Broken main cap.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2018
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Broken main cap.
Ladies and Gents, upon tear down of my bottom end on a 1980 302, I managed to drop one of my main caps and it broke into two pieces.
Thiughts on the replacement? Went to local Summit store, they only supplied caps for the 351w. Found a few new and used caps on eBay that claim to be for a SbF 289 or 302, but I want to be sure of fitment before tossing money at a very specific part. It’s a standard two bolt cap if that helps any.
Thiughts on the replacement? Went to local Summit store, they only supplied caps for the 351w. Found a few new and used caps on eBay that claim to be for a SbF 289 or 302, but I want to be sure of fitment before tossing money at a very specific part. It’s a standard two bolt cap if that helps any.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
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From: south louisiana
You've got an E0AE block. Junk the whole thing and get something better, like a late 80's to 90's roller 5.0. The 1980-85 302 blocks are the true lighteweigts in the 302 family, Ford removed 16 lbs of iron from these blocks in 1980. You can't just bolt another cap on, it won't line up to the block. To fit another cap you have to line bore the cap bolted to the block. Not worth it for a lightweight 1980 block. Not worth it for most run of the mill 302 blocks.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2018
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Well aware of the limitations behind a E0AE block. Keep my eyes open for that roller block that you speak of every day. But! Reality is! This is my first rebuild, I know the block is trash, gotta have something to practice on, and would like to see if this thing can still move after I put it all back together.
My my question wasn’t about it being the best thing, more so, can it be done, and how.
My my question wasn’t about it being the best thing, more so, can it be done, and how.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2017
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Unfortunately as Baddad457 said, anytime you change out or replace main caps you need to align bore. If you have your heart set on trying to just swap in a new cap (highly not recommended because it will fail), your best bet would be a junkyard.
Do yourself a favor and start with a better block, check CL or local yards, they can be had for a few bills. Good luck.
Do yourself a favor and start with a better block, check CL or local yards, they can be had for a few bills. Good luck.
Last edited by Rsmach1; Jun 18, 2018 at 12:52 AM. Reason: Correction
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,298
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From: South central, Minnesota
Changing any main cap requires line honing. Without the line honing, if you are unlucky it will just destroy the bearings and eat itself. If you are lucky the engine will just lock up, when you torque the main cap on, before you even get it running so it won't destroy the rest of the engine. And for the cost of machine work you are better off finding a different/better engine. Just count this as a learning experience, dropping parts can cost money.
Just go to the junk yard and find a V8 5.0L Explorer (96-2000 or whatever the last year of the older body style is ) . I can find them for $100-$150 for core and $350 or less for a runner. And the plus side is you get much better set of heads (GT40/GT40P ) then your 80 would have too. Unless you are buying aftermarket heads.
Just go to the junk yard and find a V8 5.0L Explorer (96-2000 or whatever the last year of the older body style is ) . I can find them for $100-$150 for core and $350 or less for a runner. And the plus side is you get much better set of heads (GT40/GT40P ) then your 80 would have too. Unless you are buying aftermarket heads.
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