i have a 1982 f100 with a 302 that i really dont know what it came out of but i think its from a mustang, i put all new valves, pushrods, timing set, head gaskets... etc, for the 302 thats supposed to be in the truck and it all fit perfect, i think its out of a mustang because it had a double roller timing set, mustang valve covers, and air cleaner assy...... and it has the 351 firing order. Anyways i want to get a new cam, for it and i dont know if it will fit because i dont know what engine to tell them, or are all 302s the same? i want to get a little bit higher lifting cam.

 

You can use either a standard 302 camshaft (firing order 1,5,4,2,6,3,7,8) or the 5.0/302 HO/351W camshaft (firing order 1,3,7,2,6,5,4,8). You just have to change the firing order on the distributor to make either work.

I like the HO/351W firing order...Crower is the brand I use.

Just make sure it isn't a newer roller 302 block, then you must use the 5.0 roller cams with the HO/351W firing order.

Kenny

 

The Roller cam was introduced in MID 1985 (85 1/2) in the Mustang 5.0 5-spd as well as in the Lincolns LSC MKVll. Mustang 5.0's with Automatics did not get the roller block.

It's important to note that not all 5.0 engines were fitted with, or could be fitted with the factory roller cam.

Ford produced 2 different/distinct blocks for a number of years. The roller cam block which had taller lifter bosses and the non-roller block with it's standard lifter boss height.

-Most 5.0s (starting in 85 1/2) were not roller equipped and could not be retrofitted with the roller equipment as they were not cast with the taller lifter boss.

It wasn't until some time later that Ford saw no need to cast 2 (almost) identical blocks and the switch to the tall liffter/boss block was made irregardless of whether a roller cam was installed or not.
And in regular car/pickup production, the norm was -no roller cam-.

The bottom line is, There are many more non roller blocks out there then those that are equpped with the roller gear.
There are many early 5.0 blocks (trucks/vans and regular production cars) that do not have the taller lifter boss and there is no provision for the tall roller lifters to be run in them.

Trying to install factory roller equipment in a non roller block will result in broken parts.

Look for the correct tall lifter block, don't settle for a run of the mill early truck or production car block.

Look for an engine from a Lincoln LSC MKVll or Mustang from 85 1/2 and up if you want to find the roller equipment under the hood.
When utilizing the roller camshaft is is necessary to use a cast or bronze gear on your distributor or you risk the chance of wearing the (hardened) cams drive gear and that means cam replacement.

The water pumps direction is reversed with the start of use in serpentine belts. If your engine has serpentine belts, you cannot just press a v belt pulley on and get away with it.

When Ford introduced the EEC- ignition, the distributer was updated to accept the EEC connector. A pre EEC roller compatible distributer is/was available from Ford Motorsport (for use with Duraspark ignition) or just order the bronze distributor gear thru Motorsport and press it onto your early points or Duraspark distributor.

A 28 oz imbalance flywheel was the norm for 302's up until the firing order was changed to the HO Firing Order and the 50 oz imbalance is required thereafter.