I have aquired a marine 302 block. I plan on using this as the platform for my next motor. My 78 f250 4x4 has a great rebuilt 302 in it now, but i want to play a little. I figure if I have another engine built already, I can swap them quickly. The current engine only has about 20,000 miles, and an aftermarket cam. It cranks out about 325 ponies, but I want more!! I plan on building the marine block up to about 500HP, and making it a 408 windsor stroker. So my questions are: I've heard marine blocks are stronger and thicker, is this true? Will the transmission bolt up to the marine block? I also heard that the water jackets scale up inside from the salt water passing through them, is this a hard to fix problem? My buddy told me to be sure and buy a normal type automotive camshaft because the cam turns backwards in a marine set-up, thus not allowing my distributer to work. Making it a 408 windsor stroker, anyone done that yet? If
so, what crank,rods,heads, etc does it use? A buddy of mine had one and I loved it, so now I'm determined to build me one.






"Don't Laugh At This Truck Mister, Your Daughter Might Be In Here!!"
'78 F250 4x4/302/NP435/NP205
lifted/"35 mudders
'78 F100 2wd/360/C-6/"9 inch
4bbl int+carb

 

You are asking alot for a 302 to put out 500 HP and survive. Starting with a 351W would be easier and the engine would at least have a fighting chance. I have seen stroker kits for 351W that makes them 427 CID. Not sure on HP figures, but a 351W's taller deck, extra 1/2" original factory stroke, and larger diameter crankshaft journals makes the job just that much easier and dependable.

 

Georgia,
I've built a few 302s in my day. To build a 500HP your talking about a 1/4 mile machine that sustains 500 HP for 5 to 8 seconds. Let's be realistic, you're gonne get about 400HP streetable and you can gas it for the additional 100 HP boost for show. Go with 10:1 flat top forged with a set of explorer GT40 heads. Oversize your valves and customize the valve train and you'll have your start. I love carbs but, your gonna need a supercharger with some gas for this trick.
Displacement is going to cause you heart ache. If you want displacement start someplace else. Boring a 302 .060 over only gives about 312 CID and that doesn't guarantee any HP.
Solid cam, all the way.
What kind of tranny? Small block C6 with about a 2400 holeshot stall converter and shift kit oght to do the trick. Good Luck finding one.
KingFisher

 

Shows my ignorance, I've seen stoker kits to get 347cid out of a 302, but not 408. Does that use a 5.0 block or a 351/5.8 block? The 427 option out of a 351 is a nice option, just use a stud girdle. I think Ford is selling 392 crate motors now that use the 5.8 block.

Times have changed,

Reggie

 

I am thinking about travelling the same road as you. Having a spare engine will allow me to work and customize as I desire (and can afford). I have a 351m in my 79 f150 and am looking at 460's. There are quite a few 460's in my local junk yards and many in good shape selling on ebay for $400. 460 is definetly a workable engine and you would have a much easier time getting 400-500 hp out of it. Good Luck.

 

The biggest I'm aware of that you can get out of a 302 block is a 347 stroker + whatever extra you get from boring (maybe 10more cubes w/ the stroker and .60 over I'm guessing off the top of my head). Those pistons are mighty thin at that. I'm thinkin you are confusing a 351W block w/ a 302 block. A 351W has an inch more deck height than a 302 and have stroker kits availible up to 427. Ford Performance Racing sells a Crate motor based on the 351W block that is a 392. I think if you want more power it be more cost effective to build a higher displacement motor, most logically a 460. If ya gotta keep your existing tranny, then something based on the 351W block.

BBT

 

Yall completely missed my question... Is a marine block better than a stock block???? I'd like to know advantages/disadvantages of a marine block. It's a completely bare block, so I'll make it whatever I decide is fit, but that wasnt my question....

"Don't Laugh At This Truck Mister, Your Daughter Might Be In Here!!"
'78 F250 4x4/302/NP435/NP205
lifted/"35 mudders
'78 F100 2wd/360/C-6/"9 inch
4bbl int+carb

 

Georgia don't be afraid to throw a "please" or "thank you" in a question you will get much better results. And remember the advise here is free and people are just trying to help you.

 

>Yall completely missed my question... Is a marine block
>better than a stock block???? I'd like to know
>advantages/disadvantages of a marine block. It's a
>completely bare block, so I'll make it whatever I decide is
>fit, but that wasnt my question....

You might want to ask this question over in the small block forum. They may be more familiar with marine blocks there.

 

sorry guys, didnt mean to come off sounding rude. Thanks for help



"Don't Laugh At This Truck Mister, Your Daughter Might Be In Here!!"
'78 F250 4x4/302/NP435/NP205
lifted/"35 mudders
'78 F100 2wd/360/C-6/"9 inch
4bbl int+carb

 

several points on marine engines: 1) Generally they used the best parts available because of extended higher rpm usage seen in marine applications( boats often operate continuously at 4300-4800 rpm while an automotive engine usually is set up for a 1800-2300 cruise rpm) not sure if the blocks themselves are different or not, you might check your casting #'s and compare it to an automotive block. 2) Not all marine engines are built with reverse rotation, some are set up as standard rotation when used in dual engine boats to offset the torque of the sister engine. 3)Having this block vatted should clean up any scaling in the water jackets. Hope this helps! Trey/ aka SuperBronco

 

 

Can you provide some detail photos of your marine block for audience viewing.
Maybe casting numbers, front, rear, sides, top & bottom.
Anything would be helpful to aid in viewers responses to your questions.
Best of luck.

 

Are you aware that you are responding to an almost 16 year old thread?

The OP typed exactly two posts on 11/30/2001 and has never posted again.

Plus, one of the 'chimer-inners' passed away a year ago.