High Mileage 302...
04-30-2018, 04:06 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
High Mileage 302...
Hi Guys,
So, in anyone's opinion, do you think it is legit that my truck could have 297,000 miles on the engine and still run as well as it does?
Obviously I bought it used and have no idea what was done to it before I got it but it appears to be the original engine.
Everyone else's vehicles of the same year model seem to have way lower mileage than mine.
Maybe someone never reset the odometer after a rebuild? It seems to be running very well.
I'm interested in some upgrades but not sure where to start. If it truly does have that many miles, it might be worthwhile to overhaul the engine. Right now the truck is my daily driver so I would have to start with things I can accomplish in a weekend or so.
Hey, any input would be appreciated. Thanks for what you do...
- Tango51
04-30-2018, 06:06 PM
#2
Martin
Read a Hot Rod Mag article where they took a junk yard 302 with a 100k and used the short block for a 400 hp build. They said if the donor had been maintained in most cases there would be under a couple thousandths wear on the cynlinders. This was fuel injected vehicles only as they ran so clean.
So I'd say it's possibly original, maybe just had heads redone as the valve springs would be the weak point.
So I'd say it's possibly original, maybe just had heads redone as the valve springs would be the weak point.
04-30-2018, 07:48 PM
#3
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We don't know how well it runs, so we can't make that assessment. That odometer can't be reset, and it's illegal in most states to reset an odometer, anyway. The reason you see so many engines running badly or ruined with fewer miles is that so many people try to "upgrade" them. If you want it to last, KEEP MAINTAINING IT - nothing else.
I took my 4.9L out of a totalled '95 F150 that had been in the JY long enough for wasps to move in. My estimation of the truck's original mileage was 80-120Kmi. I've put over 700Kmi on it since then, so my current estimate of the engine mileage is 860Kmi. It runs like-new, and it has never been rebuilt.
I took my 4.9L out of a totalled '95 F150 that had been in the JY long enough for wasps to move in. My estimation of the truck's original mileage was 80-120Kmi. I've put over 700Kmi on it since then, so my current estimate of the engine mileage is 860Kmi. It runs like-new, and it has never been rebuilt.
04-30-2018, 08:18 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you...
@sdmartin65, thank you for that input. I guess whoever had this before me did the right thing and I am considering myself lucky...
@Steve83, thank you so much, I understand. I have been around vehicles, driving and working on them long enough to know “runs well vs runs not so well” and I know my opinion is subjective. Let’s just say that I think I lucked out with this motor.
What you have said is a testament to quality engineering and that treating your vehicle well will reap rewards. I am completely amazed that your engine could possibly have that many miles on it, GO FORD!
Thank you so much for your insight and I fully intend to do the right thing by this truck.
Also, I was unaware that it was illegal to reset an odometer. I just assumed that is what you would do if you rebuilt a motor. I wasn’t thinking about the effects that such a practice would have on the used vehicle market.
Thank you both for taking the time to respond to my post...
-Tango51
@Steve83, thank you so much, I understand. I have been around vehicles, driving and working on them long enough to know “runs well vs runs not so well” and I know my opinion is subjective. Let’s just say that I think I lucked out with this motor.
What you have said is a testament to quality engineering and that treating your vehicle well will reap rewards. I am completely amazed that your engine could possibly have that many miles on it, GO FORD!
Thank you so much for your insight and I fully intend to do the right thing by this truck.
Also, I was unaware that it was illegal to reset an odometer. I just assumed that is what you would do if you rebuilt a motor. I wasn’t thinking about the effects that such a practice would have on the used vehicle market.
Thank you both for taking the time to respond to my post...
-Tango51
04-30-2018, 10:20 PM
#5
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No one who has seen me drive would say I "treat it well"... 
But I maintain it diligently, using only top-quality parts (including MANY from JYs across the continent) and the best procedures I've learned. Most of them, from the Haynes manual...
(phone app link)
...but also from working at a Ford dealership, other dealerships, several independent shops, and from friends & acquaintances who are pros.
BTW
I did OSUT at the Sand Hilton in '88.
But I maintain it diligently, using only top-quality parts (including MANY from JYs across the continent) and the best procedures I've learned. Most of them, from the Haynes manual...(phone app link)
...but also from working at a Ford dealership, other dealerships, several independent shops, and from friends & acquaintances who are pros.
BTW
I did OSUT at the Sand Hilton in '88.
05-01-2018, 11:53 AM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Haha! Thank you for your service my friend. Here's to that Grunt Life! 
Spent some time there myself, I was a Private in D 2/58 and a Drill in F 2/58.
"Love of Country!"
Spent some time there myself, I was a Private in D 2/58 and a Drill in F 2/58.
"Love of Country!"
05-06-2018, 01:38 PM
#7
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i have a 1989 f150 with 5.0 liter stock pretty sure its got over 100thousand miles on odometer says 17thousand and some change just wondering what weight and brand of oil and filter to use thanks
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05-06-2018, 02:06 PM
#8
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05-06-2018, 06:47 PM
#9
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Preferred Oil...
If anyone has any input on this subject it would be greatly appreciated.
Steve83, your opinion?
- Tango51
