I'm looking at a 92 Ext. Cab with a 302 that is in showroom condition. It is a XLT with a auto. I'm not familiar with the truck world of 5.0s.
Will this truck be mass air?
Does it have a roller cam?
What casting number are the heads?
What gear ratios were available and how about a LSD
What kind of fuel mileage do these things get?
Will it be capable of towing my mustang without a problem?
Is there any issues with the auto trans?

Thanks

 

Pretty sure a 92 will be speed density.
No but the block is roller compatible.
Don't know about the heads
3.08 and 3.55 were the most common. Look at the Axle code on the vehicle ID sticker. 18 is 3.08 open, 19 ia 3.55 open, H9 is 3.55 LS.
Anywhere from 12-20 MPG, depending on equipment, load, speed, etc.
If it has a 3.55 and you have a very light open trailer, it'll do it; the 3.08 will lug a bit. All in all, if you're towing a car and a heavy trailer, you're WAY better off with an F250.
There are 2 auto trannies, the E4OD and either an AOD or AODE (4R70W). Look at the trans code on the ID sticker E is an E4OD, U is an AODE and IIRC the AOD is T. The E4OD is way stronger but prior to 95 had some reliability issues

 

Thanks alot.

I got a couple of more questions now:

How many spline are the axles?
How are the brakes on these things? I hope they better than what came on my 93 Mustang
I'll be pulling my car only a few times a year and it will be on a open trailer so I think it will do it just fine.
What are the common things that goes wrong with them and are there any years between 92-96 that are better than others??

I'll be driving it all interstate at around 70-75mph, I would hope for at least 17mpg.

 

31 spline

The brakes are marginal at best. I strongly recommend PFC "Z" compound pads. They're incredibly dirty but they actually stop the truck, something the stock brake pads only aspire to do.

95 is probably the best year. You get all the upgrades to the E4OD or 4R70W but you don't have to deal with the OBD-II BS that the 96s bring to the party. You also get mass-air in most cases.

17 is very doable with 3.08 gears, marginal with 3.55s. Don't count on anything over 12-14 (or less) when towing.

FWIW the 300 six is a better towing engine than the 302. It makes it's peak torque at much lower RPMs. The 302 will give you marginally better performance when you're running empty but when you load it down with car, trailer and tools, the 300 is the workhorse. The 351 is better than either of them but has a drinking problem.

 

thats what I needed to know. It looks like this 92 will suit me fine. I heard the 4.9 was better for towing but I like the idea of having the 302 because I have parts galore in my shop from my mustang buildup. And if need be I can convert to mass air for any reason that wont be a problem either. Just out of curiosity how much better would the 4.9 get as for as mpg?

About the mpg of the 302, I was hoping for 17mpg without towing anything.

 

There's no MPG difference between the 302 and the 300. If anything the 302 may be a little better, but you'll get some argument on that.

I know what you mean about Mustang parts. I had a pair of old 3 line GT40 heads sitting on the shelf when I bought my truck. It was a real tough choice to buy the 300 or buy and build a 302. I went with the 300 and have not regretted it. Sold the heads at a swap meet.

 

About gas mileage difference between the 300 and 302. I have a 4.9 and am only gettin like 11. From what I know and my experiences the 302 gets better mileage. Especially if the one you are lookin at is showroom condition, it will probably get good mileage, better then my truck i can guarentee that.

 

My 351 is getting 12-14 MPG (1995 year)

Anyways I find that the calipers seize up about once a year on mine.

Keeping in mind that I do the following:
1) Brake stands
2) Carry weights of 1200 pounds - 1600 pounds in the truck a minimum of two times a day every day
3) Tow a 16 foot open trailer with stuff on it about 4 or so times a week.

Pete

 

Lunatic,
If you're only getting 11 MPG out od a 4.9, there's something seriously wrong. Are you getting a MIL? Have you checked codes? How old are your O2 sensors?

 

I was getting 18 MPG on the highway with my 1995 F150 2WD auto when it was newer. It now has 148,000 miles and I am still getting about 15 MPG. (And if I wouldn't lean on the accelerator as much that number would probably improve.)

 

Cool, join the crowd! I just got my truck, and will be towing my stang with it too. Apparently I got the good trans as well, with the E40D. What's your stang run?

 

StrangeRanger,
I havent checked my codes yet, but I can do it at school, Im only 17. But when I pull the codes, how do i know what they mean?

 

I have a 92 F-!50 ext. cab 4X4 5.0 with the e4od & have had to rebuild it to the tune of $1200 so i would watch for a few things. Make sure there is nothing in the pan but trans. fluid (no brass) make sure it has an aftermarket trans cooler. & change fluid & filter regularly. as for mine it is mass air & i get 15-18 mpg with 3.73 gears if i keep after the oxy. sensor & egr valve. maintenence= mpg
Hope this helps

 

I have an '88 F-150 with the 302 and five speed. You can be sure of one thing, it's a really solid truck. I used to get about 18mpg but it's down to about 12mpg now at 192,000 miles. It still runs awesome but I'm sure it is in need of a new oxygen sensor and other little things to bring that back up to par. It leaks a little oil but doens't burn any and can usually make it 3000 miles without adding any.
I towed a Pontiac Bonneville on a 16ft tandem axle trailer one time. It was one heck of a load for the truck and was not fun. You need a lot of stopping distance and the truck would never make it to 70mph. I ran it about 45mph in 3rd gear just to take it fairly easy. Maybe the truck is just getting to old for that kind of work. It is retired now and my '01 Powerstroke takes all the work and asks for more.