1984 Mustang Engine Information & Specs – 302 Windsor V8 (5.0 L)

"5.0L" Ford Small Block V8 Technical Specs & Data

1984 Mustang Engine Information – 302 cubic inch V-8 (5.0 L Windsor V8)

The “5.0L” Ford Small Block V8

The 302 cubic inch engine was introduced in 1968 to the Mustang. Although it is a derivative of the 289 mustang, some parts are not interchangeable. In fact the block of a 289 cannot be used without some machining. Since the 302 crankshaft is larger, it requires a notched out section in the engine sidewall to allow the connecting rod end bolts to pass. If you are unsure of the parts you are using to build an engine, check tolerances carefully.

Both the engines are 90 degree V8’s.  Both are built well and will run forever if you treat them right.  I have put well over 500,000 miles on a 302 with minor problems and good maintenance. I have also owned a 1965, 1966 and 1967, 289 CID engine.  They all pull strong and have lasted. Good maintenance as with everything is the key.

All 302 engines with the exception of the Tunnel Port and the Boss have 2 bolt mains. The Tunnel port has 4 bolt mains and the 302 Boss has 4 bolt mains and is cross bolted as well. All 302’s drank regular gas except the Tunnel port and Boss engines, they gulped premium gas. Of all the 302 engines, only the Boss had solid adjustable lifters all others had hydraulic lifters.

On the distributor side of the equation, the Boss utilized a dual point, vacuum advance distributor with RPM limits of 5,950-6,050 in 1969 and 6,050-6,150 in 1970. The street 302’s and the Tunnel Port used a single point vacuum advance distributor.

The 302’s life cycle lasted from 1968 to 1973.  In 1974 do to the normally invasive Federal government’s BS and a contrived oil shortage, Ford no longer offered the V8 powerhouse in the Mustang. However, for reasons unknown to consumers an anemic 302 was offered again in 1975 through 1978. In 1979, it was stopped and came back in 1982 with the moniker of 5.0L.

I will attempt to provide information on the birth, evolution, disappearance, resurrection and final death of the 302 (5.0L) in 1995. Very few other engines have had a life span of about 30 years. This is a testament of the quality and performance of this engine. This also explains why there is a great abundance of aftermarket parts available at very reasonable prices.

The 302 had a late Ford blue engine block color and late Ford blue valve covers.  The 5.0L engine was gray on gray.  Some later 5.0L engines were simple the cast iron block color on the block and gray valve covers.

Engine Basics

Year 1984 (“F” Code)
bbl CFI
Cylinders 8
Power (hp) 165 hp @ 3,800 RPM
Torque (lb/ft) 245 lb/ft @ 2,200 RPM
Compression 8.4:1
Displacement 302 cu / 4.94 liters
Bore x Stroke 3.781 x 3.126

Year 1984 (“M” Code)
bbl 2 barrel
Cylinders 8
Power (hp) 175 hp @ 4,000 RPM
Torque (lb/ft) 245 lb/ft @ 2,200 RPM
Compression 8.4:1
Displacement 302 cu / 4.94 liters
Bore x Stroke 3.781 x 3.126

Engine Specs (302 cid V8)

  • F.O. 1-3-4-2
  • Cylinders front to rear 1,2,3,4
  • Firing order for most v8 engines except for 302 HO & some 351’s
    • FO. 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
  • Firing order for the 302 HO engine
    • FO. 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
  • 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

Cylinder compression pressure
101 PSI minimum
Oil pressure
40-65 @ 2000 rpm
Spark plugs
ASF42C set to 0.050
Cylinder head warp limit
0.003 in 6″ or 0.06 overall
Thermostat starts to open / full open up to 1988
193-200 / 221 degrees
Thermostat starts to open / full open 1988 and up
188-195 / 221 degrees
Radiator cap pressure
Timing
10 BTDC with spout disconnected
Valve stem to rocker arm clearance non-HO 0.096-0.014
Valve stem to rocker arm clearance – HO 0.123-0.146
Valve stem to rocker arm clearance non-HO allowable 0.071-0.171
Valve stem to rocker arm clearance – HO allowable 0.098-0.198
Timing chain deflection .5 “
Manifold Vacuum 18 inches at idle
Distributor Rotation Counter Clockwise
Counter Clockwise

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.

Cylinder head bolts except 1993 flanged 55-65, then 65-72
Cylinder head bolts 1993 flanged bolts 25-35,45-55, then an additional 1/4 turn
Upper Intake manifold bolts 12-18
Intake manifold to block bolts 23-25
Oil filter to insert engine block 20-30
Exhaust manifold bolts non- 1993 Cobra 18-24
Exhaust manifold bolts 1993 Cobra 26-32
Valve covers 10-13
Flywheel/drive plate bolts 75-85
Rocker arm fulcrum bolts 18-25
Oil pan to engine block bolts 1979 small bolts 7-9, then 10-12
Oil pan to engine block bolts 1979 large bolts 11-13, then 15-17
Oil pan to engine block bolts 1980-1987 9-11
Oil pan to engine block bolts 1988 & up 6-9
Oil pickup tube to main bearing cap nut 22-32
Oil pump mounting bolts 22-32
Crankshaft sprocket bolt 40-45
Crankshaft pulley crank bolt 70-90
Camshaft retaining plate bolt 9-12
Main bearing cap b olts 60-70
Connecting rod cap nuts 19-24
Timing chain cover bolts 12-18
Water pump bolts 12-18
Thermostat housing bolts to 1987 9-12
Thermostat housing bolts 1988 & up 12-18
fan pulley to hub bolts up to 1989 12-18
fan clutch to water pump 1990 & up 15-22
Shift lefer attaching bolts 17-25
Auto transmission pan bolts C4 & C5 12-16
Auto transmission pan bolts A4LD 8-10
Auto transmission pan bolts AOD 6-10
Engine mount to block bolts 85
Engine mount to frame nuts & bolts
Carb to intake 2150 2V 14-16
Carb to intake 4180-C 4V 14-20
Oil pan drain plug 12-16
Pedal support brake bracket 13-25
Spark plugs 1979 – 1987 10-15
Spark plugs 1988 7 up 5-10
Wheel lug nuts 80-105
Front hub nut 17-25, back off nut, then re-torque to 10-15
Bellhousing to engine bolts 28-38
Pressure plate to flywheel 12-24
Driveshaft flange 70-95
clutch self adjuster nut 17-26

Valve Specifications

Minimum valve margin width 1/32
Intake & exhaust valve seat angle 45 degrees
Intake & exhaust valve face angle 44 degrees
Intake & exhaust valve seat width 0.060-0.080
Intake & exhaust valve face runout limit 0.002
Intake & exhaust valve seat run-out limit 0.002
Intake stem diameter Standard 0.3416-0.3423
Intake stem diameter – 0.015 oversized 0.3566-0.3573
Intake stem diameter – 0.030 oversized 0.3716-0.3723
valve stem to guide clearance – standard 0.0010-0.0027
valve stem to guide clearance svc. limit 0.005″
Exhaust stem diameter – standard 0.3411-0.3418
Exhaust stem diameter – 0.015 oversized 0.3561-0.3568
Exhaust stem diameter – 0.030 oversized 0.3711-0.3718
Exhaust valve stem to guide clearance std 0.0015-0.0032
Exhaust valve stem to guide clearance-limit 0.0055
Valve spring pressure – intake 1979, 1980 valve open 190 to 212 @ 1.36″
Valve spring pressure – intake 1979, 1980 valve closed 74 to 82 @ 1.78″
Valve spring pressure – intake 1981, 1982 valve open 196 to 214 @1.36
Valve spring pressure – intake 1981, 1982 valve closed 74 to 82 @ 1.78″
Valve spring pressure – intake 1983, non-HO valve open 196 to 214 @1.36
Valve spring pressure – intake 1983, HO valve open 194 to 214 @1.33
Valve spring pressure – intake 1983, ALL valve closed 74 to 82 @ 1.78″
Valve spring pressure – intake 1984 – 1987 valve open-non HO 196 to 214 @1.36
Valve spring pressure – intake 1984 – 1987 valve open- HO 215 to 235 @ 1.33″
Valve spring pressure – intake 1984 – 1987 valve closed, non-HO 74 to 82 @ 1.78″
Valve spring pressure – intake 1981, 1982 valve closed, HO 76 to 84 @1.79
Valve spring pressure – intake 1988 and up valve open 211 to 230 @1.36
Valve spring pressure – intake 1988 and up valve closed 74 to 82 @ 1.78″
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1979, 1981 valve open 190 to 210 @ 1.20 “
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1979, 1981 valve closed 76 to 84 @ 1.60″
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1982, 1983 valve open 195 to 215 @ 1.05″
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1982, 1983 valve closed 71 to 79 @ 1.60″
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1984-87 non-HO valve open 195 to 215 @ 1.05″
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1984-87 HO valve open 210 to 230 @ 1.15″
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1984-87, non-HO valve closed 71 to 79 @ 1.60″
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1984 – 1987 valve closed- HO 79 to 87 @ 1.60″
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1988 and up valve open 200 to 226 @ 1.15″
Valve spring pressure – exhaust 1988 and up valve closed 77 to 85 @ 1.60″
Valve spring pressure service limit 10 % loss
out of square limit 5/64
Installed height intake 1979 – 1987 non HO 1 43/64 -1 45/64
Installed height intake 1979 – 1987 HO
Installed height intake 1988 and up 1 3/4 to 1 13/16
Installed height exhaust 1979 – 1987 non HO 1 37/64 – 1 39/64
Installed height exhaust 1979 – 1987 HO
Installed height exhaust 1988 and up 1 37/64 – 1 41/64
Valve lifter diameter standard 0.874-0.8745
Lifter bore clearance 0.0007-0.0027
lifter bore clearance service limit 0.005

Crankshaft Specs

Connecting rod journal diameter 2.1228-2.1236
Connecting rod journal out-of-round / taper limit 0.005″
Connecting rod Bearing oil clearance desired 0.0008-0.0015
Connecting rod Bearing oil clearance allowed 0.0008-0.0024
Connecting rod side clearance std. 0.010-0.020
Connecting rod side clearance allowed 0.023
Main Bearing journal diameter 2.2490-2.2482
Main Bearing journal out_of_round limit 0.0006
Main Bearing journal taper limit 0.0004 per inch
Main Bearing journal runout – Standard 0.002
Main Bearing journal runout – limit 0.005
Main bearing oil clearance 1979-1981 #1 journal 0.0001-0.0015
Main bearing oil clearance 1979-1981 #all other journals 0.0004-0.0015
Main bearing oil clearance 1979-1981 #1 journal, allowable 0.0001-0.0017
Main bearing oil clearance 1979-1981 #all other journals, allowable 0.0004-0.0021
Main bearing oil clearance 1982-1984 #1 journal 0.0004-0.0025
Main bearing oil clearance 1982-1984 #all other journals 0.0004-0.0015
Main bearing oil clearance 1982-1984 #1 journal, allowable 0.0001-0.0030
Main bearing oil clearance 1982-1984 #all other journals, allowable 0.0004-0.0021
Main bearing oil clearance 1985 and up desired 0.0004-0.0015
Main bearing oil clearance 1985 and up, allowable 0.0004-0.0021
Crankshaft endplay – Standard 0.004-0.008
Crankshaft endplay service limit 0.012
Cylinder bore diameter 1979 – 1986 4.0004-4.0052
Cylinder bore diameter 1987 – up 4.0004-4.0048
Cylinder bore out-of-round limit 0.005
Cylinder bore taper limit 0.01
Pistons diameter, 1979 – 1987, code red 3.9984-3.9990
Pistons diameter, 1988 and up, code red 3.9972-3.9980
Pistons diameter, 1979 – 1987, code blue 3.9996-4.0002
Pistons diameter, 1988 to 1993, non-HO code blue 3.9984-4.9992
Pistons diameter, 1993 HO code blue 4.0009-4.0030
Pistons diameter, 1979 – 1987, code yellow 4.0020-4.0026
Pistons diameter, 1988 to 1993, non-HO code yellow 3.9996-4.0004
Pistons diameter, 1993 HO code yellow 4.0015-4.0021
Piston diameter 0.003 in oversize through 1987 4.0008-4.0014
Piston to bore clearance limit, 1979-1987 0.0018-0.0026
Piston to bore clearance limit, 1988 & up 0.0030-0.0038
Piston ring end gap, compression rings, 1987-1992 0.010-0.020
Piston ring end gap, oil ring 1987-1992 0.015-0.055
Piston ring end gap, compression rings, 1993 HO top ring 0.010-0.020
Piston ring end gap, compression rings, 1993 HO second ring 0.018-0.028
Piston ring end gap, oil ring 1993 HO 0.010-0.040
Piston ring side clearance, compression rings -Standard 0.002-0.004
Piston ring side clearance service limit 0.006
Piston ring side clearance oil ring Snug fit