troyjmueller

I've been looking at a local 85 4x4 short bed regular cab truck for sale, local. Transmission/Transfer case is dead, and early block 22R engine has 'excessive end-play' according to owner (who is trying to sell it).

I've been considering a V-8 swap for feasibility, and have read that the ford windsor / small-block engine family is a bit lighter and smaller than the chevrolet small blocks.

I like the front distributor, personally, for access reasons, and I don't like hacking up firewalls and stuff if I am going to do a swap.

So, has anyone

a.) done a ford 302, 289, or (255) engine swap in a 'Yota, either 2wd or 4wd
b.) run into any specific 'booby-traps' or major head-scratching situations
c.) know anything about the 1980-1982 small-displacement smog v-8 found in ford LTDs and other cars in that era, and about any performance builds that would work with that engine combination.

From what I read, Bore is 3.68", stroke is 3.00", CR is 8.8:1, stock carb is 2bbl Variable Venturi, and that the later 302 performance heads have issues due to valves clearing the bore.

Intake manifolds are different, as well.

My goals would be to freshen up the engine, maybe raise the C.R. to something like 9.4:1, and park it in front of a manual transmission/transfer case. I am wanting more than stock power, and torque, but at maximum fuel economy for a ford v-8.

So, my considered recipe is get the smallest displacement ford v-8 of the era. Strip it down. optimize it to run efficiently (for fuel consumption), even if it is not making the most potential power.

I would run high CR (ie, 14:1 or better), with a restricted intake (ie, Very High Vacuum) to cut the dynamic cylinder pressure, with either single or multiple carbs (up to 8, if that would help in the economy side) if I could achieve the following goals:
1.) run 85 octane street gas (or e-85, but then I'd be using the high compression un-restricted )
2.) get something aproaching 25 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, in a light 'Yota truck.
3.) maybe have about half again as much power as stock (in other words, be a bit peppy, but not necessarily a 'screamer')

I'm sure someone here knows a bit about building fords for power (and/or economy).

Thanks!

yota864x4

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...thread-250373/

read through this. it might help you out a little bit. you could ask him questions, hes a really nice guy

stangr351

put a fuel injected 302 in it it is better than a 255 and parts are easier and cheaper to come by.
also the fuel injection will give you the control over more cylinders at one time with the right setup. I believe the factory efi is batch fire meaning it fires the injectors in batches or groups at the same time ie left bank and then right bank.
but I would look into something like a fast(brand)system for better control. as for heads you are right on thinking small runners for increased vacuum but you still want a high effiency head. I am looking at building an engine kind of the same way and I will probably use the afr 165 heads for this reason.
as for your mileage wants I think that is a little bit of wishful thinking for a 40+ yr old design. but if you think you can do it I am one to step aside and watch and see. I am ok if I am proved wrong that will give me more knowledge and you success.
good luck and if you do it do a thread as I would like to see the outcome.
goodluck
Duane