The Ford 302 Engine: Everything You Need To Know

In this video, Landan goes over everything you need to know about the small block Ford 302 engine for 1979-1995 Mustangs.
Ford first referred to the 302 cubic-inch engine as a “5.0-liter” V-8, which was a metric unit of measurement rather than the standard notation used in the United States. The Mustang 302 was a liquid-cooled, overhead-valve, 90-degree V-8 engine that was produced from 1979 to 1995.
Aftermarket components continue to serve the small block 302 to this day. In a world of high-tech, state-of-the-art engine technology, it's hard to beat some old-school hot-rodding when it comes to cylinder heads, camshafts, valvetrain components, and engine blocks.
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Shop 1979-95 Mustang Parts: latemodelres.to/MustangParts30...
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LMR Ford 302 Engine Article: lmr.com/products/ford-302-eng...
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0:00 | Intro
0:37 | History Of The Pushrod Small Block
1:39 | Early Days Of The Pushrod in The Fox Body
2:54 | Return Of The 302 In 1982 Mustangs
4:00 | 1983-1985 Mustang 302 Changes
5:33 | Changes In 1986 To 5.0 SEFI
6:16 | 1987-1992 Mustang 302 Changes
7:09 | 1993 Mustang 302 Changes
7:38 | 1994-95 Mustang 302 Specs
7:57 | 1996 Ford 4.6 Engine
8:25 | The Small Block 302 Today
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#LMR #fordsmallblock #ford302
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[@latemodelrestoration]

When it comes to Fox Bodies, what would you rather have? The tried and true 302 or the modern Coyote?

[@OuzoLouGarage]

Old 302 or 351

[@forcedair92gt94]

Yes. haha

[@racinjayson8817]

I just wish the 302 would hold more power without cracking. 4 that reason I guess I would rather have the coyote

[@89Interceptor]

@@racinjayson8817 if youre gonna swap the engine anyway you could always just get a boss block or a dart block that will handle more power (than a stock 302) for less money than a coyote

[@oscarcuevassn95saleemzr12]

302 always ♥ 🏁🏁🏁😎

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Say what you will but those 5.0 motors from 80s and 90s had the best v8 sound ever. I dunno why they sound so good but they certainly sound fantastic. The flowmasters 40 behind a 5.0 is legendary

[@falcon6995]

Roller cams made the difference

[@metalfoxssmallenginerepair3181]

Exactly what I got on my 89 f150. It does sound great for what it is

[@adelaseeri768]

What about the 92-97 LT1? AMAZING V8 sound.

[@TerryByrdJr]

@@adelaseeri768 not better than the old 5.0 but they do sound good

[@angelob2867]

Exactly what I'm running on my 85 Thunderbird 🤯

[@TekMan05]

The 5.0 while not fast by any means compared to today's engine is a great engine. I have a cammed out 5.0 in my Explorer and it's a joy to drive each and every day.

[@GearheadRob319]

The 302 Ford was a great little motor. It would run, and often time's pull a 350 Chevy motor all day long. Long live the 5.0!

[@kevinwilson9589]

My first car was a '62 Fairlane with the 221, I've owned the 260, a few 289's and a couple of 302's. My last car, a 2000 Explorer, with the 302, probably the one I'll die with, has 300,000 miles and still going strong. All have been great engines!

[@joshuahuffine3568]

Finally!! Somebody else confirms the 5.0 in the explorer until 2001! I've argued with people over that for years. Lol

[@P71ScrewHead]

those who know, know..

[@shauncole4392]

I thought that was common knowledge. I have one. I can see where people get the idea that it wouldnt fit, because it really shouldnt (there is absolutely no room at all, less room than the foxbody), but the 5.0 in the explorer was pretty common, id say as common as the v6

[@refugiorod]

I thought they went all the way up to 96.

[@jackb9199]

@@shauncole4392 I’m thinking of carb swapping one of these motors and putting it in my ranger 2wd lol

[@jackb9199]

@@shauncole4392 also the motor mounts should line up.

[@CJColvin]

I have a 1996 Ford F150 with a 5.0L (302) Windsor V8 with 209,000 miles and still going strong. The only things I replaced on my truck was the starter, the fuel pump, and the power steering megunisum but other than that mostly was just simple maintenance, took out the transmission fluid just to get rid of the shuttering it was making and it hasn't had a problem ever since.

[@RPJs-Cuisine]

Landon just gave the single handedly best breakdown of our prized cars/engines! Thanks brother!

[@Relic67]

Awesome video thank you. I've owned my 5.0 for 29 years and I just learned a bunch of new stuff. Very interesting that it is a bored and stroked 289.

[@daledavies2334]

Not bored, just stroked. Both 4.00" bore and the piston compression height the same at 1.6". Half the stroke increase of 0.130" is 0.065". Ford made the 302 connecting rods 0.065" shorter at 5.090" whereas the 221, 260 and 289 all had 5.155" con rods. The Boss 302 had con rods the same length as the 289 but considerably stouter construction. Boss piston compression height was 1.530" to compensate.

[@jackflash6377]

My first small block Ford was the 1977 Mustang Cobra II. I think the year was 1979. White with red stripes and red interior. Added a cam, intake, carb and headers. I can't remember how many Dusters, Cudas, Novas and Chevelles I beat with that little ripper. Taught my wife to drive a stick in it, that was hilarious. She would floor it and drop the clutch.. like a funny car launch :) Finally traded it for a new, 1980 Ford Fiesta S model.

[@johnbehneman1546]

GREAT VIDEO & EDUCATION. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!! I LEARNED SO MUCH!!!!

[@RA-lk1vz]

What a great video - you have become a great speaker!

[@cobrin6437]

Extra points for even knowing the 302 hit Australian shores for the Falcon. Better breathing really woke them up, or a stroker kit to 347ci did wonders for a docile V8 back in the day. Trickflow Twisted Wedge Heads were a wicked combo.

[@JB-zn1kx]

Got a 88 notch with 25,647 miles on it... love that car... my forever car

[@gen-x-zeke8446]

My brother had an '81 Lincoln TC, and although rated at 150hp, it did have 275tq and was a heck of a surprise passing power. Not anything massive, but it cooked a Chev 305 to death. Fact. My '88 Camaro.

[@donreinke5863]

Ford absolutely did not install the best and strongest 302s in Fox body cars. No mention of the Boss 302 4 bolt main block which is essential if any power adders are used as there were many instances of the stock 2 bolt block splitting right down the center at high horsepower levels.

[@PorkyHontas]

My mom and dad bought a new red 85' Mustang GT with the 5 speed Borg-Warner transmission with the 4v Holley carb -- sweet car. It got totaled two years later in a head-on collision while my mom was commuting to USF in Tampa. They ended up getting a white 87' GT with the same 5 speed, of course, along with the SEFI. They got an 89' a couple years later after the 87' was stolen and taken on a joy ride. I just got rid of the 89' last year. After a couple other Mustangs (2003 Cobra R and a 2012 GT) they finally bought a 2013 Shelby GT 500 new. What an amazing animal!

[@richsmith9063]

Great video. Thanks.

[@KevinMiller-lh9ur]

The 1976 Mustang II 302 was also called 4.9 liters.

[@marywalling160]

Great job! Very interesting.👍

[@latemodelrestoration]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@boogiemorgan]

I have an original 87 GT 5.0 and I dearly love this car.😊

[@neohippe1]

My ultra rare 96 Chariot High Top, is only rare because of its 302HO. Most people preferred a larger motor with their larger clubwagon. I lucked out when finding a 1996 Ford Chariot, with a factory 5.0 HO. Might be one of the rarest production Ford's made in the last 50 years, for non-commercial use.

[@deanstevenson6527]

Like video. Well done. A few minor mistakes. The 255 was a three year engine. 80, 81& 82. A small number of 55 dollar rebate auto Ford Mustang GTs and Mercury Capri RS cars were sold. When you ticked the auto option, you lost the extra snorkle, 0.8 liters, 35 horsepower, and 2.1 sonds over the quarter mile and 20 mph off the top speed and gained no extra fuel economy. Mistake two is that the CFi 5.0 HO Fuel Injection Always used an alloy intake. The origon of the mistake was from Nother website which I too copied...and was wrong. All minor matters. Mistake three. The Aussies imported well over 65000 5 liter engines from 1991 to 2002. It was a very popular option. Love your work LMR!

[@sclass4867]

I am very excited to put this 302 engine in my 67 fastback

[@therealstang7443]

Great video!

[@latemodelrestoration]

We are glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@jamieanthony9763]

Fast forward to 2021, these fantastic small blocks are making 500hp. GT'S are dynoing at 435 to the tires.

[@arkhsm]

My Aussie 2001 Falcon XR8 has one of those last production 302 engines. And it's far and away the most powerful 302 from Ford ... 295hp/320lb-ft torque. Featured : Port matched GT40p heads, 9.4 comp., Yella Terra roller rockers, 1.94 in/ 1.54 ex valves, full-length headers, full duel exhaust system, i70mm throttle body, bigger fuel pressure regulator, hot run tested, hand-built by one of 20 engine builders @ a rate of 20 per day, "Built with Pride by J Neeves" plaque on my rocker cover. All this was done at the satellite Tickford facility in Melbourne, Australia. Not cheap to do, for sure. Mines still running strong at 187,000 mlies !!

[@projectbalrog2140]

I've got 2001 au with 287000ks and I've bolted a raptor supercharger to the side of it

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

Ford Australia got this 5.0 windsor engines and did some work to them to make them the most powerful 5.0 windsors produced in the world. My 2002 ford falcon sport xr8 sports model puts out 300hp at the flywheel from factory. They were very reliable engines and sound great.

[@daledavies2334]

Best thing Ford did for the 302 was to install the 351 cam for the HO 302. That woke the 302 up.

[@et76039]

The 1960 full sized Ford shown would have been offered with a Y-block. The first production vehicle with a 221 would have been a 1962 Fairlane, which was the first year for the intermediate-sized car of that name.

[@redbaron77]

I love my 82 f150 with a 302. Very little modifications and it's probably the fastest vehicle I've been in. 😂😂 and it gets pretty good fuel mileage

[@deanstevenson6527]

@ John Doe. Ford introduced the dual mass balancer and flexplate/flywheel system when the 255 came out in June 1979 for the 1980 model year. The 1980 model year 5.0s all got the 34 underbalance from harmonic balancer pulley, and the 50 ounce flywheel or flexplate. So that is simple. There was a High Out put 5.0 engine firing order change to 5.8 liter Windsor and Cleveland sequence, but the standard performance 5.0s kept the old K code/ Boss 302 firing order right up till 1985, then went to the Windsor/Cleveland type on everything. Fords empty box supply system has definition, but you have to ask Numbers Dummy and Fox Chassis on FTE and FEP respectively to get the right info. Key thing is from 1966 to 2001, very little on a 289 block of the last 5.0 block changed. The minutae and details, just ask at Ford Truck forum or Four Eyed Pride. Or any other forum like Coral Net or Yellow Bullet or VMA. The USA, Canadian, Mexican plants cranked these babies out like cast iron sausgaes....all info exists. Des Hamills Aussie/Kiwi/British book on small block V8s answers all these questions with energy and enthusiasm. Favorite tidbit. The 1979 feedback carb EEC I's in Granadas and Versailes, had a unique 12 month only front crank position sensor crank just for Variable Venturi VV 7200 2bbls, but just prior to release, Ford scraped the rear crank position sensor. The 1978 and 1979 California 5.0 was different to the 79 Granny and Versailes engine. Thatz Ford 4 Ya.....

[@jedk9523]

use to have a 84 Ltd lx 5.0 HO, I loved that car. the diff blew up when I was young and I didn't know how to fix it back then, wish I kept it. :/

[@tonym3659]

My favorite sounding V8 engine ever! (90 Foxbody)

[@mussegt]

I had few years ago Laser red 1994 Mustang GT 5.0, SN-95. Manual of course. Maybe it was brought from Canada to Europe Finland, because all labels was in English and France and kilometer speed- / odometer. Nice piece of history I see.

[@kevinhagberg1648]

I love my 95' 5.0L Cobra!

[@timothywatson8284]

This little monster hurts feelings. Seen big motors get embarrassed by the mighty 302.

[@secondchanceretro5739]

My 302 is in a 1991 Crown Vic!

[@thomaslong6416]

this did a great job, did he even have notes?

[@u121921]

I have a 96 F150 with the iron version of the GT40 heads that i understand to be rated at 240 horsepower and more torque also used for the explorer . FRPP used to have this as a crate that advertised 295 net . Compared to the 89 LSC i once had the truck seems much torqueier but the EOD doesnt let it wind out like the FIOD did . LSC was 3.27 with 60 series and traction lok while truck is 3.55 open with 75 series tires and single exhaust

[@grantgraef1088]

I'm curious to learn about the 5.0l Windsor that was shipped to Australia I have one in my xr8 falcon that has a stage 2 cam and has been stroked

[@WesternReloader]

The 302 engine block architecture of 221 cu in realistically supports more cu in growth than any pushrod factory V8 than every other brand with its 154 cu in expansion from 221 to 347

[@cellphonelightsaber]

You all know the Gulf GT40 that won LeMans in 1968-69, right? That was a 302W. It just doesn't get much cooler than that.

[@blackmagicfan3431]

The 4.2 / 255 was available three years. I have an 82 GT with 4.2 V8 and C5 automtic trans

[@rambodeen6009]

Foxbody for life

[@raymondbowers5715]

I have a 1975 Ford Maverick that had a 250 I6 until I blew a rod. I found a 302 from a salvaged 1992 pickup, and was curious about the differences between the truck and car 302. Also, would it be worth it to convert the EFI to a carburetor?

[@timobrien9123]

I've had many cars with 302's and a 289w. All Australian cars (owned while living in New Zealand). I still have a 1992 Fairmont Ghia wagon that is on of only built with a 302. I wish I'd kept my 2001 AU Fairmont Ghia V8. In Europe now and miss my big old V8's so thinking of bringing an AU Ghia V8 over here. too bad the steering wheel will be on the wrong side :D

[@liambanks2967]

Ford aus used it up until 2003 and with coil packs in the last few years, in the au falcon

[@Mrfall5038]

Can you explain the difference of the E7TE and E5TE heads?

[@blackenigma1054]

HELL YEAH🔥🔥🔥👍🏿

[@Rangerscott69]

I wish there was more talk about the f150's 302. Seems like everything I look up, its all about the mustang versions.

[@IAMIASIAM]

currently got a late model 84 crown Vic ltd, 5.0, y pipe into a side exit and Lemmie tell ya 😮

[@donnieprinnell4857]

The first year for 289 was late 63 and the first hipo 289 in the fairlane.

[@shaggydogg630]

Those 289’s could rev fast.

[@refugiorod]

Weren't explorer made with the 5.0 up till 96 with the gt40 and gt40p heads.

[@jacobhaussmann90]

There's a Australian version called the 220kw Windsor came in the au falcon xr8

[@locker1325]

Great concice synopsis of the 79 and up 302. What a great engine. Am I correct in saying that the 302s offered in explorers were aluminum?

[@latemodelrestoration]

Thanks for the feedback. Ford never made a production aluminum 302 block. -Landan

[@pineappleboi27]

Is this the same 5.0 that's in the similar year f150 it did I miss that in the video

[@ysslmn5140]

Any one know how to connect the vaccume lines on 302 ?

[@josephjosephbaska6655]

Is there a difference between the Ford 302 and the Mercury 302

[@nathanieljones7981]

the 255 was a 3 year run 1980, 1981, 1982. all auto v8s in 1982 were the 255. I had a stock 82 GT with the 255, please look up engine code and tags.

[@CoreyWhite-dr1xh]

Hey first thanks for all you do, second can you tell me what rear end gears to go with in my 74 Ford f 100 302 engine for the best everything

[@latemodelrestoration]

Thanks for the generous feedback. Like I mentioned in my other comment, '74 F-100s aren't our specialty. I'd reach out to people that have experience with those trucks. Thanks. -Landan

[@matthewgoins87]

Need more first gen lightning mods

[@PANTYEATR1]

isn't Ford Racing or Ford Performance still producing the 302 and 351w?

[@kareemgarage97]

how much the fuel consumption? per 1 litre, how many km per 1 litre for this 302 engine?

[@scottt1885]

CFI was introduced in 85 Lincolns

[@sonnym9954]

Long story short, lost my 260 on my 1964 Ranchero. I am looking to replace it with a 302. At this point I know I'll have to replace the transmission as well. I'm not looking to race this car just restore and drive around. Would love to hear people's opinions as I am not sure which I should try to get.

[@stephenclemons4829]

What head got the number gt 21

[@Tigerfire75]

So what is the difference between the 302 in a mustang and a town car

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Did they all have 4 inch bore and 3 inch stroke ?? I know today's 5.0 has smaller bore with longer stroke than the old 302

[@PhunkBustA]

8:18 ive got one of em 😄

[@coreylong2353]

falcons surprisingly had them until technically 2003 which is even later then America. In 1998 they had 175kw so about 235-40hp, then in the xr model falcons that was 185kw or 248hp. Then in 2001 that was updated to 200kw or about 268hp and then 220kw or how ever much hp that was in 2002 Could also get in limited edition falcons such as the TE50 TS50 and Pursuits utility the 302s hand built by Tickford the racing team which were bored and stroked to 346 cui or 5.6Ls and produced 250kw or about well we’ll over 300hp How ever the 175kw 302 was an option in basically all falcons in the 90s until 2003 but with the VCT (Variable cam timing) in-line 6 producing similar power figures and fuel economy for less money it was probably the better option unless you got an Xr8 that had the 185/200/220kw 302s

[@CoreyWhite-dr1xh]

What is the best carburator to upgrade to for a 74 Ford truck 302 engine that comes with a 2 barrel,

[@latemodelrestoration]

That's not our specialty. It wouldn't be fair to you for us to provide an answer as we don't have the facts to back it up. I would poke around on the Internet or Facebook groups and see what other folks are running. Thanks for understanding. -Landan

[@renaerawlins6659]

I have a question for you can I change a 351 windsor cam to a 302 HO

[@latemodelrestoration]

Hey Renae, yes, you can change the 351 Windsor cam to a 302 HO. A 351W and a 302 HO have the same firing order. As long as they are both roller cams, they are interchangeable.

[@ronniedaniel1584]

Well I love my 1971 ford truck 302 3 on tree

[@scottmarchand2646]

im sorry I wasn't able to catch what it was you said about California's version of the 79 it came with a variable what ?

[@latemodelrestoration]

"and California bound cars received a variable interior"

[@scottmarchand2646]

@@latemodelrestoration oh haha got yeah thank you :)

[@luisolivares5315]

The block of 1979-93 is the same as 94-95 right? I’m trying to rebuild my 302 from an explorer 1998 with gt40p heads but idk what year to go with for the correct parts, I want to buy all the parts off LMR RESTO, please let me know

[@latemodelrestoration]

Luis - Please reach out via our Contact Us page so we can better assist you. Thanks! -Landan lmr.com/contact

[@mikekozi-lester3887]

thumbs 👍

[@grandebigy]

👍🏻doing more with less that's an underdog

[@nuclearvuse6183]

Got an 89 f150

[@justinwyatt1452]

I have a 87 thunderbird 5.0 car

[@bowez9]

So if the Cobra was under rated the the Thunderbird SC would have to be even more under rated.

[@minibikemadman]

Whats up with the mexican blocks?

[@BK-wy4uj]

👍👍

[@cartersmith9433]

Just bought a 95 2wd f150 with the 302 and 250000 miles and it will smoke the back tires off

[@charlesprice5.0]

Please help!!!! What’s the best thing to do to my 94 5.0 with $2000 dollars??

[@algorithmscollide8489]

Cam, new exhaust system, and upgrade carburetor.

[@jesse75]

Small block is originally Chevy nomenclature adopted by other engines. Young bucks don't know this. I didn't watch the rest of the video. I'm sure I'd find something faulty with the information.

[@geerstyresoil3136]

When did Seth Green get into Ford 302s?😂

[@bowez9]

Ford did not make a Small Block, it's a Windsor. Unless you want to talk about the 302 Cleveland.

[@magdump7380]

Careful, the internet know-it-all’s might jump in and tell you that’s BS. They’ll claim only the 351 is a Windsor and everything else is a SBF.

[@bowez9]

@@magdump7380 Windsor, 385, Y-block, FE, Essex,Cologne, Duratec... but no SBF or BBF.

[@TBO207]

cfi is not cfi… its just single point injection

[@markmccarty9793]

Rule number one! If a 351w will fit, sell that little turd and find a 351w ! Heads, cam. Intake and 750 vacuum secondary carb if ur streeting it! What a 351w will do at 6000rpm, the 302 will have to turn 6800rpm! Drove them both, raced them both! I will admit, you can stroke the little weaser to 347! We call the hand grenades! If you cam find one, get a 95 roller 351w, but it doesn't matter, just find a 351, cam,intake,carb!😂😂😂

[@seanmanness1351]

What is a 302? Easy. Don't have a heart attack, I'm a die hard ford guy and have been for many many years but let's call a spade a spade here. A 302 is a tiny and in most cases underpowered slug. It's a cheap prime mover for many vehicles. Tear one down and you will find 8 cracked piston skirts 8 times out of ten. No matter, those pistons only made about 8.5:1 compression anyhow. Whatever you are building, 460 swap it. Lol

[@HoldenBoyz]

Needs that young LS swap

[@davidtanner1924]

Trucks too lol

[@802legend2]

LT-1’s are better 🇺🇸

[@tankeater]

Called "late model" yet, you don't even do ANY cars that don't have to be smogged in California? Hahahaha my 3 classics got AT LEAST a decade on your newest model...

[@jameshankssr466]

What is a 302 ford its a good boat Anchor thats about it

[@raymondvesty2868]

351 ks on my australian el falcon..still goin strong

[@MasterKeyMagic]

Inferior to the LS in every metric

[@13bfc]

Those engines weren't any good until 1987. All those regulations had them choked up to meet certain requirements. American V8s were really downplayed in the late 70s/early 80s.

[@luciankristov6436]

The ole reliable grandpa motor . Wont win any races but it'll go forever. These relic turds make no power . This engine ultimately lead to the LS swap sadly.

[@CrazyGuyBlahBlah]

You talk entirely too damned fast.