73 302 2B
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
73 302 2B
I want a little more torque, thinking on a cam, may swap up to a 4 barrel but the 2 is runnin fine, it's in a van. I was thinking maybe I'd be better off getting the heads that are on it rebuilt rather than swapping, or is it worth it to upgrade. I have a friend with an injected 86 5.0 from one of his van's, it needs a rebuild, should I get that and rebuild it for my van, doubt I can fit injection in the old doghouse, but would the engine be better? I've not got unlimited funds, I have to pay as I go, I plan to do this one time, has to be right for my needs, I want low end power for mileage, city driving most of the time.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
Well that 86 will have a roller block, although it'll have a flat tappet cam in it. The heads are better than the 73's. You can always swap the carb manifold onto it too. But I'd replace the flat tappet cam with an RV grind roller cam, or an F4TE roller from a 94-97 pickup or van, this cam was also used in the 96-2001 Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0, it'll make it a far smoother runner and give it more power & torque overall than your 73 motor. May even improve the mileage in that van, and I know that is something sorely needed in those old E series vans (had one in high school)
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
Are you sure it'll accept a roller cam, I wouldn't mind that, it reduced some drag, I thought the 73 heads had a smaller combustion chamber tho. If I could get the intake to fit, I'd love fuel injection in it, swap in a MAF and custom burn, I want mileage and power, hoping the gearing is 4.10, great for city driving. Now an injected cam is different than the carb version, so I gotta see which I'm going in with.
I would love a FI 4.9 but don't have one and just not interested in all the extra stuff needed to swap over to it, the torque from it is beyond the grip of a 302.
I bought an HEI distributor, am waiting to get my van back to install it, see what kind of improvement and power over the old points type in it, get dual exhaust on it too, has restrictive 2 1/4" single pipe on it now.
I would love a FI 4.9 but don't have one and just not interested in all the extra stuff needed to swap over to it, the torque from it is beyond the grip of a 302.
I bought an HEI distributor, am waiting to get my van back to install it, see what kind of improvement and power over the old points type in it, get dual exhaust on it too, has restrictive 2 1/4" single pipe on it now.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
All the 302 blocks from 1986 til the end were roller blocks. I have run across one though that had partially formed lifter valley spyder bolt bosses that were too small to be drilled and tapped for the 1/4" hold down bolts. It was given a flat tappet cam at the factory. As far as differences in EFI vs carb cams ? The EFI cams work great with a carb, actually better than the carb cams did. Especially in the lower rpms.
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Lead Driver
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From: Maryville
I saw quite a few nice ones on Summit, I would really love a set of heads, a matched top end kit would be great but I could get a complete rebuild including machine work for what that cost. Yeah, I want a low cam, gas prices will never go down, no way I want a high rev engine again, my 5.4 is killing me now 9-10 MPG high test, been tuned and opened up on the exhaust and intake.
Would I be better with a 4 barrel, I like the simple Motorcraft 2 barrel, I know they go all the way to 500 CFM? I cruise around but still suffer the urge to get on one every once and a while, Edelbrock had a nice 2 barrel intake once.
Would I be better with a 4 barrel, I like the simple Motorcraft 2 barrel, I know they go all the way to 500 CFM? I cruise around but still suffer the urge to get on one every once and a while, Edelbrock had a nice 2 barrel intake once.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
You absolutely don't need heads for what you're doing. If your heads have the Thermactor bumps inside the ports, then use a good carbide bit and a drill and remove em, that's the only mod you need done to the stock heads for your purposes. You might also want to keep the 2 bbl stock intake, the Edelbrock would be a waste of cash. If you want an aluminum intake, look for an early 80's 2 bbl from a 302. I'm no fan of the Autolite carbs, I never had much luck with em. I'd use a Holley 350 cfm 2 bbl.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
So which is it, the 73 heads, or stock 86, I may smooth the ports with a grinder either way, just to make a better flow, not certain on intake and carb combos yet.
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Elder User
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From: Chicago area
If fuel economy is your goal then any of the roller cams that came in the 5.0 HO's out of a Mustang will do you fine. The late Explorer V8s got good cams as well but the Mustang cam can be had for almost nothing. Many guys over the years have removed them to install higher lift cams in their cars so they have the stock cam sitting on a shelf gathering dust & rust.
I picked up a stock 5.0 HO cam and a '93 Cobra cam for $50 shipped to my door.
I picked up a stock 5.0 HO cam and a '93 Cobra cam for $50 shipped to my door.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
I need low end torque for towing tho, not gonna be using a factory cam, once my van project is done, I have to look into turning an enclosed trailer into a camper, or I'd not worry about building another engine for it.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
For bottom end torque, you can't beat the factory F4TE roller cam. This is basically an RV cam, but from Ford. The specs are .422/.445 lift 256/266* advertised duration 116* LSA. Run it with 1.7 rockers and the lifts go to .445/.473
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Get that compression ratio out of the 8's , either with smaller cc heads or flat top pistons . Low compression is the #1 power killer in my book .
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
Nigh compression requires high test gas, where I'm at now with the 70's engine, that and the lead required to cool and lube the valves, I've not experienced pre-detonation yet, but the timing is set high.
So which cam is that, the Mustang or Exploder 5.0?
So which cam is that, the Mustang or Exploder 5.0?
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10:1 would do you in but 9.0:1 to 9.25:1 would help a lot .
Dynamic compression can fool you since the valve opening and closings are not calculated . Static compression is your actual running compression .
7.5 to 8.5 to 1 static works on pump gas .
Some times you have options and some times you don't . If you don't have to go into the bottom end it is best to let sleeping dogs lie . ($$$)
Dynamic compression can fool you since the valve opening and closings are not calculated . Static compression is your actual running compression .
7.5 to 8.5 to 1 static works on pump gas .
Some times you have options and some times you don't . If you don't have to go into the bottom end it is best to let sleeping dogs lie . ($$$)
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
Yeah, weighing the options as I'll be looking to rebuild the 86 FI block and heads maybe, unless I pony the dough up for a reman, machine work is costly, I do and don't want one bored out, don't have unlimited funds, I have to save from my small income. For budget, what year had a 4 barrel intake and carb, pref an aluminum intake, early 80's Mustang?
I'll be driving as is other than small upgrades as I go into another engine to swap in, not rebuilding the one in it, runs great, no smoking right now, got an HEI for it.
I'll be driving as is other than small upgrades as I go into another engine to swap in, not rebuilding the one in it, runs great, no smoking right now, got an HEI for it.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Yeah, weighing the options as I'll be looking to rebuild the 86 FI block and heads maybe, unless I pony the dough up for a reman, machine work is costly, I do and don't want one bored out, don't have unlimited funds, I have to save from my small income. For budget, what year had a 4 barrel intake and carb, pref an aluminum intake, early 80's Mustang?
I'll be driving as is other than small upgrades as I go into another engine to swap in, not rebuilding the one in it, runs great, no smoking right now, got an HEI for it.
I'll be driving as is other than small upgrades as I go into another engine to swap in, not rebuilding the one in it, runs great, no smoking right now, got an HEI for it.