So i got word from my Father(my Mechanic lol) that i am in fact getting a running complete 351W 302 from a '73 ford F100 for Christmas
we are getting it from one of his co-workers for $200 $250 and are planning to do a low budget build!
we are going to rebuild the motor and shoot for 350hp n/a
the engine will be carbed and im looking for suggestions to help us reach our mark

and of course this thread will turn into the build thread with pics and updates!!!!!
its finally time to turn this trusty 4-banger into a 

and if anyone has already done a 4-banger swap we know the basics but would love to hear from someone who has already been thru the process!!!

Thank You!!

The initial swap (mechanical part) is a cake walk, but a few things to keep in mind.

The early blocks are balanced different than the later roller style blocks so make sure you get the right flywheel, I'm asuming yoiur going 5spd.

The factory tach will have to be changed for a V-8 model, probably eaiser to just get a cluster out of another car.

Are you gong carbed or EFI?

I know here it it cam carbed (pre 1986) then you can go either way, if it was EFI it has to stay like that.

If you go EFI you can get the set-up (upper, lower intake, and fuel rails) off a pick-up, and wiring harness and PCM, although it will be a speed density set-up.

Or you could use a MASS air set-up from a Mustang and do plug and play with the 351.

Or you would use a 4bbl intake and run like a Holley Projection, Edelbrock EFI, or such that bolts basically a throttle body to the 4bbl intake.

Now on the part of using the for EFI stuff, which will be the best plug and play to the cars original wiring harness:

Speed Density: VERY consistant and reliable, you can add lift, such as 1.7 roller rockers but you can not add camshat duration the coputer can not account for it.

MASS Air: you can add lift and a cam with quite a bit if duration, and it will compensate for the most part and run pretty good.

In all case for the HP numbers your looking for, you will have to have tuning done and a chip burned.

On the other EFI set-ups, those too will have to be tuned, they come with the software, and or units to tune them yourself, but besure you use a wide band O2 to monitor A/F readings, best if you can find a dyno with a wide band.


Accessory brakcets, you want to try and find these so as to be able to keep everything in the stock location for the V-8 set-up, and rund an serpentine belt some times they are hard to find, the V-belt set-up kinda suck.

If you look around and ask some of us have some of the things you'll probably be looking for, such as I have a 5.0 speed density set up w/PCM, and an Explorer 5.0 DIS wiring harness wo/PCM, and I also have a set of reconditioned accessory brakets.

Hope this gives you a little food for though as to thinks about your project 


Good Luck and keep us updated!

Jeff

No problem, if you have any other Q's just holler.

BTW, if the 4 popper is already carbed, is it that your car has had a face lift to the Areo Frontend, and it's actually an 86' and earlier or, what's the story there?

Ok, I see now, just not knowing about the state you live in, like I said, here in Texas, if you take a (For conversation!) a EFI 2.3 1990 flavor Mustang, drop a carbed V-8 into it, whether you in an emmisions testing city or  not, you would flunk the visual annual state inspection, and the car will be deamed not road worthy till converted correctly to EFI.

Obviously there are some states where you can get around this, and yes some who, in Texas will pay to get an illegal sticker, but the risk of suck is impoundment and auction of your vehicle if you get caught, they run these things on rounte traffic stops.

Plus you wind up with fines that are hefty, possible jail time for fraud, and then the inspection station get finded and so forth.

So for some of us it's easier to play along with the rules rather that try and find away around them, plus everytime someone goes around the ruls and gets caught the state changes the requirements the next year and makes it tougher 


Just saying 

I wasn't trying to get all law abiding on you, just that some states are pretty picky, you may not have to go through all that with NC, but you may just check anyways, would suck for you to do all that work and then have to go back and do it the way they want it.

I wasn't trying to get all law abiding on you, just that some states are pretty picky, you may not have to go through all that with NC, but you may just check anyways, would suck for you to do all that work and then have to go back and do it the way they want it.

yea dude no prob but im def gonna have to check up on all of that now cuz i def dont wanna have this car ive worked so hard on to get impounded and if i have to go EFI i guess i will have to put a little more time and a few more dollars into it even tho i dont want to lol

Are you putting any feelers out there as far as cylinder heads / head porting ...intake....cam..etc. Any ideas as to how you plan on building it?

and idk yet thats why im asking for suggestions... im sure my dad has an idea since es done rebuilds before but honestly im not too savvy with engines and this is going to be my learning project so any input you may have will be much appreciated

but once i get up with my dad and hear his plans i will def relay them here

haha im not getting paraniod im just trying to be safe lol
and thanks soo much i will check it out 

yea i checked up on a friend of mine and a parts supplier from raleigh and he has a '92 notch with a carbed 302 that is street legal and runs under 10's in the quarter so i think my slightly mild build will pass haha