,315
Reaction score
35
Location
North of NYC
:) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

fordfuelinjection.com is a good place to read up on how the EEC works once you get a handle on that youll never carborate again . :D /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
A carb can be just as economical as EFI if not more. You just gotta know more. After all part of the fun is messing around with the engine :) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> .

:p /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I'd carborate any day :D /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

:)>-

 
Last edited by a moderator:

BLADE262US

Active member
Joined
Feb 21, 2004
Messages
1,713
Reaction score
5
Location
Michigan
LOL to each his own on the carb / EFI situation for me its EFI all the way . The EEC computer you use must be for a V8 and must be for the tranny you are running . The timing curves and calculations are different for a C6 than they are for an AOD or E4OD . :D /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

Members online

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
22,709
Messages
137,175
Members
25,450
Latest member
Coastersfwb
Top