I just got a 1992 2wd 302 5sp manual. I love the little bastard but it seems pretty gutless for having a 5.0 V8 in it.

I've replaced the spark plugs & wires, air filter, oil, and sea foamed the engine through the vacuum line as well as the gas tank. I've also ran some gas line cleaner stuff through it.

What else should I be doing to get this thing running at its best?
Any simple mods to get more power out of it? I don't really tow anything. A small boat in the box of the truck and some hunting hear. I see a lot of guys are talking about swapping out headers and cams and what not.

It also needs new shocks and a new exhaust system (shocks are shot and the muffler has rusted off somewhere down the road)

I also wouldn't mind putting a bit of a lift in it. maybe just a couple of inches. What the best way to go about this as well? Suspension? body? Junk yard parts?

Thanks.

 

Advance the timing and chip the distributor headers and true duals k&n drop in filter will do wonders

 

You sure that 22-year old engine isn't just fault out done for? I wouldn't be doing chips (not any out there that I know of for that setup) and all that junk until you know the engine is still running well.

 

The 92s had various rear axle ratios available and one of them was a 3.08. That makes the 302 a major slug. My uncle still drives one and the truck came with zero rating for trailer towing. It was all about fuel mileage. You'll need at least 3.55s and that's with normal size tires. Put larger tires on it like 31" or larger and it takes a major hit. The best method for seat of the pants power improvements comes from the rear axle ratio.

 

Newsflash: trucks didnt always have 350 horsepower...

This era F150 had high axle ratios and low horsepower. Somehow people managed to get by...

 

Yep...they got used to under powered trucks...put gears in it and you will love it

 

The 302 was a dog! Never was much of a truck engine..

 

I think it had about 180hp when new.

I had a 94 F150 SWB 4x4 with the 180hp 302V8 and I didn't consider it underpowered. But, it's all in the perspective. Midas can check the cats for you to see if they are plugged. Tune it up, replace the filters, check fuel pressure, and swap out the rear gears. Put a bottle of Gumout with Regane for high mileage engines in a tank or two of gas and run it through to clean the injectors. It should be peppy enough.

 

A chip isn't needed, bump timing 2 degrees above factory and listen for ping, no ping present, bump 2 more degrees and stop there. Ensure you run one full tank of 91 or 93 octane prior to timing advancement.

Replace the fuel filter, install new battery cables, a larger charging cable and 130 amp alternator. Now, you are ready for an electric fan.

The cats may be plugged up, purchase a Bassani or Magnaflow catted y-pipe, install a set of shorty headers, atleast 3.55 rear gears to get you off the line quicker.

I would also look into a heavy duty or performance clutch assembly.

 

Start with a wet/dry compression test and see how healthy the engine itself is. Then go from there.

 

The 4.9 in line six was the engine to have back then, the 5.0 is a nice engine but didn't have near the grunt of that big six.

 

Definitely check what gear ratio it is running. Chance are, you got stuck with crappy 3.08 or 3.31's.