Hey guys I need your expertise! I recently bought a '71 Grabber with the I6 and want to swap a 302. We have an '82 F-150 sitting here that is being parted out and I'm wondering if the engine will work or not. Do I need a 302 from a mustang or other car instead? I'd really like to use this one since I already have it and its a good, strong running engine. I know I need the different mounts and all, I've just been hearing about the water pump reverse rotation issues and have no idea if this would be a problem on this engine or not. Also, what is a good aftermarket high performance engine parts source for the 302?
It will work just fine. All 302s and 5.0s will fit with the correct mounts. The good thing is you might be able to take the entire engine and use it ready to plug and play. No other parts needed if you have the intake, carb, etc. Water pump rotation should not be an issue if you pull the water pump and all out with the truck.
AFAIK a '82 should have V belts and be std rotation... No reverse rotation unless it a serpentine belt and then only applies if the pump is driven by the back side of the belt(which is most all except for full size Ford/Merc/Lincoln)... Concerns I can think of would be it probably has a rear sump pan, and the exhaust manifolds may not be compatible...
If those are an issue, can I swap them out with the correct sump pan and exhaust manifold? Sorry these are probably common knowledge questions but I've never done a motor swap before, usually just rebuild whatever comes in 'em.
You can get a front sump pan and oil pump pickup tube and swap them out. I would also change the pump itself while you have the pan off. There are a couple choices for exhaust, stock Maverick exhaust manifolds or a set of headers.
What engine is in the Maverick??? If it's a 170 or 200 you'll want to use the truck trans if possible... Problem there is it may be longer than Mav trans...
OK lemme backup, is the Mav automatic & do you know what transmission is in the truck??? I'm guessing it's a C4/C5...
OK assuming the truck C4 iS OK and approx same length you want to swap both motor & trans... Other issue may be the truck C4 shift lever is different but can be probably be modified or swapped for one in orig trans... Besides Maverick frame mounts and v8 trans crossmember, oil pan, pickup, pump and exhaust manifolds appear to be main hurdles... The timing cover will need to be drilled for a front mount dipstick, good idea to check timing chain as well...
