1969 Mustang Engine Information – 302 cubic inch V-8 (4.9 L Windsor V8 + & Boss V8)
The 302 Windsor V8 + A Big Welcome To The Boss 302
The 302 cubic inch engine was introduced in 1968 to the Mustang and continued to be offered in 1969. The now revised 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor engine had 210 hp. In addition, a number variety of performance packages were introduced that included names like the Mach 1, the Boss 302 and the Boss 429. The two Boss models were to homologate the engines for racing.
After a very disappointing 1968 racing season Ford designed a new engine specifically for F.I.A. Trans Am competition in 1969, the Boss 302. The engine was introduced on April 17, 1969. About 8,600 Boss 302 engines were built. The Boss 302 block was essentially the next generation of 289 High Performance hardware, but features a forged steel crankshaft, 4-bolt main caps, and screw-in freeze plugs. These modifications were developed as part of the 302 Tunnel Port design. Street versions used connecting rods similar to the 289 Hi-Po while the Trans Am version used heavier 7/16″ bolts.
The real magic of the Boss engines came from the canted-valve Cleveland cylinder heads. While the Boss 302 was normally considered a 302 with 351 Cleveland heads, these canted-valve heads were used first on the Boss before the rest of the Cleveland was developed. As fitted to the Boss, the heads feature steel spring seats, screw-in rocker studs, pushrod guide plates, and adjustable rocker arms. The Boss 302 and 351C-4V head casting were the same except for a minor difference in water passages. Camshafts were quite similar to the 289 Hi-Po. Due to the larger Cleveland-style heads, the Boss 302 weighs somewhat more than the normal 302, tipping the scales at 500 lbs.
The street version was conservatively rated at 290 HP @ 5800 RPM.During the ’69 Trans Am season the racing engines were putting out 470 bhp at a 9,000 rpm redline.
Learn more about the Ford Mustang 302 engine
Engine Basics
Year |
1969 |
1969 Boss |
bbl |
2 barrel |
4 barrel |
Cylinders |
V8 |
V8 |
Power (hp) |
210 hp @ 4,400 RPM |
290 hp @ 5,800 RPM |
Torque (lb/ft) |
295 lb/ft @ 2,400 RPM |
290 lb/ft @ 4,300 RPM |
Compression |
9.5:1 |
10.5:1 |
Displacement |
302 cu / 4.9 liters |
302 cu / 4.9 liters |
Bore x Stroke |
4.000 x 3.00 |
4.000 x 3.00 |
Engine Specs (302 cid V8)
Spark Plugs |
|
Oil filter |
|
Gas Filter |
|
Air Filter |
|
PCV |
|
Oil |
5 quarts of 10W30 or 10W40 |
Oil Pressure |
35 – 60 PSI |
Points |
Gap and Dwell at xxx RPM |
Timing |
6 Degrees BTDC Manual & 6 Degrees BTDC Automatic |
Valve adjustment |
|
Valve size |
|
Valve arrangement |
R. Side I E I E I E I E Front to rear |
Valve arrangement |
L. Side E I E I E I E I Front to rear |
Boss 302 Valve Adj. |
Mechanical Hot lifter adjustment for the Boss 302- 0.025 Intake and Exhaust |
Manifold Vacuum |
18 inches at idle |
|
|
Warm Idle Manual Trans |
575-600 RPM |
Warm Idle Auto Trans |
475-500 RPM |
Carburetor CFM |
|
Bore and stroke |
4.00 X 3.0028 |
Compression |
9.5:1 (155 – 199 psi @ cranking speed), 9.0:1 5.0L |
Compression Pressure |
130-170 @ cranking speed |
HP and Torque |
210 or 225 (HO) hp at 4400 RPM and 158 ft/lbs torque at 2400 RPM |
Taxable HP |
51.2 |
Distributor Rotation |
Counter Clockwise |
Firing order |
Non H.O.’s = 1 – 5 – 4 – 2 – 6 – 3 – 7 – 8 |
Engine Torque Specifications
All torque specifications provided in this table are those recommended by FORD. If you use special bolts, follow the torque specifications provided by the manufacturer. I recommend that you use the 3 step torque technique where you torque down the bolts in three equal steps. Once you have reached the maximum recommended torque setting, go around one more time. Do not torque in a circular pattern. Always torque cross to cross.
Head bolts |
65-70 |
Crank cap bolts |
60-70 |
Rod end caps |
19-24 |
Intake bolts |
20-22 |
Exhaust manifold bolts |
15-20 |
Upper intake on EFI |
12-18 |
Harmonic damper |
70-90 |
A/C Compressor mounts |
|
Engine fan |
|
Motor mounts to engine |
85 |
Bellhousing bolts |
|
Trans to bellhousing |
25 |
Flywheel to Crankshaft |
75-85 |
Oil pan bolts |
7-9 |
Valve cover bolts |
10 |
Carburetor mount bolts |
|
Oil pickup |
10-15 |
Spark plugs |
|
Oil pump mounting bolts |
22-32 |
Trans. inspection plate |
|
Water pump bolts |
15-22 |
Clutch Pressure plate |
35 |
Water Pump |
20 |
Upper cam gear bolt |
40-45 |
Rocker arm bolts |
18-25 |
Camshaft thrust plate |
10 |
Crankshaft Bearing Journal Specifications (302)
Main Bearing Journal (inches)
Journal Diameter |
2.2482 – 2.2490 |
Oil Clearance |
0.0005- 0.0024 Except #1 bearing which is 0.001- 0.0018
|
Shaft end play |
0.004 – 0.008 |
Thrust on number |
3 |
Connecting Rod Journals
Journal Diameter |
2.1228 – 2.1236 |
Oil Clearance |
0.008 – 0.0026 |
Side clearance |
0.003 – 0.010 |
Crankshaft Bearing Journal Specifications (302 Boss)
Main Bearing Journal (inches)
Journal Diameter |
2.2482 – 2.2490 |
Oil Clearance |
0.0005- 0.0024 Except #1 bearing which is 0.001- 0.0018
|
Shaft end play |
0.004 – 0.008 |
Thrust on number |
3 |
Connecting Rod Journals
Journal Diameter |
2.1222 – 2.1230 |
Oil Clearance |
0.0015 – 0.0025 |
Side clearance |
0.003 – 0.010 |
Piston Ring Specifications (302)
Comp Ring Width
Top |
0.077 – 0.078 |
Bottom |
0.077 – 0.078 |
Ring side clearance
Top |
0.002 – 0.004 |
Bottom |
0.002 – 0.004 |
Oil ring |
Snug |
Ring gap width
Top |
0.010 – 0.020 |
Bottom |
0.010 – 0.020 |
Oil Ring |
0.015 – 0.069 |
Piston Ring Specifications (302 Boss)
Comp Ring Width
Top |
0.077 – 0.078 |
Bottom |
0.077 – 0.078 |
Ring side clearance
Top |
0.002 – 0.004 |
Bottom |
0.002 – 0.004 |
Oil ring |
Snug |
Ring gap width
Top |
0.010 – 0.020 |
Bottom |
0.010 – 0.020 |
Oil Ring |
0.015 – 0.069 |
Piston Specifications
|
302 |
302 Boss |
Code Red |
3.9984 – 3.3990 |
3.9968 – 3.9974 |
Code Blue |
3.9996 – 4.0002 |
3.9980 – 3.9986 |
0.003 Oversize |
4.0008 – 4.0014 |
3.9992 – 3.9998 |
Piston to Cyl. Bore clearance |
0.0018 – 0.0026 |
0.0034 – 0.0042 |
Piston Pin Bore Dia. |
0.9123 – 0.9126 |
0.9122 – 0.9125 |
Valve Specifications
Year |
1969 |
1969 Boss |
Seat angle |
45 |
45 |
Face angle |
44 |
44 |
Valve spring pressure lbs/inches |
180 @ 1.23 |
315 @ 1.31 |
Valve spring installed height (in) |
1 21/32 |
1 13/16 |
Stem guide clearance (in) – Intake |
0.0010 – 0.0027 |
0.0010 – 0.0027 |
Stem guide clearance (in) – Exhaust |
0.0015 – 0.0032 |
0.0015 – 0.0032 |
Stem Diameter (in) – Intake |
0.342 |
0.342 |
Stem Diameter (in) – Exhaust |
0.3415 |
0.3415 |
Tune Up Specs
Year |
1969 “F” Code |
1969 Boss |
Spark Plug |
Autolite BF-42 |
Autolite AF-32 |
Plug Gap |
.032″-.036″ |
.035″ |
Dwell |
24-29 (manual), 26-31 (automatic) |
30-33 |
Point Gap |
.017″-.021″ |
.020″ both sets |
Intake |
1.773″-1.788″ |
2.225″ -2.375″ |
Exhaust |
1.442″-1.457″ |
1.647″-1.662″ (early 1969), 1.7075″-1.7125″
|
Carburetor |
Autolite 2300-A (2V) Automatic choke |
Holley 4150-C (4V), manual choke
|