The 302 in my 1978 F100 is tired and leaky. She needs new life. I am wanting something peppy, and I stopped into a machine shop today that will build my engine into a nice little 306 with a mild Torquer cam for $1,400 including the head work. Now, I have owned several high performance vehicles before, but I have never built an engine from the ground up. So I compiled a list of parts and would like to see what you guys think.

So for starters... Basic Ford 306 with a target of 300 HP and a little more torque.

Intake- Weiand Stealth or Street Warrior dual plane.
Carb- Demon Street Demon 625 CFM 4bbl.
Headers- FLowtech long tube, 1.5" with 3" collector (painted)
Distributor- MSD pro billet
Ignition- MSD

QUESTION I HAVE IS ABOUT THE HEADS...

I can get a set of Ford Racing Turbo Swirl aluminum heads. Should I go for it to meet my needs? Has the list I have out together sound like a working recipe? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Since you are starting with the lo-po model, I think you need heads to make 300 hp. The stockers have big chambers leading to low compression. The stock cam is weak as well.

Lots of 302 builds here, as well as head tips like Explorer heads if you don't want to go aftermarket.

You might go blind looking at this, but it tells the tale:

Ford Mustang: Mustang Tech: Engine: Ford Head Information Center

 

Thanks for the link.

 

I owned a 1993 Cobra which was fuel injected but did have the FMS aluminum heads your thinking of using. Using only under drive pulleys, headers, a bigger MASS AIR meter but using the stock Cobra cam with stock 1.7RR's that engine made 275 HP at the wheels. That's about 325 at the flywheel!

You combination you plan on will make over 300 HP but it's all in the cam you decide to use. Don't go to big on lift or duration or you'll lose torque. Keep it under .500 total lift at the valve. Those heads flow well but have a limit that it you try to go past on valve lift you won't gain anything. They are good street heads though.

 

How much do they want for the heads?

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$550, but they do not come with rockers.

 

Good to know. Thanks.

 

Budget 300HP 302 Build

 

.
. Power increase is in the heads, pistons, cam... the KB pistons usually have a good, high compression height... general 'rebuilder' pistons usually drop the pistons down lower in the bores with a loss of compression ratio and 'engine quench'...

. Could also consider dropping a 347" kit into it... for 351" type power...

ENGINEKITS.COM® - OE Stock and High Performance Engine Parts 661-861-0167

. These trucks also came with a 400" which is discussed extensively down in the '335' engines forum... (along with similar 351M and 351C)
.

 

GM4, have you been able to make any progress with this? What did you decide on the heads?

 

I have not. The stock heads do not seem to be adequate, and the aluminum heads I was offered have been sold. So I am going to hunt the junk yards for some GT40 heads or the ones mentioned in the 300hp build linked above.

Do you have any other suggestions?

 

I would fine a set of Trick flow heads on corral or another national board

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I have been looking.

 

Patience will pay off. I don't see any point in doing anything with iron heads after having this set of beer cans on my sbf

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Thanks for the input.