1976 Mustang Engine Information – 302 cubic inch V-8 (4.9 L Windsor V8)
The 302 Windsor V8
The 302’s life cycle lasted from 1968 to 1973. In 1974 due to the Federal government’s rules driven by an 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.
The engine bay was re-engineered to accept this updated 302 V8 option for the 1975 model year, with revised hood and header panel. The engine was limited to a two-barrel carburetor and 140 hp. In 1979, it was stopped and came back in 1982 with the moniker of 5.0L.
Learn more about the Ford Mustang 302 engine
Engine Basics
Year |
1976 |
bbl |
2 barrel |
Cylinders |
8 |
Power (hp) |
140 hp @ 4,200 RPM |
Torque (lb/ft) |
234 lb/ft @ 2,200 RPM |
Compression |
8.0:1 |
Displacement |
302 cu / 4.9 liters |
Bore x Stroke |
4.000 x 3.00 |
Note: Automakers in the U.S. switched from gross to net power and torque ratings in 1972 (coinciding with the introduction of low-compression engines); thus, it is difficult to compare power and torque ratings between 1971 and future years.
Engine Specs (302 cid V8)
Spark Plugs |
|
Oil filter |
|
Gas Filter |
|
Air Filter |
|
PCV |
|
Oil |
5 quarts of 10W30 or 10W40 includes filter |
Oil Pressure |
40 – 60 PSI |
Points |
Gap and Dwell at xxx RPM |
Timing |
6 Degrees BTDC Manual & 6 Degrees BTDC Automatic |
Valve adjustment |
|
Valve size |
Intake = 1.773 to 1.791, Exhaust = 1.442 to 1.460 |
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 |
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 |
55-70 |
Crank cap bolts |
60-70 |
Rod end caps |
24 |
Intake bolts |
24 |
Exhaust manifold bolts |
24 |
Upper intake on EFI |
12-18 |
Harmonic damper |
85 |
A/C Compressor mounts |
|
Engine fan |
16 |
Motor mounts to engine |
85 |
Bellhousing bolts |
|
Trans to bellhousing |
25 |
Flywheel to Crankshaft |
80 |
Oil Drain Plug |
20 |
Oil intake to oil pump |
12 |
Crankshaft pulley bolts |
45 |
Thermactor Pump bracket |
20 |
Thermactor Pivot bolt |
30 |
Oil pan bolts 5/16 |
12 |
Oil pan bolts 1/4 |
8 |
Carburetor mount bolts |
20 |
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 |
Valve cover bolts |
10 |
Rocker arm bolts |
17-23 |
Camshaft thrust plate |
12 |
EGR to Carburetor |
16 |
Camshaft gear bolts |
40 |
Alternator bolts |
20 |
Alternator pivot bolt |
50 |
Power Steering pulley to dampner |
45 |
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- 0.012 |
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 |
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 – 0.006 |
Ring gap width
Top |
0.010 – 0.020 |
Bottom |
0.010 – 0.020 |
Oil Ring |
0.015 – 0.055 |
Piston Specifications
|
302 |
Code Red |
3.9984 – 3.9990 |
Code Blue |
3.9996 – 4.0002 |
0.003 Oversize |
4.0008 – 4.0014 |
Piston to Cyl. Bore clearance |
0.0018 – 0.0026 |
Piston Pin Bore Dia. |
|
Valve Specifications
Year |
1976 |
Seat angle |
45 |
Face angle |
46 |
Valve spring pressure lbs/inches |
80 @ 1.690 |
Valve spring installed height (in) |
1 11/16 |
Stem guide clearance (in) – Intake |
0.0007 – 0.0027 |
Stem guide clearance (in) – Exhaust |
0.0015 – 0.0032 |
Stem Diameter (in) – Intake |
0.3420 |
Stem Diameter (in) – Exhaust |
0.3415 |
Tune Up Specs
Year |
|
Spark Plug |
|
Plug Gap |
|
Dwell |
|
Point Gap |
|
Intake |
|
Exhaust |
|
Carburetor |
Motorcraft 2150 2bbl or 5200 2V |