69 vs 87 302
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Joined: Oct 2011
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69 vs 87 302
I have a running 69 302 in my truck and a 87 302 torn apart in my shed I'm rebuilding one and I'm selling one and keeping one to put in another truck thing is I received the 87 torn apart but I know was running at one time. my question is which motor is a better over all motor to build?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
The 302 block was updated to accept the factory roller cam assembly in 1987(E7TE block casting number), not all 302 motors got a roller cam this early but all the blocks are roller ready and that makes this the block to build IMO, there isn't enough difference in block strength to make choosing the older block worthwhile when you're giving up easy access to a massive selection of high performance roller cams.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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A roller cam is good for 30 more horsepower just in reduction of power lost from friction .
You can sell a running motor for 2 or 3 times the price of a basket case .
Personally I prefer the early model heads that used rocker arm studs if you can get the cc's in the right range with the pistons you will be using .
All low end small block heads need exhaust porting .
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
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From: south louisiana
The drawback to the stud heads is they limit your camshaft choices, unless you spend the money to replace the factory pressed in studs with teh screw in type. The pedestal heads do not share this problem and while the hold down bolt is small, they're surprisingly strong, plenty strong enough for mild cams that will work pressed in studs out of the early heads. The E7's have better port profiles than the early heads too.
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