I'm about to aquire a 82 f150, 302, auto (NON aod), 4wd, and 140k miles... Its my grampas, and Ive driven it everywhere during hunting season. Its a good truck for what I want, except its an auto. I'm not sure if its an open differential, or LSD, but its kinda doggy, and cant burn out. I know its stupid sounding, but thats kind of importaint to me being 16 in a few days. I've been wanting a 4BBL carb/intake for it, but I found the performer package, and I think its what im looking for.

Jegs part number 350-2121PK

Questions are this... Is this a good kit?
Is it fairly easy to do for somebody whos never torn into an engine before? My uncle can guide me through it, but his knee wont let him work on it for any lenght of time.
Will this give me more power, without absolutly killing the allready crappy MPG?

What else would I need for the kit? What gaskets and other things? I'm assuming it has an intake, 4bbl carb, and a camshaft, but its not very specific.

What other things do i need to do, other then just putting the parts in?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm not even 16 yet, and I dont have a dad to help me with it... My uncles done it before (8 years or so ago), but he can only sit next to me and tell me what to do...


Thanks alot, I REALLY appreciate it

*EDIT*forgot to mention that before my father passed away, it got headers, dual exhaust, and mabey got the heads rebuilt? (but defenatly not shaved)*EDIT*
~Nate

 

First of all - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Secondly, I'm sorry for the loss of your father. I owe most of my knowledge to my dad.

Jegs is great, but they tend to be overpriced. You can probably find the same parts from Summit or PAW for less. The truck is gonna be pretty easy to work on. As you take parts off, pay attention to how they fit and put the new ones back in the same way. You'll probably need to get a gasket set if it's not included with the manifold. The camshaft is gonna be a lot harder to replace than the manifold b/c you'll have to pull the engine (or the radiator and core support). Before you go that far you should check the compression and make sure the engine doesn't need a total rebuild. As for the gas mileage, it should actually go up. When you make more power you help the engine drive the truck more efficiently. That is until you use that power to go faster.

Feel free to ask any questions you have. The more specific the question, the way more detailed of an answer you'll get. There are some REALLY knowledgeable guys on here. I've learned a lot from them.

 

Thanks Larry, I appreciate it. Its been rough, but what can you do? I try to learn what I can from who I can... I guess I'm the quiet person who hears everything.

Anyways I'm 16 on the 21st, hopefully getting my lisance march 2nd because the DMV is backlogged .

I had a feeling pulling the camshaft would be fun, but on hot rod TV (mabey one of the other powerblock shows) they didnt have to remove the grill/radiator/radiator support... Is the radiator support right in the way of the camshaft on its way out, or is it just a pain to manuver around? Its a wisconsin truck, so rusty faseners is a given, and the less frustration the better imho... The swap will be done when its accually warm out, and I can find something else to drive for a few weeks (uncles very busy).

So I need a gasket set also, where do I get that?
I checked summit and PAW, but they dont carry the package deal... a 600CFM carb and the action plus intake is around 500, and i would still need a camshaft... Is there something besides ebay I could pick through? I hate the PAW system, because they make you pay for a catalog, and they dont apparently have one online... I guess Ill buy one if I need to, but I really think jegs has a good deal going on. Am I wrong about that?


What other cheap things can I do to the truck, provided it has good compression, since Ill allready have it opened up... Total budjet is <700. I know its not alot, but insurance kills me ($100+ a month), and I need to do some rust repair to the rockers and floor. Thats the first priority... the seat belt mount's rotten. It would be OK with me if it was on the drivers side (dont hit stuff) but I wont risk anybody riding with me...

Thanks alot
~Nate

 

Some engines don't require the engine to be out for the camshaft to be swapped. Usually those are like the budget Honda they did with overhead cams. The camshaft on your engine is over 2 feet long and has to slide straight out of the block. Normally that hits the center of the core support, but will always require the radiator to move. Call Jegs before you order, since it's a kit you're getting it may have the gaskets with it. (for me PAW rules b/c their show room and warehouse buildings are like 5 minutes away) If the engine is solid and you want to replace the cam, think about a longer ratio rocker arm, like 1.7:1 instead of 1.5:1. That'll make even better use of the cam by opening the valves farther each time. Make sure you turn the engine over by hand to make sure the valves clear the pistons. I'd avoid buying a cam on ebay b/c too many people don't store them stood on end and they get bent. I assume you're in Wisconsin. What part?

 

Just edited my profile to show I'm from Eau Claire WI, 54703. Would it be a good idea to pickup the "how to rebuild small-block ford engines", by Tom Monroe? Any other good books on getting more power the 302 that I can pick through?

Also, I found a carb/intake/air-filter kit on summit, exact same thing minus the camshaft, and its an action plus intake

Is $400 a good price for summit # SUM-CWND002S
Whats a better intake, the performer or action plus?
whats a better carb, edle or holly?

Is summit #EDL-2122 a good camshaft kit? How does one put in a lifter?

Bunch of noob questions I guess, but I'll pickup some books before the spring, and try to read up before the summer starts

Thanks alot, I really appreciate it
~Nate

 

Hey Nate- First of all, Happy Birthday! The Edelbrock package is a good deal for several reasons- the parts are matched to work together (they take the guesswork out of it), and you can call and they'll tell you which cam will work best for your application. Everything is included (gaskets) to do the job. Personally, I'd pull the motor and put it on a stand. Again, several reasons- first, it's easier to do a good clean job without having to work around things, plus you might as well put an oil pump in it, and it's a heck of a lot easier to do out of the truck. You're bound to drop old gasket material and junk inside the motor when yo're taking it apart. This stuff will clog the oil pump pickup screen and ther goes all your hard work. Don't forget a new timing assembly (chain and gears). Like Larry said, do a compression check, and if you don't have a mechanical oil pressure gauge, get one and install it(they're cheap). This will tell you a lot about the condition of your rings and bearings. Forget about changing rocker arm ratios ($$$). the 302 has a 1.6 rar and that's good for the street. You're probably going to get a higher lift cam anyway, so unless you spend a bunch of money on heads or are going to race it, you're fine. Before you do anything, read everything you can find on engine rebuilding. A good place to start is the Haynes manual. They give you step-by-step instructions, and a few tips. Don't order any parts until you find out what shape the motor is in, and any tools you're going to need. They make it look easy on T.V. KEEP IT CLEAN. The smallest amount of dirt can destroy an engine. BE PATIENT. If you start getting frustrated (and you will) just walk away and take a break. ASK QUESTIONS. The only dumb question is one that isn't asked. That's why we're here. Drop the guys in the Wisconsin chapter a line and see if there's someone close by that would help. This is a great bunch of guys and gals here on FTE and I'm sure there's someone who would help. Stay in touch and let us know how it's going.-Pete

 

Thanks alot, I appreciate it... I'm wandering if I really want to do the camshaft, will that give me alot more power, or is a 4bbl and intake good enough?

I gotta head out, but I have alot more questions that ill bug you with tomarrow morning

Thanks alot
~Nate

 

You'll be VERY happy with the new cam, if the rest of the engine is healthy enough to support it.

 

I read petes post in the wisconsin chapter. I am sure someone could give you a hand from your area, hopefully someone has notified you or will soon. I am located in Green Bay. I have done a little work on engines, but it is not my strongest area. Would it be any different then a swapping in stock parts? I did remove the engine in my car and put in a rebuild kit after having it machined and reinstalled. Anything you would have to watch out for other then not messing up the timing and sealing on the intake gasket? Hopefully someone with quite a bit of experience in that area can help you out. I don't know if you were planning on doing anything paint or bodywork wise, but if you are look me up when it gets warmer. If you can get the truck here, I'll help you in that area for only cost of materials if you can get it here, depending on how crazy things are with my jobs and other vehicles. You didn't mention what you had as far as exhaust. This might be a good place to start for bang for the money. A properly set up one can move the powercurve to where you use power the most. Maybe someone has a recommendation for that too. Im lucky that both my parents are still living. I am sorry to hear about your father. My dad doesn't know much about cars, so almost everything I learned I had to learn myslelf. That and being too poor to take them anywhere to get the work done.