The Best Small Block
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
It sounds like he's just simply a diehard 302 fan....which is great...I can't knock that at all...but you can't ignore the 351.
Also, considering the fact that the 351 shares most of the same parts with a 302, it's almost as cheap to build a 351 as a 302. The cost difference isn't very much at all. Heck, my 393 has 302 pistons in it.
Also, considering the fact that the 351 shares most of the same parts with a 302, it's almost as cheap to build a 351 as a 302. The cost difference isn't very much at all. Heck, my 393 has 302 pistons in it.
Last edited by MustangGT221; Jul 29, 2005 at 09:26 AM.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 0
I know nothing about the small block.
I know with the FE motor that you can swap cranks from a 360 to a 390 to a 428.
Can you swap a them in the 302 to 351 or anything like that.
What parts are interchangeable?
-Brandon-
I know with the FE motor that you can swap cranks from a 360 to a 390 to a 428.
Can you swap a them in the 302 to 351 or anything like that.
What parts are interchangeable?
-Brandon-
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
the pistons, heads are interchangeable. so is the timing cover and cam as well. starter oilpump. if its a pre 80's engines the flywheel/balancer can also be swapped but not after 80 they changed weights
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Even little stuff like the timing pointer and most of the bolts, the accessories (serpentine) on my system just swapped right over (used longer belt thou). The water pump is also interchangeable (uses same timing cover like Kemicalburns said). Sometimes you can use 302 headers on a 351 but depends on the area around the engine. The heads are the same so the 302/351 headers will bolt to the head, but the collector position is different. Sometimes it doesn't matter depending on the vehicle.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,436
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From: Montana
I've built an 88 Bronco with a lift kit and 38's that would nearly leap off the ground, it had so much torque.
Put that in a full size bronco and then well see how far it jumps off the ground...
You dont need to spin up your motor faster in a truck anyway...You need torque to get you moving and unless your racing high revs are not worth much. both motors are great but the 351 is better for truck duty. Anybody can build a 302, theres thousands of proven cookie cutter designs out there.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Ok so lets get back to the original questions...
It's best to do a 351, you're going to get way more power out of a 351 than 302. So,now it's time to decide what your goal of the engine is...what kind of power do you want from it? How much are you looking to spend? Is this a show truck or just weekend project?.....etc etc....it's time to decide what you want from the motor so then you can start building towards that goal.
It's best to do a 351, you're going to get way more power out of a 351 than 302. So,now it's time to decide what your goal of the engine is...what kind of power do you want from it? How much are you looking to spend? Is this a show truck or just weekend project?.....etc etc....it's time to decide what you want from the motor so then you can start building towards that goal.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
what was your buddy driven. a 76 tells us nothing. plus there are many things to also concider like gears, driving conditions. what the chevy's were .
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 0
Don't know much about details of his truck, and he sold the truck. But from what I can remember he had some racing guy mechanic do all the work, The truck was red and white with the chrome moldings, he had a taller and wider tire on the rear, he was running a HI riser intake, High compression pistons, The highest cam for hydralic lifters, roller rockers, 750 cfm double pumper, racing clutch assembly, the gears were a ford 9" factory from the truck, 302 boss heads and I don't know what else he had in there. It would burn out the tires in every gear.
I remember him racing anything and everything, sometimes for beer and sometimes for money. He smoke chevy's camaros, firebirds, corvettes, mustangs,That Ford truck 302 was wicked fast. He always had plenty of beer and money on weekends. That's all I know.
I remember him racing anything and everything, sometimes for beer and sometimes for money. He smoke chevy's camaros, firebirds, corvettes, mustangs,That Ford truck 302 was wicked fast. He always had plenty of beer and money on weekends. That's all I know.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
It's not difficult to get good power out of a 302 guys....we're not saying you can't....what we are saying....is that the 351 is a better platform to build off of and make great power. The block is stronger, so it'll withstand a lot more stress, and it the stroke is longer so it'll put out more torque, a lot more when you stroke it.
Many mustang guys switch to 351s for this reason. You can build a 351 out to a 427, thats a torque monster. The little 302 has it's limits.
Many mustang guys switch to 351s for this reason. You can build a 351 out to a 427, thats a torque monster. The little 302 has it's limits.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,248
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Originally Posted by MustangGT221
The block is stronger, so it'll withstand a lot more stress, and it the stroke is longer so it'll put out more torque, a lot more when you stroke it.
Many mustang guys switch to 351s for this reason. You can build a 351 out to a 427, thats a torque monster. The little 302 has it's limits.
Many mustang guys switch to 351s for this reason. You can build a 351 out to a 427, thats a torque monster. The little 302 has it's limits.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Horsepower isn't the only factor, the 302 can make great horsepower, but is short on torque. Ford's 350 hp 302 crate motor only has 310 ft-lbs of torque. Thats 140hp over stock but only 40 ft-lbs over stock.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 232
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My Mustang, and my 71 F-100 are both 302ci powered, and I love the motor to death. I think the 302, and the Chevy 350 will go down as the all around best two push rod motors ever built. The problem with the 302 is the fact that once you start getting closer to 500hp, the stock block can't take the power (it cracks). For that reason, the 351 platform could be a better starting point. You can get power out of both motors. If your worried about torque with the 302, go EFI with a roots type blower. With the right set-up, you'll be hitting 300+ ft lbs at around 2,400 RPM, and can get well over 400. If your wanting to basically build a motor from carb to pan, and not do any forced induction, or giggly juice, the 351 will have more output mod for mod, after all it is 49ci bigger.
Brandon
Brandon
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Ya but you could build a heck of a 351 for the money it would cost you to build a 302/supercharged combo. The supercharger alone is 2500-3500+ to properly install. That again makes the 351 a better option...
I went through the 302/351 deal already...i wound up with a 393
I went through the 302/351 deal already...i wound up with a 393