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Topic: How to properly identify a 302 HO engine? (Read 1978 times) previous topic - next topic

How to properly identify a 302 HO engine?

Hey all,  I'm new here and to be honest I don't own a Cougar....yet.
My decision is resting upon whether or not the engine sitting in my dads garage is a standard 302 or a HO.  The car I have lined up is I believe an '85 Mercury Cougar, it has a 5.0 302 in it, battery is on the passenger side, beige leather interior etc... but the engine has one blown cylinder.

The engine in the garage was out of an '88 or '89 LTD Ford Crown Victoria LX Police Interceptor/Police Special (can't remember exactly what it said).
My dad insists that it is a HO, but he had swapped some parts from his dead '92 F-150 302 onto this engine (oil pan, EFI Manifold and whatever else needed to be done) so there are no markings that I can see that actually say HO on them.

Is there any easy way to tell if it's of the HO variety?  Can I use the EFI manifold from the F-150, or should I get one from a Mustang as well as other parts?

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Re: How to properly identify a 302 HO engine?

Reply #1 –
Look at the firing order. It is different between the HO and SO.

Re: How to properly identify a 302 HO engine?

Reply #2 –
No Crown Vic (police special or not) ever got a HO engine from the factory. If it has the 3/4" reach spark plugs it ain't a HO (unless it is from a '86 Stang or '86-'87 LSC Lincoln, those engines used the shiznitty E6SE heads like the SO 5.0)

Injected 5.0 HOs are in Stangs, LSC Mark VIIs, '91-'93 Birds/cougars and Explorers.
 

Re: How to properly identify a 302 HO engine?

Reply #3 –
The easiest way to tell is the tubular headers. Also I believe the HO's had gray oil pans and the non-ho's had black. The upper intake has "HO" on it under the 5.0 HO badge. The parts could be added on so it's a chance somebody messed with the motor. You also can look at the VIN number on Lincoln Mark 7's to see if it is or not. Like I said the easiest ways are the oil pans and the tubular headers.

James