Hello there everybody, I am currently in the process of building a 302 to put in my 60’s f100 it is a 1993 from a truck, and there are just a couple things I don’t know about, relatively new to the game but very passionate and eager to learn.
I was wondering if anyone knew what type of cam is in it, I see that after 1985 it might have a roller? Otherwise what else would it have? I have headers and a Holley sniper efi kit with an edelbrock torker intake and I plan to get a set of flo tek aluminum heads, I also am unsure of what transmission to run I currently have a zf5 from I can’t remember what but I’ve been thinking about selling it and going for an old top loader (no use or love for the granny low, hoping for more of a hot rod), aiming for a fun torquey, slightly efficient low horse engine that could maybe rev to about 6500, please ask any questions and give any insight, thanks in advance fellas 🙏

 

Mostly looking for insight on build directions, how easy it would be to run each transmission, what each of you would do ect…

 

I moved you here as your questions are specific to the SBF.

There are a number of 302 build threads here.

The forumula for these is well known, and it looks like you are on the right path.

As to the toploader 4 speed--that's going to be expensive and limiting for truck use.

I built a 289 with what you have in mind--kind of a bust. Never got great mileage, power was just OK. It did rev pretty good--how it stayed together is a mystery to me.

You can make it turn 6500 but if you are looking for low end power and gas mileage, and low HP, you don't need or want 6500 RPM.

 

Ok good to know, yeah I’m mostly looking for torque and efficiency, and what would be the reason not to go for the toploader?

 

First is a little high for a small engine in a truck, and no OD if you have short gearing.

What is your axle ratio?

Plus, the days of finding a $500 toploader in the junkyard are over.

This guy used to sell them, but only does a reman on your transmission now:
https://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/remanufactured.htm

Anyway, they were over $1000, probably over $1500.

What transmission is in your truck now?

 

I believer my gears are 3.73’s? If I’m remembering right, and also I’m running 31’s and I have a line on a 400$ toploader

 

That’s mostly why I’m considering it, as I’ve said I have a zf5 I originally planned to use but I really dislike granny gears and there is an np435 in there right now also the toploader is wide ratio and I’d be willing to change my rear gears

 

Need casting numbers from the heads and block.

A '93 truck motor should have a factory roller cam but the cam itself it junk in terms of performance... though it's a good core to be reground so don't throw it away just yet.
The heads should be E6TE or E6SE... these you should throw away as they were easily the worst SBF head ever made.
The bottom end should have flat top cast pistons, if you buy a set of aftermarket heads with bigger valves and go with an agressive cam the pistons will have to upgraded to something with valve reliefs.
The ZF5 trans is very robust but it's a lousy performance gearbox with the granny low 1st, but the small block version(belhousing is integrated so there are small block, big block, and diesel versions) is highly saught after and can draw big bucks on the used market from people building offroad rigs or maintaining work vehicles.

 

Ok good to know about the pistons, thank you and I’m most likely not going to be going too wild on the cam but I will be getting some new heads as I have also read that these are horrible and don’t flow at all, that’s also what I thought about the transmission, I was thinking I may even save money by going for the toploader (or some other transmission) and selling the big ZF as I am hoping for a nice shifting gutsy transmission, also wondering if the 2nd gear is perhaps comparable to the 1st in the toploader or any knowledge there about ratio wise

 

Check this thread... ZF 5-spd gear ratios - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums (ford-trucks.com)

 

Buy the toploader for 400 and sell it for a thousand
Use that money as down payment for a ZF 5 speed

 

Beware when dealing with the toploader. There are late '70s to mid '80s versions that are overdrive transmissions. 2nd to 3rd is a big gap, 4th is OD.

 

Thanks guys appreciate the advice and input, I’ve yet to get a more in depth specs on the the toploader but it looks like it’s a wide ratio out of an early falcon so I’d assume it’s small block and I’m fairly certain it’s firm the 60’s or early 70’s so no overdrive,

 

I already have the ZF 5 speed, but you would recommend that I run that then? And not the toploader?

 

Well, it sure would be nice to have 5th gear
You are sure right about the granny 1st
That said
I have 2 Toploaders and love them
Just picked up a RUG AU from a 70 429 big block car for another project
There is a guy David Kee who puts out a Toploader ID chart and he sells parts and transmissions
Here is a sample
Just thinking about Toploaders makes me want to go drive my Mustang