It just depends on what type of setup you are looking for. Do you want FI or carb.?

If you want EFI, go with an 87-95 5.0 H.O. or special Cobra engine from 93-95.

If carb is what you want and you like the newer firing order, go with an 85 H.O.

Stay away from the 86 H.O. because it sucks as an EFI motor when comparred to the other versions. I also suggest not going with the 84-earlier due to their regular camshaft. 85 and up used a roller.

I would also suggest a 69-70 BOSS 302 and would actually be my first choice of all, but they are too expensive. Another good 302 to look for would be the 68 302 4V, which was a one year option only across Ford's product line. It had a nice CR, approx. 10:1, but was otherwise the same as the 302 2v of the same year and the next following years(71 end). The heads of the 4v are the best thing about them; Though not capable of flowing any more air/fuel than a standard 2v head, they have a much tighter combustion chamber. This helps when considering power upgrades vrs the 2v heads. Upgrades such as intake, cam, and headers will respond much better because of the higher CR.

Take this as my personal choice: