Hey everyone,

I am starting a project to refresh the engine/trans in my truck and am going to document it here and on YouTube. This is for the yellow truck that I did a build thread for starting in 2019. I pulled the truck out of a forest in NH and built it up from there.

It's currently running a stock 302 out of a Grand Marquis that I installed a Holley Sniper setup on a couple months ago. I'm in the process of installing a TCI C4 and I have a 1991 roller 302 short block that I had refreshed at the machine shop. It is still standard bore and standard bearing sizes.

I'm starting with an eagle rotating assembly that will stroke it to a 5.6L 342. People usually work with a .030 block and get 346 cubic inches, and I'm still stock bore so that's why I have the odd final displacement. My previous experience with strokers is the 3 Chevy 383's I've built in the past and I'm excited to see how it goes with the Ford.

Starting Point:

- 1991 crown vic 302 roller short block
- eagle rotating assembly with cast crank, forged I-beam rods, and flat hypereutectic pistons.
- AFR 165 heads - wondering if these are too small but I already have them from another project?
- scorpion 1.6 rockers
- comp cams - XE266HR-12, dur 216/224, adv dur 266/274, lift .544/.555, lobe separation 112. I am not sure this is the right cam for this build, its just one I already have that I didnt use on another project. Would love thoughts on if this is right, given the stroker, automatic, 3.27 rear end, etc.

I'll be asking for advise over the course of the build so your expertise will be much appreciated!

Rick

 

The two engine pics are from a few years ago when I had the block refreshed with stock rotating assembly and the AFR heads.

 

No wear in that stock bore? You don't want a slapper or oil burner.....

 

Nope, the machine shop went through it and the block was really clean. It came out of a wrecked car in 2001 and had less than 40k on it. They measured the cylinders and decided to hone them.

 

Hi Rick,
I am running a 347 stroker with Ford Performance M-6049-X2 heads. The manifold is an Edelbrock RPM Airgap with Holley Sniper. This setup puts out 360hp and 400 lbs of torque.

Link to the heads so you can see the specs.
https://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-per...xoCYaYQAvD_BwE

When I had the stock 302 it never felt like there was enough umph. Now I have enough umph and can spin the tires anytime I want.

 

You might want to check with AFR on your cam selection. I have those heads and if you didn’t upgrade the springs (from AFR) the lift might be too much (I don’t remember the cut off). I went with a comp cam with a grind very similar to a Ford racing E303 cam.
With that cam, you’re going to have to have a higher stall speed (than stock) on your torque converter, so depending on the diameter of your tires, the 3.27 rear gears might be too low (need higher number).

 

Thanks for this! I’ll check in with AFR. The springs I have were meant to be paired with this cam.

my tires are 255 60/15 so I think that’s about 27”.

I have a 2,000 stall converter but I’m thinking a cam change might be in order. If I change out the 3.27 gears for 3.55 or something then I’ll be running too high of rpm at 60mph for my liking. I had an AOD before and didn’t like how it performed so if I end up needing overdrive then I’ll get a 700r4 and a Ford adapter.

 

Changing nothing but diff ratio from 3.27 to 3.55 is only slightly over 200 rpm at 65 mph, barely noticeable.

 

Here’s a RPM calculator. https://purperformance.com/p-29669-rpm-calculator.html

You’re running a much smaller diameter tire (than me) so the 3.27 might work for you. One note, if you get a torque converter from TCI (I did), I’d disregard their description of “pan filled” or “case filled”. Instead, focus on the specs of the flexplate you’re bolting up to, and the size of your torque converter. I got model #451300 for my C4 (302). Also, if you buy directly from TCI, they give veterans a discount (15%) and shipping is free. Also a plug for Ron’s Machine Shop in MI for good prices on related rear end parts (not a relative, just one of their satisfied customers).

 

That is the calculator I used for my comment.

 

True, but I'm already at 2,400 @ 60mph and my target is usually 2,000 so it'll already annoy me. It's a pain to get it just right! I had the AOD with this rear end and was thinking of regearing to 3.73 or something near 4 but just didnt like that transmission, even with a shift kit. When I killed the pump in it I figured a C4 with the existing gears would be ok. Seems like I need to focus my cam selection on lower RPM torque range.

 

My coupe runs @ 2800 @ 70mph ( my usual speed ) and always does 17.5 mpg .

 

It has been a while since I looked at the specs of the E303 cam and I didn’t realize the cam I have is that much more aggressive. I ordered in an E303 as it’s worked for loads of people over the years that are doing builds like mine.

 

FedEx guy had one job…

 

Yep. Sounds about right. Reminds me of the guys delivering the "fragile" leg lamp crate in A Christmas Story, setting it down 'this end up' then pushing it over onto its side, crashing to the floor.