Longest lasting V-8 for the Cobra

1431 Views 22 Replies 14 Participants Last post by phils88gt, 8 d ago

Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · 16 d ago

I’m thinking the 302 but which engine is the least high maintenance and most drivable. Any suggestions? I’m looking for a fun 4 or 5 speed that doesn’t need to win any races.

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CraigS

· #2 · 16 d ago

A 302 or 351 put together w/ modern gaskets and sealers will be good. Use an efi intake, a mild cam, and shift at 6000 and it will last a long, long time. But realize if your use is typical your FFR will only get 3-4000 miles per year so about anything will last a long time.

Reactions: 2

Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · #3 · 16 d ago

CraigS said:
A 302 or 351 put together w/ modern gaskets and sealers will be good. Use an efi intake, a mild cam, and shift at 6000 and it will last a long, long time. But realize if your use is typical your FFR will only get 3-4000 miles per year so about anything will last a long time.

Thanks Craig. I’m selling a touring motorcycle and replacing it with a FFR. I have been putting around 10,000 miles per year on the bike. My plan is to have the same usage, going on all the same rides just with four wheels.

Brastic

· #4 · 16 d ago

I have the 302, T5, IRS in my Cobra and with the suspension set for the street, it is a fantastic road trip car. Plus with EFI, it always starts and still gets 24MPG on the freeway.

Reactions: 1

rich grsc

· #5 · 15 d ago

The one you like and put in it

egchewy

· #6 · 15 d ago

what does ralph button have in his? 600K miles + or something crazy, am I right?

chris n

· #7 · 15 d ago

well lets see , dad and i picked up the mk1 18 yrs ago as a uncompleted car the guy got in over his head and couldnt fix the problem so his wife made him sell it , boy was she ruff but it had a donor 302 efi in it sort of ran but looked just like it did when the pulled it from the donor dirt and all we changed the upper intake and throttle body and maf put some bling in it fix the major suspension problem , tune up change oil and coolant, and its performed flawlessly for 18 years with nothing other than normal oil changes , i replaced the oil lines last year weve put 40000 miles in it .28 mpg on the highway i dont have to screw with a carb every spring so id say windsor motor all day , the coyote it nice but if i wanted that much po

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wer id put a fe in it

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Reactions: 1

Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · #8 · 15 d ago

Brastic said:
I have the 302, T5, IRS in my Cobra and with the suspension set for the street, it is a fantastic road trip car. Plus with EFI, it always starts and still gets 24MPG on the freeway.

That’s perfect. Exactly what I’m looking for. Thanks

Reactions: 1

narve00

· #9 · 15 d ago

87 up stock 302 w EFI should go 200k without much complaint. At this point open up the EEC IV and replace the caps and that’s about it.

Reactions: 1

Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · #10 · 15 d ago

chris n said:
well lets see , dad and i picked up the mk1 18 yrs ago as a uncompleted car the guy got in over his head and couldnt fix the problem so his wife made him sell it , boy was she ruff but it had a donor 302 efi in it sort of ran but looked just like it did when the pulled it from the donor dirt and all we changed the upper intake and throttle body and maf put some bling in it fix the major suspension problem , tune up change oil and coolant, and its performed flawlessly for 18 years with nothing other than normal oil changes , i replaced the oil lines last year weve put 40000 miles in it .28 mpg on the highway i dont have to screw with a carb every spring so id say windsor motor all day , the coyote it nice but if i wanted that much po View attachment 371880
wer id put a fe in it

Beautiful usable motor just what I want, thanks

Chepsk8

· #11 · 14 d ago

If I did not race and blow one up every 4 years, I may have one last as much as the 50,000 miles on my chassis.

But, the Windsor engine family put together right, properly maintained and cared for, it a clear winner.

I vote 331!

Reactions: 1

phils88gt

· #12 · 13 d ago

I'd vote pushrod 302 if you don't need big power. It's about as simple as an engine can be even when efi. It's smaller than just about anything and is easy to work on.

Reactions: 1

CraigS

· #13 · 13 d ago

I am a strong 351 proponent. For any given hp# the larger engine can be tuned just a little bit milder. Then, later if you get the urge, you can go a bit wilder tune and/or stroke it to 408. I had carbs on mine because efi units, when they first came out, were a lot more $. Now I'd go efi 100%. The nice thing is that a lot of the efi's look very much like a carb so you get the modern performance while still having the old school look. The older 351s had flat tappet cams. Not a big deal but I'd still research a little to find which 351s have the roller cams.

Reactions: 1

phils88gt

· #14 · 11 d ago

CraigS said:
The older 351s had flat tappet cams. Not a big deal but I'd still research a little to find which 351s have the roller cams.

Blocks marked F4TE are roller cam. Not that you can't convert a older block but it requires a unique cam and lifters to do so. An F4 block just uses a regular 5.0 HO type cam and lifters which is cheaper.

Chepsk8

· #15 · 11 d ago

On my older block, I used the retro-fit link-bar roller lifters. Just drop in!

BUT!!!!!! (And a big but) Use Quality ones. My previous motor had a cheaper set used by the engine builder, they did not last, one link-bar came out, making the roller lifter rotate in it's bore. Adios cam & lifter quickly. Lunati's in there now, very happy.

cChrisM

· #16 · 10 d ago

2003 terminator is the only way to go. Best of all worlds.

jeepurz

· #17 · 10 d ago

I'll take flak for this, but I would highly argue a Gen3/4 aluminum LS is going to be your most reliable, most aftermarket support, best gas mileage, and longest living V8 available. If you're open minded to a non-Ford engine, you can't go wrong. If you're interested in a real discussion, PM me.

home james

· #18 · 10 d ago

I'm running a 351 Windsor. Gt40 heads b303 cam. Bored and stroked. Only thing I do is change the oil. In the winter time I might flush out the coolant system or something like that. Pretty much change oil and keep gas in it.

Reactions: 1

waynehyde01

· #19 · 10 d ago

Chrisj357 said:
Thanks Craig. I’m selling a touring motorcycle and replacing it with a FFR. I have been putting around 10,000 miles per year on the bike. My plan is to have the same usage, going on all the same rides just with four wheels.

Miles per year won't matter much. A 302 (my personal preference) or 351 will last you for 15 to 20 years with ease with these modern engine oils, if not longer. Even with some aggressive miles.

Reactions: 1

Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · #20 · 10 d ago

waynehyde01 said:
Miles per year won't matter much. A 302 (my personal preference) or 351 will last you for 15 to 20 years with ease with these modern engine oils, if not longer. Even with some aggressive miles.

Perfect, I may not last 20 years. lol

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