Hello from Denver Colorado

Hello I have a 76 Ford Maverick base model 302 with Factory air. All original unmolested and I have done all the lower suspension on it. I have 90 lb of compression in all cylinders and just wondering if I should bother investing in a 4 barrel intake manifold and carburetor? Just seems like it should have more power when I step on it because it only has 116,000 original miles

 

Welcome to the forum from northeast Illinois! I don't think nothing worthwhile would be gained, unless doing some other upgrades along w/ carb/intake install. My personal thought; 90lb compression seems a little low for much in the realm of performance asperations.

 

I agree with Everett...90 Lb. is a little low....

 

Yep, 90psi is low. At least it's consistant across all cylinders.
I would absolutely put a 4-barrel carb and more free-flowing exhaust on it. I would also run at least 14 degrees of initial spark advance. It will help at that altitude (ask me how I know)...

 

when we speak of 4-barrel carb for stock 302 we are talking about 500/600 CFM.

 

An adjustable timing chain might help some with the compression some as the stockers had retarded cam timing. But that's probably a D4 block ('74-'77) that had the higher deck height to lower compression.

 

Not to be a downer but, 116k on a 1975 is way different than the same mileage on a newer car. It could still be a good runner as long as it was treated nice along the way but it will still be less than it was on day one.

 

Yep, thanks to carburetors fuel washing the cylinders a causing carbon buildup elsewhere most engines didn't last near that long.

 

My original 302 ran beautifully at 116,000 miles, and wasn't replaced until 185,000.
The 90 psi of compression is a concern of course, but it should be able to run okay until the owner is ready to rebuild the engine...

 

)

 

So I'm just curious if you rebuilt your motor yourself or if you had someone do it? I live north of Denver about 25 miles and I am considering having someone rebuild it.

 

do a 5.0 roller motor swap, more bang for the buck...JMO

 

My original 302 is sitting in my garage on a engine cradle. I had a '68 302 rebuilt with a few performance upgrades by a friend of mine 14 years ago (I've put less than 5,000 miles on it during those 14 years)...