Wanting to build a 302 for 76 f-250 4x4 need advise..

I have a 76' f-250 4x4 with 4.56 gears and a grannny 4 speed and a 300-6. The 300 is pretty much shot and I have located a 78 302-2bbl for $175. I've never had a 302 that I was very happy with power wise (except EFI) and I was wondering what I could do to make this thing actualy move my truck around a little better than the 300 did. I have a 600 edelbrock laying around so a 4bbl swap is deffinately in order. What makes the mid 70's/newer carb'd 302's so weak? is it the compression ratio? I knew a guy that had a 70 f-100 with the factory 2bbl 302 and it would run all over my 72 f100 with a 351 windsor out of a 78 ltd. Can I just throw some flat top pistons and a edelbrock performer rpm cam/intake at it and get some descent power? i am not real worried about off idle tourque do to the 4.56 gears. I run about 2800/2900 rpm at 55 mph! I dont want to spend a fortune as funds are limited at this time and I would like to eventualy go to a 460 whenever I can find/build one but I know that will be a long time as I have built one many years ago and it wasn't cheap. Seems that SB ford stuff is dirt cheap though. Any advise would be appreceated. Thanks.

The "smogger" heads lower the compression a bit too much, the earlier heads were a smaller CC, thus more compression. Also, the cams were pretty much junk. The Edelbrock parts will wake it up, but a set of the "pre-smog" heads would be a very welcome addition to the package.

Is it the valve size or the combustion chambers that cause them to be weak? Also what would be a good year head pre 73'? What kind of horsepower would I be looking at with pre-smog heads and the edelbrock parts? post smog motors are what about 150hp?

Jacob... just my 2 cents.. with a 3/4 ton 4X4 I think youll get more low end grunt out of the 300-6 than the short stroke 302, the 302 is a great little motor & can make tons of horsepower for its small displacement, but in a truck like yours, I'd think torque would be more desirable than high reving horsepower. there are perf. parts & mods available for the 300.
If not the 300 & you really want to go v8, thats understandable, Id use a 351 in your truck before a 302

If you want to go with a smallblock, I would recommend a 351-w as it has more torque then a 302 and can be stroked to over 400 cubic inches if the money is available.

I totaly agree with you on a 351 being alot better choice and that a 300 has more tourque. The cheapest used 351w ive came across was $500! And I can get a 302 for $175 complete and get back on the road again. It runs now but it has a brocken/stuck? ring and blows smoke and oil out the pcv system so bad you leave a cloud behind you going down the road.

do as you like, Im just tellin you, if you go with the 302..... your gonna wish you had the 300 back

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Originally posted by stepside454
do as you like, Im just tellin you, if you go with the 302..... your gonna wish you had the 300 back

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yep I would have ta agree with you stepside the 300-6 cyl has alot more bottem end torq then the 302 or 351 other then the 300 6cyl the 429 or the 460 would be my pick for torq their ant nothing like a big block :toocool:

I would have to agree with you on tourque. I am on a limited money/time budget right now thats why I was thinking about the used 302 to get by for awhile. I wish I could find somone to buy the chevy engine I've got its useless to me or trade me for a ford. I've got a really nice SB chevy truck had a tree fall on it.



PS: really nice 65 c-10!! My first truck was a 66 c-10 stepside swapped the 6 out for a $50 307. Put a set of double hump heads an edelbrock performer rpm intake and cam and a 600 carter afb on it. Swapped the non-sync 3 speed out for a later model sycronized 3 spd and 1 piece driveshaft and hurst floor shifter. had 3.73 gears and limited slip. It would scream. Body was excelent on it bought it off a guy that got it out of arizona and never restored it like he planned. No power stearing no power brakes but I loved it just the same. Finaly had to sell it and get somthing reliable for long commute.

With 4.56 gears, I dont think torque will be an issue. It depends on what wou want people to see. A basic economical 6 or a nice clean 302. Also what you want to hear when you step on it!

If you don't want that 300-6, cause it sounds like you have already convinced yourself to get a 8cyl, I'll give you my address you can just send it to me. Hell I'll pay all shipping and handling. The 300-6's that I have had or drove you have a hard time beating them.Strong and reliable.

I remember when you started that 300 at Ford six forum, what happened to your 300?

just for a lil heads up... down here in san diego, theres a guy who sells the v8 killer.... its a 300 6 with a pepped up cam, 2barrel carb, roller rockers and a few more additions, some guys were using them on the track at the el cajon speedway in mustangs, beating out 454 vets :D..... an inline engine can produce more power than a V... its just a matter of building it for the purpose

the 300 can handle a lot of abuse as well... my dad had one in his 78 econline, he ended up finally having to sell the van in 02 because it wouldn't pass californias tough smog laws anymore... but it didn't get away without having 328000 miles on it first... he never rebuilt it... the only major work he had ever done to it was replace a headgasket when he radiator hose wore out

Quit screwing around and yard an entire 429/460 drivetrain out of another truck. I bet you could get the whole shebang for under $800 with a little persistance. Of course that depends on where you live too I guess..

Otherwise.... I agree too. The 300 I6 is the better way to go for grunt. Especially with the readily available aftermarket stuff for them. And look... you'd save the cost of boring and finish honing on 2 cylinders....annnnnd only have to rebuild 1 head rather than 2!!!:D

hi Jake i used to live in Indy , never been to Paoli`but if its like spring mill park area with the hills , i think the 300 will be wayahead of the 302 in drive ability. but when u dont have a lot of money u do what u can. Ives rdhotfrd

With 4.56 gears, Torque will not be much of an issue at all.

Hey, jake
I live in Vermont, ways off i know anyway im a truck puller and avid ford enthusiast. My advice to you is if your going build a 302 first get your hands on a set of flat top pistons. Some factory fords, econolines and heavy duty trucks had flat top 4vr pistons, get yourself a set of 289 heads The bolt holes will have to be drilled to half inch, these small chamber heads will jump the compression closer to 10:1. I had no problem running pump gas with the first one I built and it was the best 500 dollar small block on the stock circuit that year, it made awesome power. A comp cams 280 magnum cam .512/.512 works really well with this combo, my truck had 3.55 gears 4spd and I could lay posi rubber all day long with 33 inch tires. A word to the wise with 4.56 gears I would use an msd rev limiter I was pulling a friends cheby out of the mud and a missed shift at 7500 rpms will take the stock bottom end out for sure. I have the pieces to prove it! It is all in what you want to do. and spend I had 2 302s a 351w, a460, and this year im coming out with a 514 stroker. I never won a truck pull until I built a big block but for the money that 302 was the motor I had the most fun with as for the 300 their a strong durable tourque motor but it'll never hold a candle to a 10:1 302 for fun or sound