hey guys...hows it goin.....Had some decent luck with this truck and i know the motors rebuilt with about 100,00 +/-, now my question is how can i have this motor last a long time for me. I don't redline it every shift but i don't drive like grandma, i just want this to hold up for me, b/c im 18 and it has to last me a while, what could i do to help this? input back would be awesome, i've heard on here of 302's going 200,000 + ....thanks guys

 

Seriously. I would put the 5.0 up high on the list with engines that last forever.

Think of how many 5.0 mustangs are running strong.

 

The main thing is change the oil! They are pretty tough. Keep the oil changed, flush the cooling system on a reasonable basis, don't drive the crap out of it all the time and they will last quite a while. Keep an eye out for oil under the truck as the rear main seals are notorious and it will eventually start slinging some oil. If you don't mind keeping it topped up though you can nurse it through that for a while too. It starts to become a problem when it starts coating the fly wheel. Then you may have to do something. Otherwise, good luck with it and enjoy it.

 

Install a new timing chain and gears right away, and keep up on routine maintenance.

 

the 302 in my '89 grand marquis has 210k on it and still runs like a champ

wife drives it everyday

...zap!

 

i know of alot of 302 in mustangs with over 200k and some are up around 250k. my 302 has over 110k and is ran very hard. its been driven like this since new. just keep up with the maintenance.

 

the 302 goes way back to the 289..the 289 a short step from the 260...302 in my opion is the best small block V/8 ever made. ( chevy's 302 was hot, in the Z28 )

 

My 302's got over 120k on it, and like everybody says, keep up on the maintenance of it. The engine should outlast the tranny on these.

 

look at the cop 5.0 they would hit 250000 on the one motor with out having any work and ther are run hard

 

To elaborate on what I said earlier, yes, the 302 is often good for 200k miles or more without any work, but if you want it to run even better, install a new timing set at between 75k and 100k miles.

 

The 302 is in my opinion, the best motor ever built. Nothing produced before or after has the ability to create power and torque and maintain its intergrity as the 5.0. If you frequently hammer on it, and its a manual trans (which I would guess it is seeing as you said it does see redline shifts) then something you may want to consider is dropping from a full 5 quarts of oil to 4.5 quarts. This reduces windage and it will run a smidge better. I did that for years in my mustang. You must however, keep an even closer eye on the oil if you so decide to do it. But if you change the oil frequently, and by frequently I mean every 3000 miles, you'll keep that puppy runnin a long time. The 5.0 will consume oil, especially if its rebuilt and old like you say, but thats nothing uncommon. That motor can take a severe beating and still keep churning away. Ford went the wrong way when they left the pushrod behind, and I don't think we'll ever be fortunate enough to see it come back.

 

Wow , i'm amazed with all of the responses, thank you everyone that posted, im glad that the 5.0 is thought highly of, i'll keep up with maintance and everything, i just want to keep this a while b/c i had to part out my 300 with only 128000, but the 5 speed was beat..well i'll keep servicing and will let you all know if i have a prob and need some help, i'm gonna start my exhaust now, i guess headers first to do it the right way ...thanks everyone

 

i drag raced a 302 converted to a boss motor with fuel injetion 8.6 1/4 mile 2450 lb 6000rpm stall will flash at just over 8000rpm just used 1st and top on 3 speed auto 60 ft1,2 sec hp 630 to640hp gear change at 9000rpm thats set in msd7 engen will rev to 11000 and auto was a C4 arfter 10 years engen and auto looked at to freshen things up engine put back with only new timing chain & gaskets auto just put back together no new parts only seals and gaskets best engines ever i ran a GM engine before the ford WILL NOT GO BACK with a bit of work on stock motor timeing chain and valve grind my 1967 ford did 700.000 miles and still going