Thread: Best 302 for my Datsun 280ZX

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Hello all...I am new to this forum and am happy to be here. I'm sure that there are many great minds here when it comes to small block Fords. I am wanting to rebuild a 302 for dropping into my 1983 280ZX Datsun. My first question is...just what year 302 would be best to buy? and why? I will not be going nuts with the engine, just enough for a nice crusing car on weekends. Also...what would be the best choice for an automatic trans ...with some sort of overdrive? These small V8 conversions have been done to my type of car so it not a new thing. There is plenty of info out there to help me along. Thank you in advance for all of your input.

Anything carbed really, even if it's not like, somthing that came out of a 1980's crown vic can be carbed ( new intake and distributor basicly ), some are stock. If you want somthing that has power potential, you want somthing pre 1972.

I would look for a 85 mustang with a 5.0 if you can find one most of them were bought up by cal chp's or you can just build one to fit your application trans would have to be a C4 you wouldn't have enough room for a C-6

All 87 and later mustang gt motors are roller cam motors and easy to switch to carb. 87 through 92 have forged pistons. The short blocks are plentiful and cheap I have had several of them and there tough to beat for the money. Add a good hyd roller cam and holley or BG carb rebuild short block and add Afermarket heads AFR 165 and C4 (no overdrive) and you have a rocket. Good luck finding your motor. I have never done it but I think someone make an adapter to put a 700r4 GM tranny behind a small block ford.