1989 Ford f150 needs a motor.

[BigD1]

A good friend of mine bought a 1989 Ford f150 a couple years back, and the motor blew after he had it year. It's been sitting ever since. He bought the truck from a guy that had kept it in immaculate condition. It had new paint, interior re-upholstered, lift kit, wheel upgrades, and I don't know what else because I have only driven it once. My friend came by the house today, and he was driving a brand new Fusion. I asked him about the truck, and he said he would sell it to me for $1,000 cash. I am going to do it, because this truck is immaculate besides the engine.

My friend says it has a 302 in it, and it has four wheel drive with a four speed transmission. All that works fine. Just needs a motor. A shop close by said they would rebuild it for $1500 out the door, but that was a year ago. Stock horse power and torque would be good enough for me, but I am not sure which way to go on the engine purchase. Let me know what you think.

This is not the truck, but here is a picture of the truck I found on the web, and it is exact same color, about the same lift, and the wheels and tires look close too plus it has an aluminum toolbox just like the picture. The truck in the picture, and the truck I am buying could be twins!

 

[OVERKILL]

Wish you were closer, I've got the built 302HO out of my Mustang just taking up space in my garage, I was actually going to put it in an F-150 if I could find a clean one. I'd sell you the engine for $1,000 just to get it out of my garage, but the logistics of getting it to where you are make it not overly viable

 

[Donald]

I would get a reman engine from a quality engine re-manufacturer. Then get a local person to install it if you cannot handle that. There is a huge difference between a rebuilt and reman. The local guys do not have the really expensive machines for machining the engine. The block might not be rebuild-able. Companies like Jasper use better than original parts in areas that might have been weak from the factory.

 

[fdcg27]

Road trip to GTA?

 

[supton]

How much is a crate 351? I *think* one of the 351's would drop in, although I guess there might be issues with the ECU... but I'd be tempted to go that route myself (unless if it proved to be too much work, in which case I might go crate 302). Reason being, warranty, one stop / one drop.

What blew on the motor? That might determine its suitability for rebuilding.

 

[DuckRyder]

Without the whole motor a 351w is a non trivial swap (Its taller and wider so the manifolds and accessory mounting is all different)

ATK and Jasper both make decent engines but they won't be cheap, If a shop can rebuild it (not replace with a parts store engine) for 1500.00 thats probably your best bet...

 

[FlyNavyP3]

I absolutely disagree that a local machine shop cannot "remanufacture" an engine. If it's a reputable shop and the engine doesn't have a hole in the block I'd bring it to them. If the block is ruined then perhaps a crate engine but be careful what you get. The stock electronics wont like a performance cam so that either leaves swapping the stock cam in or finding essentially a Ford service replacement crate engine. I know Ford used to sell them new, both the 351W and 302 for stock applications. GM still sells new service replacement crate engines for a very reasonable price. If you have specific questions about it PM me.

 

[DuckRyder]

http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/CatalogResults.aspx?y=1989&m=Ford&mo=F-150#Search

F1TZ-6V012-ARM
(LGB-144-RM)


Engine Long Block
5.0L 302 CID 8 Cylinders; w/ Knock Sensor
MSRP $2,568.47

 

[bullwinkle]

I did that swap years ago, a 351W out of a '73 or '74 Galaxie 500 into my '77 F-100, but I had all the brackets, accessories, etc., they were both 2 barrel carb motors. I don't remember it being that difficult.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Without the whole motor a 351w is a non trivial swap (Its taller and wider so the manifolds and accessory mounting is all different)



I thought there was a smaller 351? Same family as whatever the 302 was. I recall Cleveland, Windsor, and "M"... I was always a Chevy guy, so I didn't pay attention.

I wonder what that $1,500 rebuild buys you. Hot tanking, boring, decking, line hone? What about head work? Blueprinting shouldn't be needed at this level, but it'd be a great time for an RV cam or any other mild mods. Speaking of head work, I know for the Chevy guys, for a while the Vortec heads were the hot ticket--for about the same price as rebuilding heads, one could buy new heads which would probably outflow the old ones. Any similar deals for a 302? Sometimes a few extra bucks here or there can be a good call.

 

[Chris142]

I'm with the drop a another/rebuild 302 back into it. A 351 will swap but will need extra work and parts to do so. Btw that's probably the best trucks ever made

 

[DuckRyder]

Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Without the whole motor a 351w is a non trivial swap (Its taller and wider so the manifolds and accessory mounting is all different)



I thought there was a smaller 351? Same family as whatever the 302 was. I recall Cleveland, Windsor, and "M"... I was always a Chevy guy, so I didn't pay attention.


A 302 (5.0) and a 351 (5.8) Windsor are both "Windsor Engines" but the 351 has a taller deck, so the intake manifold is different (I am not sure if the 5.0 truck upper will bolt onto the 5.8 lower either), distributor is different, accessory drives are different and the exhaust manifolds generally are longer. There was essentially only one 302 (5.0) save the rare boss which is why no one runs around saying 302 (or 289) Windsor. Note too that the balance factor changed in the late 70's or early 80's for the Windsors. The firing order and whether the FI is SEFI or Batch gets muddy in here too.

The 351 Cleveland is a different animal altogether and the 351 Modified and 400 Modified are sort of a Cleveland/Lima motor combination. Neither a Cleveland or Modified would be something I'd attempt.

A complete truck 5.8 would be a nice swap if you could find one as an assembly, you'll probably need the computer and perhaps the harness.

Originally Posted By: supton
I wonder what that $1,500 rebuild buys you. Hot tanking, boring, decking, line hone? What about head work? Blueprinting shouldn't be needed at this level, but it'd be a great time for an RV cam or any other mild mods. Speaking of head work, I know for the Chevy guys, for a while the Vortec heads were the hot ticket--for about the same price as rebuilding heads, one could buy new heads which would probably outflow the old ones. Any similar deals for a 302? Sometimes a few extra bucks here or there can be a good call.


I wonder too, the machine work alone on my block and heads was more than 1500.00.

I've also been into Jasper Motors that had three different size pistons in them and had to put two ATK's in one of these trucks due to a leaking rear main, they did warranty it.

This truck is speed density injection, be careful with camshafts.

The Ford guys have GT40 and GT40P heads, the GT40P heads are Explorer heads, but usually need special exhaust manifolds due to plug angles IIRC.

 

[BigD1]

Originally Posted By: Donald
I would get a reman engine from a quality engine re-manufacturer. Then get a local person to install it if you cannot handle that. There is a huge difference between a rebuilt and reman. The local guys do not have the really expensive machines for machining the engine. The block might not be rebuild-able. Companies like Jasper use better than original parts in areas that might have been weak from the factory.


I have a Jasper reman GM 3.1 in my Oldsmobile that's about 10 years old with almost 95,000 miles. Been a good engine so far, and I still don't have to add any oil between oil change intervals.

Went to their website, and it says they have a catalog, but that link just takes me to their installer list.

 

[SatinSilver]

www.summitracing.com has engines and is a local company. They don't sell Jaspers but have the ATK engines for your truck.

Engine Choices

 

[DuckRyder]

Find the Perfect Product

LD | Ford | 1989 | F-150 | XLT Lariat | Engine | 145813
MULTIPORT FUEL INJ. (8TH VIN-CHAR "N") GASOLINE ENGINE
COMPLETE, GAS

For applications over one ton, please do not include an installation kit.
We do not offer kits for these specific applications.

Price: 2268.00
Core Charge: 270.00 Review JASPER's Core Policy
Skid Charge: 15.00
Kit Price: 347.00
Premium Service Plan Price: 255.00

 

[FranklinJL]

Don't know what your budget is, but my engine builder has a 351 with a bunch of goodies for like 4K. Makes 475. Guess a mustang guy backed out and didn't pay. Let me know I'll pm you his number.

Can you weld? I did the 302/351 swap in a "OJ" Bronco and it took some cutting, and basic welding....the motor fits, but it's much wide and taller...you'll need some custom headers, which in NASCAR country, should be easy to find.

Found a wiring harness and ECU after calling about 20 junkyards in Southern California

I'd make it a neat project truck...I'd find a 460 from a 3/4 ton rebuild it, and swap that in. Around here a 460 costs about 1200-1500

 

[BigD1]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Find the Perfect Product

LD | Ford | 1989 | F-150 | XLT Lariat | Engine | 145813
MULTIPORT FUEL INJ. (8TH VIN-CHAR "N") GASOLINE ENGINE
COMPLETE, GAS

For applications over one ton, please do not include an installation kit.
We do not offer kits for these specific applications.

Price: 2268.00
Core Charge: 270.00 Review JASPER's Core Policy
Skid Charge: 15.00
Kit Price: 347.00
Premium Service Plan Price: 255.00


Thanks!

I finally found it on the Jasper website, but it required an email address for what ever reason.

 

[OVERKILL]

The cheapest drop-in would be an Explorer engine. Get the whole thing. Rip off the COP ignition, put your distributor in it, leave the Explorer intake (it is excellent), the cam is mild so it should behave well with your Speed Density injection. If you get a 96, it has the GT40 heads (not the P's) so your manifolds should bolt up no problem. If you get a 97 or later, you'll need to use headers or the Explorer manifolds. This engine makes an honest 30HP more than the stock engine in the truck and 10 or so lb-ft of torque. You should be able to get one from the wreckers for like $500.00 if you shop around. They are roller cammed and you COULD get away with swapping in a stock 302HO camshaft, would would bump the HP up another 20 or so IIRC. But that depends on how deep you want to get into the engine.

 

[BigD1]

Right now I think I am going to roll with ATK High Durability engine. It's about $500 more than the standard ATK DFA4 engine because it has a new valve train plus the other stuff listed below. Not sure if the extra $500 is worth it over the standard engine.

HDE Engine: (High Durability Engine) Hypereutectic Coated Pistons, New Camshaft, All New Valve Train! Valves, Springs, Rocker Arms, Pushrods, No Weld Or Crack Repaired Heads w/ All New Hardened Seats, Double Roller Timing Chain.

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/ATKHD15/ATKHD15_0191448705

I found a few Jasper engine installers in my area, and I know a couple of them do excellent work. Going to make a call tomorrow, and see what it will cost me for turn key. Probably will be my best bet anyway.

 

[SatinSilver]

Maybe you and Overkill can meet each other half way if you're both up to it. Just an idea.