My name is Lance Hogan and I primarily hang out in the FTE forums 41 (1949-1956 F100) and 51 (FE engines) as I have a 1955 F100 (390;C6). I am writing for suggestions with a 302 engine that I would like to rebuild for my father’s 1932 Ford 3 window coupe (fiberglass).
<O</O
We have a 1996 Ford Explorer 302 (GT40 heads) that has 90,XXX miles on it (salvage yard motor) that we plan to use in the coupe (AOD transmission). This winter we would like to pull the motor apart to check bearings, cylinder wear, etc… Further, we would like install a new timing chain (sealed power, cloyes,??), oil pump (standard or high volume??), and upgrade the cam with matching springs.
<O</O
I have searched the web and have found several people suggested using Trick Flow’s Stage 2 cam or Ford Motorsports B or E303 cam for 302 motors, but I am coming to you for suggestions for a new timing chain, oil pump, distributor, and cam selection. We also plan on removing the EFI and switching to carb (I will need a new timing chain cover) and plan on using Edelbrock Performer RPM intake as well as an Edelbrock carb (500 cfm).
<O</O
The coupe will be used for pleasure cruising, but my dad wants a real nice (rough) idle that all of us hot rodders enjoy. We will be using a 30 inch tire on back and 3:50 gears in the 9 inch. Any suggestions or recommendations would be much appreciated.
<O</O
<O</O
Respectfully,<O</O
<O</O
Lance<O</O

 

My suggestions would be a Cloyes double roller, a standard vol oil pump assuming the bearings are within spec(if they're not do a complete rebuild don't just install new bearings and a hi-vol pump), and the B303 cam. For the distributor a late model Duraspark would do the trick along with an MSD box if you want some rev limiting, the distributor itself doesn't need to be hi-tech just needs to provide a reliable timing source.

 

I would second Conan's suggestions and add that you generally need a converter with a B cam.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Coyles True Roller timing chain it is as well as a standard volume oil pump (melling). Should I get the 2 piece or 1 piece ecentric unit?

B303 sounds good. If it has a nice lope and good performance, it will do. To lower the power band of the cam, should I advance the cam 4 degrees?

How much stall should be used: 2500, 3000 (TCI Steetfighter)?

Thanks again for the information.

Lance

 

IF you want the lope from that cam I would have it degreed it straight up. How aggressive of a take off do you want? With the light weight of that vehicle I would say 2000-2500 would be all that is needed to overcome the loss of low end torque of that cam.

 

Is there a torque covertor that you would recommend? (TCI, B&M, etc..). I am currently using a TCI in my 1955 F100 and have been happy, but am open.

 

Well I'm not really into automatics but for my daughters 95 GT we put a PA AODE in it with a small TCI converter and that is a very nice set up for that car. We selected a lockup converter that is one step above stock, but I can't remember it's name. For you I would suggest 2 steps above stock.

 

Why not choose a cam more carefully? Is there a reason for using a Ford camshaft? I used to have an x cam in a 98 mountaineer, and can say it could have been better for all the hype.

 

The lockup is very important for keeping trans temps down with a stall converter. Id also put a larger trans cooler with a fan into the plans.

 

A few thoughts: the Explorer cam works great with a carb, just lacks the lopey sound you're after. It's slightly less cam than the HO roller on the intake side. The B303? I'd add a set of full roller 1.7 pedestal rockers to up the lift to .510. Not much converter needed with this cam, I'd try it with the stock converter first before spending the extra money. I would also suggest removing the Thermactor bumps from the exhaust port roofs, this takes all of a hour's (maybe) work with a porting bit. That motor may already have a double row roller chain timing set, but if you really want to change it the O.E. replacement (double row roller)can be had for $25 from the local parts house. The timing cover can stay, if you use an electric fuel pump (Mr Gasket 12S is plenty of flow and very reliable) The distributor will need a steel cam gear to match the roller cam.

 

I'm not a fan of high stall converters in street applications and trucks in particular, they greatly increase trans temps and that is very hard on the trans. One of the regulars on the '87-96 forum has a 347/AOD combo in his reg cab 1/2 ton 4x4 with a 3000rpm stall converter and is on his 3rd built transmission, yes he is hard on it but this just goes to show the type of additional loads a high stall puts on the other trans parts, the transmissions he is destroying would have no problem handling a 400hp mustang at the dragstrip.

 

Thanks for all the responses!

Baddad457- my father loves the sound of my 390FE and would like his 302 to have that nice lopy idle (very difficult to replicate the sound of an FE engine IMO). It sounds like the stock cam would work well, but will not make the cut because it doesn't have the lopey idle. I believe the stock rockers are 1.6. Would the 1.7 make that much of a difference (this is not going to be raced, just a cruiser).

I agree that high stall converters are hard on transmissions. Would it be possible to run a stock converter with the B303?

Thanks again for all the help.

 

I am glad you are using a ford motor for your 32 !

A B303 has 224* duration at .050 .

 

The stock converter should be fine with the B303. I'm running a Z303 in a 331 in my 77 Comet with a less than 2000 stall (3.50 rear. 26.5 tires) and it's fine with it. Your combo with a B303 should do well for a street cruiser. The 1.7's will increase the lift from .480 to .510. Sorta like cheap HP. A good set of used Cobra roller rockers can be had for $100 and will net you a 15 hp gain, from the increased lift, the lost friction in the fulcrum and the stabilized ratios. After runnin roller rockers, I'd never build another motor without em.

 

Baddad457,

This might be a dumb question, but couldn't I just order a cam similar to the B303 with .510 lift and save the $100 bucks on the 1.7 roller rockers?