Horse power in my 302

[deltabronco]

I have the stock 302 in my 76 EB. What is the horsepower on this engine? When I first got it It had decent pickup but nothing spectacular. I am doing a ground up restoration and was about to remove the engine. I figure if I was going to do any serious modifications to the engine , now would be the time.

 

[Broncobowsher]

HP 134@3600 RPM
Torque 242@2000 RPM.

Those are SAE net. Remember that torque is what moves you, HP is for bragging rights.

 

[deltabronco]

Thanks. How much can I tweek the engine. I Khnow you can do alot with the 5.0 liter 302. Are the CID engines the same?

 

[Gummi Bear]

Most of the parts between a 302 and a 5.0 will interchange. Essentially they're the same motor, the 5.0 is just an updated version with roller cam and lifters, plus a few other goodies.

Be aware when buying performance parts - many of them are intended to make power at high RPM's, which is basically useless to an EB, since we near redline at 5,000 RPM.

A 4 barrel, a smarter exhaust, and taking off the stupid smog junk will net you quite a few ponies. Holley and Edelbrock are great on a hot rod, but don't belong on a 4x4. Stick with a Q-jet, and save yourself a lot of headache.

There is a long standing debate on the benefit of headers, personally, I went back to manifolds and a nice quiet 2-into-1 system. I've long since outgrown the thrill of listening to a loud ass exhaust all day on the trail or the highway.

 

[needabronco]

Remember 134/242 are new engine numbers if your engine is 30+ years old it would most likely pull lower numbers.

A good cam, headers, carb would help add some more low end torque and help pick up some mid range power, don't get sucked into the big horsepower mods as they usually make power above say 4000 RPMs where your bronco most likely wont spend alot of time anyways.

 

[wildbill]

To get some good HP and a lot of torque is drop in a nice warm 351W good luck. Bill %) ;D

 

[Rustytruck]

134/242 are not just new 1977 engine numbers they are also flywheel numbers not rear wheel numbers used today. Figure on loosing 25% on age and actual rear wheel numbers.

in 1977 the biggest problem is dished pistons and large CC heads get you 8 to 1 compression ratio and a crappy smog designed camshaft. Without getting into high HP and High RPM look to using a set of small chamber 289 heads and a new camshaft designed for low rpm use. this should get you close to 200 Hp after that your stuck pushing up into High rpm stuff and running in a range you will never drive your Bronco in. You will probably have to run preimium fuel though.
After you go through this trouble you can slap in a stock 351 and get far better numbers with a stock motor running regular fuel.
If you want more power basicly you have to trash everything except the crank and the block and start over.
Then you can have all the power you want you just have to have cubic dollars to pay for it.

What ever you do make sure you have the proper gearing for your tires if you dont then no matter what you do the engine is climbing an up hill battle.
3.5 for 28 inch tires, 3.73 for 30 inchers, 4.11 for 33 inchers, 4.56 for 35 inchers.
The least power you have the more important the gearing is.

 

[deltabronco]

Thanks Rustytruck. Sounds like putting a 351 would be the best route. However, this was my grandfathers and I am restring it to drive around town. The 302 is the original engine and has only 58,000 miles on it. I will probably clean it up and leave it alone.