[Mercracer]

[quote=351wStang]If you really want to sav some money keep the 289 and bore it. A 302 is nothing more then a bored 289. then you wouldnt have to worry about getting a flywheel with the same # of teeth and what not. They are making hydro roller cams for them now too. That would give you a little more power and a little better mpg due to less engine drag. . QUOTE]

You can not rebuild a 289 and add a roller cam for what it costs to put a low mileage late model engine in the car, especially an engine with decent heads like the Explorer. It costs a pile of money to get the power out of a factory 289 or even 351W head that the Explorer heads have as delivered on the engines.

Regarding the other posts, there is a big difference in factory late model 302 fuel efficiency vs a factory 289 or early 302 fuel efficiency. Roller cam and low tension rings made a definite difference.
There is no difference in ease of working on the late engines vs the early engines if they both have a carb, except that the late model engines are easier to change the rear main seal as it is one piece and you do not have to drop the pan and putt the rear main cap.