Looking into engine options for my '77...the stock 302 has 209k miles and was bored .30 over around 100k miles.
Choices....it's the daily driver, not worried about hp/tq (close to stock), reliable and wanting to build myself which I have no experience but want to give it a go....need some help and ideas!
- rebuild the 302 again (don't want to bore again)
- find and different 302 and bore .30 over and rebuild
- find a newer 5.0 HO and rebuild (thinking of staying carb'd)
- find a 351, bore and rebuild
- ??

Thanks guys!

You have a few ways you could go. I would open up the current motor and make some measurements to see if it's buildable without another bore. If it isn't find a newer 5.0 or 5.8. Explorer motors are easy to find, powerful and have a great front accessory drive system. They usually have easy soccer mom mileage on them too so it would be an easy rebuild.

I vote 5.8/351 build. Your truck already looks like it should be out g Camaros, give it a little umph to back that look up.

If you want to go EFI ViperWolf's suggestion is likely the easiest way to get a great newer motor and EFI in one step.

It may be a little more than your wanting, but I'm hoping to build a 347 stroker at some point. Great power and torque, probably not so great on the gas mileage though. But uses a 302 block, so no major issues with fit.

I may be trying to be a cheap a$$ but was hoping to budget $1500 for the engine along with resealing the tranny and t-case....am I even close? Want to try to keep the motor as I know its history since 1977....

I pulled my motor, stripped it down and then used it as a core for a rebuilt 302 long block bored .030 over from a shop here in the Springs.. It cost me $1200 for the long block including a performance cam tuned for low end torque and gas mileage. It came with a new oil pump. I added a new water pump, fuel pump, fly wheel, clutch, etc. for another $300. I have a 1 year 10k warranty on the block. So far I'm very happy.

I started in mid July 2010 and finished in about a month and a half. I was very slow moving.

This a good thread for me lots of good ideas in here, thanks guys! Mine is a daily driver as well so it will need to be finished quickly but I would like;

Horse Power (with resonable MPG)
EFI? (not sold on the additional cost)
Needs to be affordable I can't spend a mountain of $, I have my eye on dads Cobra

I think I might rebuid my current 302, I think it only has sun 100k on it; I'll go with forged pistons, mallory ignition, bore out (if needed) a little larger cam, better intake and a 4 barrel carb.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Not too worried about the hp...have a LS1 swapped Porsche 944 with 300+rwhp
I'd like to maintain the 13-15 mpg
EFI too would be nice, but being carb'd has never been a prob or been unreliable
Want to do it myself (to learn) to save money

Wife's co-worker's husband owns a speed shop in Windsor...have her Christmas party tomorrow night, so I'll be picking his brain too!

Might have found a '90 Mustang GT 302 roller moter with just under 100k....complete harness and computer....current owner knows the history.

thoughts? what would you replace/upgrade on the motor? a complete reseal would be done for sure....

Royce - I would jump on that deal. That is one of the things I would change if I had it all to do over is go with the mustang engine. Ours is running great, but does not have the power I expected. The guys from Windsor are great. You should stop by and pick there brains if you have any questions. I am keeping my eyes out for some parts for when Jonah is ready for an upgrade. They were very knowledgable. I'll give you a call and swing by with Jonah soon.

Found a '89 Mustang GT 302 roller motor with just under 90k....complete harness and computer....What price range for the offer?? Was thinking $600-700

Thinking I'm going pull the trigger in the next week or so....EFI here I come!

NICE! From what I have read - doing your homework before saves a lot of frustration later. Will be way fun to watch your progress. You have a lot of experience right here in the club. I was shocked at the last Breakfast to see that many EFI Systems.

I had a line on a 5.0 EFI motor with computer and harness here in the Springs for 450. Came out of an F150 though, not a Mustang. Not sure what the mileage was on it.

being a 77 make sure you get the exhaust system so you'll have cats and make sure he didn't cut the any of the emission harness . emissions on a 77 can be a pain is the ass unless you carb it .

I'm grandfathered in...Got the classic plates ;o) But will keep all emissions equipment on and functioning

Okay, not to hijack here....

If you own a 1975 or later model vehicle, and you have current collector tags when they expire and are due for renewal you lose them and your ability to avoid emissions. Do I have that right?

Seems off somehow. I would think that once you had been grandfathered in you would be good forever with the tags. Just keep renewing them when they are due. It seems almost like Colorado is saying "50 years from now 1975 will still be the standard year which makes a vehicle a collector."

If you keep renewing before they expire you can keep them. If you let them lapse, you can not renew.

There is a lot of good EFI write-ups on CB.com. In my looking, it sounds like you are doing this the correct way that will have the best results. Going to be fun to watch this thread.

Motor (1990 Mustang GT with 100k miles) has been found and the swap will be taking place in April! Also upgrading to the BCB 23-gal EFI tank....It will be so nice to drive more than 150 miles before filling up again.

Excuse my ignorance here...

When you plan an EFI swap, it is best to get a motor from a manual car or truck, correct? Something about cars with auto transmissions having programming that conflicts with our old school transmissions?

Best bet is to get a manual. I also was frustrated trying to find a decent 5.0 + 5speed and ended up picking up a rolled truck for 500 with only 60k. Course it was a 2k3 ranger with a 4.0L sohc and the efi system is returnless so my swap will be a bit more complicated but hey someone's gotta do it to prove all the naysayers wrong...or right we'll see soon enough.