5.0 ENGINE SWAP

I own a 1972 Ford Mustang, with a stock 302 engine. the engine is running great, but I am considering swaping the engine out for a 5.0 from a 1985 Ford Mustang GT.  both engines are stock now, and I have no Idea what the HP is on either, am I better off with the 1972 5.0 302 eng or with the 1985 5.0 gt engine???   please help..

The '85 GT motor isn't going to be all that impressive.  The hot ones only made 225 horse factory.  Unless you're worried about wrecking a numbers matching block, I'd build the one you have.  Get yourself a 347 stroker kit, some roush 200's, the list goes on from there.

thnk you for ur reply, so stick with the stock 302 from 1972.  

Don't listen to these guy's, they know nothing. The 85 and up blocks are higher in nickel, have one piece rear crank seals, and best of all, are roller blocks. I'd go with the 85, for sure.  

I got the impression he was just looking at doing a motor swap for increased horsepower.  That being the case I don't think he'll find much in a stock carbed 302. If he's looking to build a hot sbf, then yes the 85 block is the way to go.  I may play with GM's but I still pay attention to what the ford and mopar guys are doin.  Makes my job in the industry easier.  Glad to know i'm a "know-nothing".

I depends on just what you want to do and how much power you want out of it.........both are great engines.........i like the older heads better but both have really crapy valves stock..........but as everything else there is lots of room for improvement.......how are you going to use this engine..............street / strip.........just street.............let me know and i am sure i can match up some parts for you that will be killer.....later....

Sure, the '85 and up blocks make more sense if you want to use a hydraulic roller (although earlier blocks can be converted), but the earlier blocks have more meat because the later blocks were lightened to reduce weight.  "Any 302 block prior to '78 will be stronger then a '78+ or roller-cam block. Another quick way to spot these at a junkyard is an additional unmachined boss poking out of the front of the driver side cylinder bank." http://www.budgetperformance.com/articles/ford_tips/

 
*****
TURBO TED --Internationally known as the "John Force of the Yugo Racing Association."

Sergeant-at-Arms and immediate Past President of the SoAL Yugo Owners Group.

No, the hottest 5.0s were the 240-hp SVT Cobras. http://www.mph-online.com/mag/rearviewmirror/002

Factory ratings, though, are irrelevant because anyone building one of these for serious power will pop for decent aftermarket heads and a bigger cam. http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/stories/sf610/500hp.html

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_head_ford/

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0307_ford/

http://www.mustangandfords.com/techarticles/28898/index.html

*UPDATE* I reread your post . . . you did say the hot ones from 1985 were 225 hp [SAE net]. My bad.

But the 1972 Mustang 302 was not as strong from the factory:

http://www.mustangspecs.com/years/72.shtml

The automatic trans 1985 Mustang GTs got CFI motors and do not have roller camshafts.

You can up the compression ratio on the 85 Mustang motor by using later model cylinder heads like the GT40p heads found on v8 explorers.  They flow better too.

The stock 85 4bbl intake manifold has small ports.  You might want to swap on a Stealth or an RPM.

You will need to use your existing oil pan with the 85 motor and don't mismatch the harmonic balancers or flexplates/flywheels.

Tom

Wrong, turbo breath. The early 302's may have more material, but it's in useless areas, and the roller blocks have a higher nickle content, making them stronger and less apt to wear.  

Don't take that seriously, as I was only stating that the 85+ roller blocks are a stronger base on which to build. I apologize, didn't meean to say you are a know nothing.  

Don't worry about it, I was pissed when I posted but I've got better things to do than worry about some guy on the internet.  Besides you've helped me out with some stuff in the past, I'm over it. Now if only I could get my chebby to run.

Either engine would be fine. They are the same cubes anyway. IMHO I would choose the 85' roller engine just because it is more efficient.

Do take the advise of others that wrote about mismatching balancers and flexplates. The 72' model uses the 28oz balance and the 85 uses a 50oz balance.

The 85' 5.0 was the first year for the roller 5.0 engine and last year for the carb. version.

If you decide on the 85' block remeber that the 85 mustang dipstick is in the driver side oil pan and the early block dipstick runs through the timing cover. So you will need to plug the hole in the 85' block for the dipstick and use the 72' model timing cover for your oil dipstick readings to be correct.