Rebuild vs Replace on a Ford 302

Capm_Spaulding · Dec 13, 2020

Just bought a 94 bronco with 250k. Engine ticks, but otherwise very clean.
I bought it knowing the engine was sick, so now I’m trying to decide what to do...

Any Ford guys here have an opinion? Also seeking recommendations on where to source a 5.0 if that’s the way I go and lastly if you all can point me towards a decent mechanic around Edmond that could do the swap or rebuild. I usually do all my own mechanic work, but just don’t have the tools or space to do a full swap or tear down so it’s all new territory for me to find someone trustworthy.

Aries · Dec 13, 2020

I've only ever replaced an engine in a truck one time, but having had it all done by a mechanic it was less expensive to have a rebuilt engine put in than to have the old engine rebuilt. Probably was much quicker too. FWIW it was a 1982 Ford F150 with 5.0 engine.

My experience is very limited, though...

Okie4570 · Dec 13, 2020

If you're not going to do the work yourself regardless, I would concentrate on finding the mechanic and let him check out the tick. Assuming this isn't going to be a daily driver? 250k with a tick could still be something simple such as exhaust valve stem cap with a hole in it, of that can't be determined without tearing into it. If you start sourcing swaps, keep in mind the bronco and truck upper intakes and front dress are different than the Explorer and Mustangs so be prepared to swap your bronco parts back onto a Explorer/Mustang engine if you go that route.

Roy14 · Dec 13, 2020

A buddy of mine at the fire station could probably handle an engine swap for you. He’s done a few. He actually just did his 2010 F150, ended up going with a new engine over rebuilding. From pricing engines the last few years for potential projects, I’ve found it’s cheaper to buy a new one with warranty and just swap as opposed to rebuild and not know what you might end up having to do to it, and no guarantee of work. Just my .02 I’m by no means an expert. I only know enough to get myself into trouble.

emapples · Dec 13, 2020

Okie4570 said:
If you're not going to do the work yourself regardless, I would concentrate on finding the mechanic and let him check out the tick. Assuming this isn't going to be a daily driver? 250k with a tick could still be something simple such as exhaust valve stem cap with a hole in it, of that can't be determined without tearing into it. If you start sourcing swaps, keep in mind the bronco and truck upper intakes and front dress are different than the Explorer and Mustangs so be prepared to swap your bronco parts back onto a Explorer/Mustang engine if you go that route.

Or a loose spark plug ......drove my old 86 4Runner with a tick for two years before I found it

swampratt · Dec 13, 2020

I bought a 1978 Skylark that had a miss.
Yep one cylinder was down on that 231 V6 probably a burned valve.
$120 bucks for the car.
I had the wife drive it after I spent 300 on the AC system.
She logged 75,000 miles on it and it began knocking pretty bad.
Got my money out of that one.

Friend had a 260" olds engine that had a rod knocking.
He delivered Pizza in Moore Ok. with that car and asked me to gather up some 350 Olds stuff to build him an engine.
He said he would stick it in when this 260" died.

A little over 2 years later he drove it to the house and said it needs that 350" NOW!
We pulled the 260 and set it on the ground with the cherry picker.
The Picker lowered too fast and the engine came down pretty quick and hit the balancer on the dirt ground and broke the front of the crank because the balancer was now at an odd angle.

Took the engine apart to investigate and found the #1 rod gournal was the knocking one and was about the thickness of a sharpie marker So it beat it's self from 2.125 diameter to under 1/2".

Oil was super dark black and thick.
Buddy said he was afraid to change it or the filter for the 2 years it was knocking ..said he just kept adding oil as it needed it.

WOW!
I would not believed it if it was not seen with my own eyes.

okcBob · Dec 13, 2020

It’s prob prudent to diagnose the engine. Might be cheaper to repair. At least you will know if the engine is really shot or not.

Capm_Spaulding · Dec 13, 2020

Thanks for the info fellas. Yeah, this one isn’t a daily, but would like it to be somewhat reliable which is why I’m on the fence about a rebuild and may go with a swap with 250k unknown miles on the block. Having said that, once the weather gets a little better I’ll dig into it a little to see if I can find the tick simple enough. Seems to run well at least for now.

I didn’t realize the explorer and mustang 5.0s were different, that is great to know.

beardking · Dec 13, 2020

I'll just go ahead and say it, LS swap it. [emoji16]

Okie4570 · Dec 13, 2020

Capm_Spaulding said:
Thanks for the info fellas. Yeah, this one isn’t a daily, but would like it to be somewhat reliable which is why I’m on the fence about a rebuild and may go with a swap with 250k unknown miles on the block. Having said that, once the weather gets a little better I’ll dig into it a little to see if I can find the tick simple enough. Seems to run well at least for now.

I didn’t realize the explorer and mustang 5.0s were different, that is great to know.

Just the intakes and front dress, engines are the same.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bro...nk/3177395802365875/?ref=facebook_story_share

Rebuild vs Replace on a Ford 302

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