Some question on SBF engines.

[nevermind65]

Hello,

In an effort to avoid emissions, I am looking to buy an old 302 or 289 to stick in my Cobra for titling purposes. Right now, I have a 1994 302.

Can I take the EFI intake, bracketry, trans and any other related externals and put on an old 302 or 289 without major modification? The 94 engine has a reverse water pump, will this work on the old engine? How about headers etc? Do the exhaust ports have a different configuration?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. I'm not real familar with the changes Ford made throughout the years on the 289/302 platforms.

Thanks,

Ron

[turnpike boy]

For the most part all that stuff will go right on. The reverse rotation pump will also work, but you might want to check it against the cam cover to make sure bolt pattern is the same. You will also, obviously, want to run it in the reverse direction....

Some brackets might not fit; depends on what you have. You may also find some brackets fit but put the accessories too far out/forward for the serpentine belt.

Manifolds, headers, etc. are all the same and will fit right on.

[Tongue Pirate]

Depends on the year of the block & the modified parts you are using. Timing chain covers also vary & will not always work with waterpumps so it's a good idea to match those two up. If I remember correctly the 302 crank ill not slip into the 289 block without some notching of the cylinder walls(correct me if I'm wrong).

[nevermind65]

I was just looking for the external bolt on items. I can throw in an old engine to get a title, then rebuild and install the 94 engine for the long term.

I assume there is no problem with the distributor being the 94 has a roller cam and the old 302/289 does not?

Thanks all.

[Tongue Pirate]

I would check with the cam mfg on correct distributor gear material.

[rickski]

You might want to check the timing cover. A 94 small block was fuel injected. If you are going to run a older style fuel pump I belive the mounting area on the side of the timing cover is blocked off. You will need to get a timing cover from an older engine as well. You will also definitely need to use a steel gear on whatever distributor you end up installing if you keep the roller cam. I chewed one up good by not having the two materials match.
Hope this helps.

[d_ford]

It seems to me that there is also a balance issue between the old and new engines.....

[Woodz428]

ALL the later 302 stuff will bolt right into an empty older block,NO mount issues since they are all on the heads and waterpump/timing cover,NO balance issue since that is all in the reciprocating parts,NO cylinder notching since the 302 cylinders extend lower than those on a 289 there is MORE room than in the 302. The only problem is the roller cam. The later blocks have higher lifter bores so you will need some aftermarket parts to use a roller cam, and the dist gear is softer,I would probably not use it on an old cam. If you are just wanting to get by an inspection to later install a '94 302, why go to all the trouble? You can get a running 289, pull yours, stick in the 289, get inspected, pull 289, re-install 302. No disassembly required. You can transfer all the EFI stuff, but why? If it is just for titling purposes why not just run a carb? I saw a complete 289 in the sale section of this forum, that sounded like just the engine you need for what you're wanting to do.

[Tongue Pirate]

That was kind of my thought also. Why not just buy or borrow, if you can, a decent running block. I know easier said than done but worth a try...

[nevermind65]

I want to build the car with all the wiring and accessories in place. I already have the EFI pump in the tank, and the fuel line run. To use a carbed engine would turn into a hassle. I have an extra EFI unit, so I'll just throw it on the old engine, drop it in the car, and go for the title. After I pass, I'll just yank the old engine, throw in the newer engine, which I'll have rebuilt, and everything will be set.

If the accessories and everything bolted up, which apparently they do from what everybody is saying, it will only take a couple hours to throw the old 302 in place, hook up the wiring, fuel, and hoses, and it's a go.

I think everybody is reading more into this than I plan on making it. I don't plan on switching cams, pistons, or anything like that.

[Tongue Pirate]

Sonds like it should work. Good luck!

[Woodz428]

With injection you have a return line to the tank, correct? It would be MUCH easier to drop a carbed motor in and route the excess pressure to the tank than changing all the injection over. You could run the points distributor as well, it would save an enormous amount of time. I say this because, depending on state regs, you have to have the equipment for the year engine in the car. In other words some states would flag it because injection was not part of the old engines equipment. You might check into the inspection specifics. I have sold some old equipment to people that needed original components to qualify their car in the inspection process.