head castings did NOT change after 87 regardless of what year the casting on the head says. the only iron head development after 1987 was the gt40/p heads
JS- Make sure that you have your flywheel/flexplate sizing correct. You didn't mention transmissions.....but there can be issues there. Different balancing geometry on newer 5.0 than the old 302's. Still need to make it by your home sometime. There is a show this weekend in Hillsborough....but the forecast calls for 100!!!!!!!!! Not sure I will make that one. Seth
Hey Seth, Yep, got the balance issues in mind. The 302 HO came with 50 oz balancer and flexplate. Think I have to buy an aftermarket 50 oz flexplate to fit in the small bell on my C4. Balancer takes 4-bolt pulley, same as my old one, so don't think I have any pulley issues. I'm assuming the depth of the balancers is the same but will check it. Will hang onto the big 50 oz flexplate as the first step to an AOD. Plan to get a starter set up and check the compression. Also temporarily install an intake manifold and pressure test the head gaskets/engine cooling for leaks. That motor had a head gasket problem in its recent past. Top end of the push rods were dry and a little rusty, so I'll drive the oil pump to test oil flow to the valve train. The top end of the motor was quite dirty so I'll pull the oil pan and clean it up inside as much as possible. If everything looks good, I'll put the 302 HO in the car. If it has problems, I'll install the original 302, get the car on the road, and then work on the HO. Comments or advice, anyone? Come by anytime, Seth. Jim
157 tooth 50 oz flexplate. EBAY has them always for dirt cheap. as for the balancer, the actual width IS different between the fox and vintage engines. The vintage engines have a 3" width on the balancer...and the later years have a little more. I'm not sure what the crossover year is. If you find yourself stuck...professional products has a kick ass b alancer for about $60. It has the 3" width of the early style engines, but a 50 oz balance. It's got 3 sets of timing marks for virtually any setup, and a spacer is sold in case you want to use that balancer with the later pulley setup of the fox's
Questions Well, I pulled the heads, front cover and pan off the '88 Mustang 302 HO. Have some questionsI hope you guys can answer. Does the factory put a double roller timing chain in an '88 E7TE block? There's a worn out one in this engine. Just wondering if its original. Do these look like original pistons? I don't know what the factory put in there but I was kind of expecting recesses for the valves. I got readings in the 140s when I checked the compression. Seems high for stock pistons, doesn't it? Haven't found any indications the heads were milled. One cylinder wall is rusted. Seller said there was a leaking head gastet which was repaired shortly before the car was wrecked. Don't think this rust could be from the earlier leak. Seems like it would get worn off pretty quickly when it was driven. So, I'm thinking it occured after the heads were redone. Agree? I can feel a small ridge part way around each cylinder. I'd think a ridge reamer would handle that OK. But, will a hone take that rust off or is a rebore required? (I don't have any 4" inside mikes to check the cylinders.) If a rebore is required, I'm thinking it's going to cost me almost as much to rebuild this one as the price of a rebuilt short block. Not sure what I'll do. Given all the grit, rust and wear I'm finding in this engine, I doubt I'll be happy with it as is. Suggestions,opinions and facts are all welcome.
pistons look 86 ish and if your heads are "heart shaped" and not factory....trash em. think they are the e6se? maybe... they are crap either way, use e7s or some junk yard gt40s and save your self the headache of no power, id say have it mic'd and if within boreing range. id rebuild er. i think youd have more pride in doing it yourself. either way its prolly to far gone as she sits
Yep, heads are E6SEs. But I already picked up some E7s cheap before I got the HO. Will port the E7s and use them. Thanks for opinion on the block as is. I don't think I'd be happy with it but if I got a lot of "it's OK" votes I might try going without the rebore. If I have to replace the pistons, I'll have to think about a stroker kit. :bananaman Wonder if someone replaced the pistons to boost compression??
Thanks, Brad. :Handshake Looks like only the heads were changed. Feel like I'm getting a handle on what I have. Probably should disassemble it and get the block hot tanked and checked out and go from there.
either thats an 86 w stock pistons or possibly a forged piston year fox 5.0. thought that was only 90-93 though. you still need to have the bores measured if you have a ridge and most likely need a rebuild. then you can stuff it was some cheapo goodies! most h.os had valve reliefs like dis..... http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=53831 and 86 like dis..
Yep, the '86 pistons look just like mine. But, its for sure an E7TE block. I'm inclined to believe its an '88 engine like the seller claimed. Heads are E6SE but I believe they were preplaced for the blown head gasket repair. I'm thinking they used the older crappy heads.
the pistons are 86. 87-92 had forged 4 valve releif pistons. 93 went to hyperutitic (sp) pistons. as stated throught the e6's in the junk pile. i trashed a 86 engine with a b303 cam. yeah i was young and dumb lol. the other thing that has HO engine's you can look for are the late model big body t-bird ( same body as the super coupe ). performance wise i'd go roller all day. built an 84 gt mustang with p heads b303. intake carb and headers wit5h a 5 speed. after it wqas done on the dyno it put out 284 hp and 303 tq. to the wheels. something for you guys to think about if it hasn't been stated all ready 94 and newer trucks with windsors are roller enigne's as for the block just do as stated above. 1 thing to keep in mind...ford discontinued the pushrod engine and no longer casting any of them.
