Ford Boss 302 engine
Encyclopedia
The Boss 302 engine is a high-performance small-block
V8
from Ford Motor Company
. It was a hybrid of small-block Ford V8s - It used the block of the small Ford Windsor engine
and the heads of the larger Ford Cleveland engine
. It was created for the SCCA
's Trans-Am
road racing series, and was fitted to the Boss 302 Mustang
.
The high nickel content block has a thicker deck, cylinder walls and beefy 4-bolt main caps. It is identified by screw in freeze plugs on the side of the block, pent roof valve covers, wide heads and a wide intake manifold. A Boss 302 has 8 valve cover bolts (because of the Cleveland heads) as opposed to the standard 302 having 6. The connecting rods are heavy, high strength steel forgings made for high rpm use. The crankshaft is a cross drilled high strength steel forging. The cam and lifters are high lift solid mechanical units.
The wide and large port Cleveland-style heads with staggered valve placement give the Boss 302 high power capabilities. Early units were typically characterized by very large intake and exhaust valves sitting in a small quench style combustion chamber.
The motor has a unique sound as a result of its solid lifter configuration. At idle, properly tuned, the engine has a great deal of 'chatter.'
The power output on this engine competes very well with other high performance smallblocks, like the Chevy 302, the Chrysler 340, and AMC 360
.
The original designer, Larry Shinoda, came up with the Boss moniker as a way to pay homage to Bunkie Knudsen, the CEO at Ford and an outspoken proponent of the car's development. He just called him "Boss," he didn't call him "Mr. Knudsen," he was the Boss. So when he told his designers, "I want to design a car that's the coolest mustang out there. I don't want somebody else's name on it, like a Shelby, " so they call it the Boss mustang, because they designed it for the new boss.
This engine was also available on a limited basis in the Mercury Cougar Eliminator.
offers a "Boss 302" crate engine with displacement between 302 cu in (5 l) to 363 cu in (6 l). Entry level engines feature Ford Racing GT-40X Xtra Performance Turbo Swirl aluminum heads to retain stock exhaust locations and are rated at 340 and 345 hp. Higher performance versions include Ford Racing's Z-head equipped 302 and 347 cu in (5.7 l) engines rated between 360 and 450 hp, depending on configuration. The highest power version is a 331 cu in (5.4 l) rated 500 hp.
The engine went on sale in 2007.
BOSS 302 was unveiled in 2006 SEMA show.
Cylinder block
A cylinder block is an integrated structure comprising the cylinder of a reciprocating engine and often some or all of their associated surrounding structures...
V8
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
from Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
. It was a hybrid of small-block Ford V8s - It used the block of the small Ford Windsor engine
Ford Windsor engine
The Windsor is a 90-degree small-block V8 engine from Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 1962, replacing the previous Ford Y-block engine. Though not all of the engines in this family were produced at the Windsor, Ontario engine plant , the name stuck...
and the heads of the larger Ford Cleveland engine
Ford 335 engine
The Ford 335 engine family were a group of small-block V8 engines built by the Ford Motor Company between 1970 and 1985. The significance of the Numerals '335' designated to this series of Small block Ford V8 engines is relatively unknown...
. It was created for the SCCA
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
's Trans-Am
Trans-Am Series
The Trans-Am Series is an automobile racing series which was created in 1966 by Sports Car Club of America President John Bishop. Originally known as the Trans-American Sedan Championship it has evolved over time from its original format as a manufacturers championship for modified racing sedans...
road racing series, and was fitted to the Boss 302 Mustang
Boss 302 Mustang
The Boss 302 Mustang is a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang originally produced in 1969 and 1970, but revived in the 2012 model year. It was produced for the Trans Am racing series, while the Mustang Boss 429 which was produced the same years was built around a larger engine.-First...
.
The high nickel content block has a thicker deck, cylinder walls and beefy 4-bolt main caps. It is identified by screw in freeze plugs on the side of the block, pent roof valve covers, wide heads and a wide intake manifold. A Boss 302 has 8 valve cover bolts (because of the Cleveland heads) as opposed to the standard 302 having 6. The connecting rods are heavy, high strength steel forgings made for high rpm use. The crankshaft is a cross drilled high strength steel forging. The cam and lifters are high lift solid mechanical units.
The wide and large port Cleveland-style heads with staggered valve placement give the Boss 302 high power capabilities. Early units were typically characterized by very large intake and exhaust valves sitting in a small quench style combustion chamber.
The motor has a unique sound as a result of its solid lifter configuration. At idle, properly tuned, the engine has a great deal of 'chatter.'
The power output on this engine competes very well with other high performance smallblocks, like the Chevy 302, the Chrysler 340, and AMC 360
AMC V8 engine
American Motors Corporation produced a series of widely-used V8 engines from the mid-1950s before being absorbed into Chrysler in 1987. Chrysler kept the AMC V8 in production until 1991 for the Jeep Grand Wagoneer....
.
The original designer, Larry Shinoda, came up with the Boss moniker as a way to pay homage to Bunkie Knudsen, the CEO at Ford and an outspoken proponent of the car's development. He just called him "Boss," he didn't call him "Mr. Knudsen," he was the Boss. So when he told his designers, "I want to design a car that's the coolest mustang out there. I don't want somebody else's name on it, like a Shelby, " so they call it the Boss mustang, because they designed it for the new boss.
This engine was also available on a limited basis in the Mercury Cougar Eliminator.
Ford Racing Performance Parts BOSS 302 (2007-)
Ford RacingFord Racing
Ford Racing is the Ford Motor Company's racing division and the multinational name used for its motorsport activity.-History:* 1896 - Henry Ford reached a top speed of 20 mph in his first car, Quadricycle....
offers a "Boss 302" crate engine with displacement between 302 cu in (5 l) to 363 cu in (6 l). Entry level engines feature Ford Racing GT-40X Xtra Performance Turbo Swirl aluminum heads to retain stock exhaust locations and are rated at 340 and 345 hp. Higher performance versions include Ford Racing's Z-head equipped 302 and 347 cu in (5.7 l) engines rated between 360 and 450 hp, depending on configuration. The highest power version is a 331 cu in (5.4 l) rated 500 hp.
The engine went on sale in 2007.
BOSS 302 was unveiled in 2006 SEMA show.
Concept vehicles
In 2006 SEMA, 4 builders used the 302 cu in (5 l) version of BOSS 302 engines:- Dan Web – It was a 1933 Ford 3-window coupe with 390 hp BOSS engine.
- Galpin Ford – It was based on 2007 Ford Mustang featuring a 360 hp BOSS engine.
- Chip FooseChip FooseChip Foose is a hot rod shop owner, automotive designer and fabricator, and former star of the reality TV series Overhaulin on TLC.-Life and career:...
– It was a 1970 Ford Mustang from the show Overhaulin'Overhaulin'Overhaulin' is an American automotive reality TV show that ran for five seasons on TLC between 2004–2009. The show remains available via re-runs and syndication.-Hosts:...
. - Hotrods and Horsepower – It was a commemorative vehicle for the 2006 SEMA show with a 360 hp BOSS engine.