[Rory McNeil]

The 1982 5.0 Mustang and Capris were equipped with the "High Output" 302 2 barrel engine, which had a bigger cam and 2 barrel carb than the 1979 Mustang 5.0 & Capri,the 79 could be automatic or 4 speed (3 speed with OD, actually), but the 82 was 4 speed only. In 1980 & 81, there was no 5.0/302 Mustang/Capri, the only V8 was a 255 cube turd, rated at 115HP, I recall. Although the 82 5.0L HO was indeed a 2 barrel, 83 & 84 came with a Holley/Motorcraft 4180 4 barrel carb, and were also stick only. Early 83s retained the same SROD 4 speed as in 82, part way thru the 83 model year, the T5 5 speed was introduced, and 84s used the same engine and 5 speed. 85 reatined the same style Holley/Motorcraft 4180, but introduced the hyd. roller camshaft, and also factory shorty style tube headers. The 82 5.0 2 barrel HO was factory rated at 157 HP, the 83&84 4 barrel was 175HP, and the 85 at 210HP.

Ford did offer a 5.0 engine with an automatic transmission in Mustang and Capri in 83,4 &5, BUT rather than the 4 barrel carb HO engine, the automatic combo used a CFI throttle body fuel injection and hyd. flat tappet cam.
The first 5.0 HO engine available with an automatic came in 1986 Mustang and Capris, which were the first of the Multi point EFIs used in the Mustang. 86 was also the last year of the Mercury Capri FOX body.