I have a 1932 street rod truck and looking to put a high gas milage ford (rear wheel drive) engine in it.Idea?

Question

I have a 302 in it now 9in narrowed rear end (Big Meats Look Cool) going to use the 302 in my 32 two ton. Thinking of using a Ranger 2wd truck (need to redo my fram and front suspention) still want to stay with an automatic trans

Answer 1

Throw another 302 in there...its less work...frees up time and resources to breathe on the motor. Port-match and polish the intake and exhaust passages in the heads. Use Hyperkeutetic (low expansion) pistons (Kieth Black) and set it up a little tight.
Speed pro over-lapping rings are tricky to fit right but add some power. Use a little two-barrel carb with a big spacer under it (longer distance from carb to cylinder = better fuel atomization) The real hot set-up for the carbs would be two two-stage two bbl carbs on a tall cross ram manifold but no one makes 'em for a Ford. Small carbs give better velocity and atomization. Big four bbl's = great for dumping the clutch at four grand but suck around town. Run a hi-voltage ignition. Check all oil passages thoroughly. Fit a stroker crank. Use a crank scraper and shave10 -20 lbs off the crank, knife-edge and polish it. Use synthetic oil. Use lightweight rods. Balance the thing statically and dynamically. Wrap the headers. These are all mods that increase milage as well as power. Of course you will have some tuning to do once you start it up, but you should get some pretty amazing milage from it especially if you baby it alittle.

Answer 2

A turbo 2.3 would be pretty neat, and different.