tanman90's build thread
11-09-2014, 08:38 PM
#1
I
Thread Starter
Well guys I just pulled the engine from my truck and thought it was about time to make my own "build" thread. I'll start by telling you a little about my truck. Its a 1990 f150 xlt lariat 4x2 single cab 8 foot bed 302 aod. No rust (other than surface) and only minor dings and scratches. Perfect interior except for some tears in the seat and a missing drivers side door panel. A few years back my parents had a coworker who owned my truck. He couldn't get it running and got fed up with it so he sold it to them for $250. They had it towed home and my uncle and dad looked it over. A new fuel filter and a few gallons of gas later and it purred like a kitten! The guy was pretty mad about it lol. Then when I turned 16 I got it for my birthday. I got a job and started fixing it up. Gave it a full tune up and changed all the fluids. Ditched the wagon spokes for a set of aluminum wheels from a '93 f150. Fixed the power windows and put in a new headliner. Here's a few pics:
I did all the typical stuff that teenagers do. Burnouts, donuts, raced my friends, etc. I loved the truck but I appreciate it so much more now that I've put a bunch of money into it and put so much work into it. It has taken me a while to save up the money to get the engine being a senior in high school with a part time job. All the time I've spent looking at it just sit in the driveway has made me appreciate it that much more.
It ran and drove great up until it wouldn't start. That's a long story, finally found out the timing chain was one tooth off. But I decided to get a reman engine anyways. The old one leaked oil and coolant and had a ton of blow by. It also developed a knock at startup and a tick right there at the end. I figured while I was at it why not upgrade to a 94-96 roller 302 with a better cam. From help of others on the forum I learned that all I needed for this to be plug and play was a dizzy with a steel gear (for the roller camshaft) and the distributor mounted ICM (for my '90 engine harness). Also the firing order is different but that is a simple spark plug wire re-rout. Also since my truck is bank injected it will work fine with the different firing order. So I decided to do this swap because of its many benefits over the original style engine.
The period of time I had while saving up money gave me the opportunity to clean up and paint all the parts that were being transferred to the new engine. I took my intakes and a few misc parts to the local machine shop to get hot tanked. I painted the valve covers, oil pan, pullies, and throttle body old ford blue. I kept all the other aluminum parts natural and I think itll give the engine bay a great look. Here's a pic of the engine being removed, I'll post some more up when I drop the new engine in hopefully this week sometime and eventually get it all put together.
I did all the typical stuff that teenagers do. Burnouts, donuts, raced my friends, etc. I loved the truck but I appreciate it so much more now that I've put a bunch of money into it and put so much work into it. It has taken me a while to save up the money to get the engine being a senior in high school with a part time job. All the time I've spent looking at it just sit in the driveway has made me appreciate it that much more.
It ran and drove great up until it wouldn't start. That's a long story, finally found out the timing chain was one tooth off. But I decided to get a reman engine anyways. The old one leaked oil and coolant and had a ton of blow by. It also developed a knock at startup and a tick right there at the end. I figured while I was at it why not upgrade to a 94-96 roller 302 with a better cam. From help of others on the forum I learned that all I needed for this to be plug and play was a dizzy with a steel gear (for the roller camshaft) and the distributor mounted ICM (for my '90 engine harness). Also the firing order is different but that is a simple spark plug wire re-rout. Also since my truck is bank injected it will work fine with the different firing order. So I decided to do this swap because of its many benefits over the original style engine.
The period of time I had while saving up money gave me the opportunity to clean up and paint all the parts that were being transferred to the new engine. I took my intakes and a few misc parts to the local machine shop to get hot tanked. I painted the valve covers, oil pan, pullies, and throttle body old ford blue. I kept all the other aluminum parts natural and I think itll give the engine bay a great look. Here's a pic of the engine being removed, I'll post some more up when I drop the new engine in hopefully this week sometime and eventually get it all put together.
Last edited by tanman90; 11-09-2014 at 08:46 PM.
11-09-2014, 08:45 PM
#2
I
Thread Starter
I'm ordering the new engine tomorrow and it should be here in a few days. I'll post installation progress pics as I go, and hopefully share a video link with you of the first start.
11-09-2014, 10:38 PM
#3
Senior Member
Sub'd I need a new engine for about the same reasons you do, don't think I'll be upgrading it as you are but I'm interested to know how the reman engine does.
11-10-2014, 04:07 PM
#4
Maybe to many trucks?
I have an 88 F150 4x4 302 that I am rebuilding the 302 (decided against a crate) so I am extremely interested in your build. That and I am a 18 year old also whom has watched his truck sit for so long I know how it feels. LOL
The only thing you are gaining going roller cam is just ease of roller cam but their is no performance gains.
What plans do you have and mods have you done to the truck? I see a dual exhaust on it so kinda curious.
I really like the color scheme on the truck it is one of my favorites on these year trucks.
Trav
The only thing you are gaining going roller cam is just ease of roller cam but their is no performance gains.
What plans do you have and mods have you done to the truck? I see a dual exhaust on it so kinda curious.
I really like the color scheme on the truck it is one of my favorites on these year trucks.
Trav
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tanman90 (11-10-2014)
11-10-2014, 04:47 PM
#5
I
Thread Starter
Snaggletooth- I'll be sure to let you know how the engine works out for me. It'll be nice to not have oil leaks anymore!
Trav- ford put a better camshaft in the 302 starting in '94. I believe it is the same camshaft used in the explorers. Not a huge increase, but much better than my stock cam was.
As for exhaust it currently has hedman full length headers and 3 inch true duals with super 10 knockoffs and 4" tips. The only mods are msd cap and coil with 9mm wires but other than that it was all stock. My future plans for mods are 1.7 roller rockers and 4.10 gears in the rear. I think with the roller 5.0 it should pull pretty good.
I ordered the engine this morning and it should be here Thursday. I asked for the engine for a 95 f150. The total came out the be just a bit over $2000. They didn't have an issue exchanging my '90 302 as a core. I'll keep this thread updated with anything I do to the truck.
Trav- ford put a better camshaft in the 302 starting in '94. I believe it is the same camshaft used in the explorers. Not a huge increase, but much better than my stock cam was.
As for exhaust it currently has hedman full length headers and 3 inch true duals with super 10 knockoffs and 4" tips. The only mods are msd cap and coil with 9mm wires but other than that it was all stock. My future plans for mods are 1.7 roller rockers and 4.10 gears in the rear. I think with the roller 5.0 it should pull pretty good.
I ordered the engine this morning and it should be here Thursday. I asked for the engine for a 95 f150. The total came out the be just a bit over $2000. They didn't have an issue exchanging my '90 302 as a core. I'll keep this thread updated with anything I do to the truck.
11-10-2014, 04:54 PM
#7
Senior Member
love the truck - will be following your proress 
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tanman90 (11-10-2014)
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11-10-2014, 11:41 PM
#8
I
Thread Starter
It should come with them...its showing it with them installed in the pictures.
Edit: I hope it does. I haven't actually paid for the engine yet but it has been ordered. I'll check to see if they're included when it arrives.
Edit: I hope it does. I haven't actually paid for the engine yet but it has been ordered. I'll check to see if they're included when it arrives.
11-13-2014, 06:36 PM
#9
I
Thread Starter
Update. They called and said the engine was ready to pick up today so I went to get it. Apparently there was some confusion when they ordered it, because they ordered me a lightning 351! So I ordered the correct engine and it will be there Saturday. It made my day because it was almost $400 more than the 302.
