i know this may make me seem like a moron, but i was wondering what the difference between a 5.0 and a 302 is. 302 ci is the same as 5.0 liters, so i figured they were the same engine, but i hear them reffered as if they are complety diffeterent. any insight will be apprecated.
Usally when someone reffers to the 5.0, they are talking about the EFI 302 HO engine used during the 80's to mid 90's. While the displacement was the same, there are some differences between the two. The 5.0 has a stronger web casting, slightly different heads, and a different firing order. The 5.0 also used a two sump oil pan and a roller cam.
The 5.0 also uses a reverse rotation water pump and a 50 oz. harmonic balancer as opposed to the older 302 which uses a 28 oz. balance. They switched to the 351W firing order to reduce load on the bearing and to utilize an existing 351W cam.
Minimal difference in the heads I think. The chamber may be slightly larger and the valve seats are hardened (which is why I put '88 5.0 heads on my 289 several years ago as a cheap fix for my receding valve seats and worn valve train). I think I picked up the pair complete for $40 or $50. But that was at least 10 years ago.
Someone may know the stats and have a different opinion, but I never really noticed much difference after my change other than less oil smoke and other things I was trying to fix.
Yes, the combustion chambers in the 5.0 heads are huge. Somewhere around 68cc-69cc I believe. They also have hardened seats like 67coupedriva mentioned.
They are the supports for the bearings and cylinder walls in the block. An example is the castings that run from the body of the block to the mains. Better technology in metallurgy resulted in a stronger grade of cast iron, which gives the block an overall stronger rating.
While there are minor differences between a 302 and 5.0, they ARE the same engine, same bore, stroke, heads, block,rods,etc. Ford just for some assinine reason chose to call the 302 a 5.0 in 1978-79. Not all 5.0's have reverse rotation water pumps, mine doesn't and it's accessory setup is from an 88 Crown Vic.