302 engine rebuild
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302 engine rebuild
I have a 79' 302w in a F-100 pickup i'm looking to get some performance out of it. I mainly use it for everyday driving and some highway, can't forget having some fun with it once in a while. I still want some half decent fuel economy at least around 17-20mpg. Im leaning more towards a 347 stroker but ive heard bad things would it really be bad for my application? Also thinking of a 342 stroker are there any advantages or disadvantages to this engine? A lot of people say that a 331 is the best way to go, would it or would I be ok with one those other engines.
Would I be better to use a later model roller block or stick with I have. I would like to go with a set of gt40x heads they seem like a good deal. An Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake and cam witha 600cfm carb. Is this a good combo or should I be looking at something different? If not what sort of RPM range and parts would best suit for my application . Would a beefed up C-4 be ok or should I switch to a C-6.
Would I be better to use a later model roller block or stick with I have. I would like to go with a set of gt40x heads they seem like a good deal. An Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake and cam witha 600cfm carb. Is this a good combo or should I be looking at something different? If not what sort of RPM range and parts would best suit for my application . Would a beefed up C-4 be ok or should I switch to a C-6.
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well one option would be to go to a 351 windsor and the c6. much better torque out of the 351 w for these trucks. Not that 302 is a bad motor or anything.
As far as the 302 i have also heard theres problems with the 347 strokers. think it was the 331 with much less troubles. An eldelbrock carb, performer rpm air gap intake, cam and a nice set of short headers would be a good way to go for either the 302 for the 351.
hope that helps a little
As far as the 302 i have also heard theres problems with the 347 strokers. think it was the 331 with much less troubles. An eldelbrock carb, performer rpm air gap intake, cam and a nice set of short headers would be a good way to go for either the 302 for the 351.
hope that helps a little
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2006
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The biggest problem is the weight of the truck. I'd think a 5 speed manual with something like 4.63 gears should help that little 302 alot, plus with the overdrive it would help with rpms and mpg's.
I got a 302 in a 65 Falcon with vic jr heads, C4 with 3500 stall convertor and 4.10 gears, runs great and when I hit the 275hp of nitrous it makes lanes changes all by itself. It weighs in at 2700 pounds
If you went with a 351 then some good heads like jr's should get close to 500hp with a good carb, cam and intake.
Strokers can cause a ring seal problem over time due to the short skirt on the pistons allowing the pistons to rock in the bore more then a standard ones.
And you are getting 17-20 mpg's now ??? what type of trans are you using now??
I got a 302 in a 65 Falcon with vic jr heads, C4 with 3500 stall convertor and 4.10 gears, runs great and when I hit the 275hp of nitrous it makes lanes changes all by itself. It weighs in at 2700 pounds
If you went with a 351 then some good heads like jr's should get close to 500hp with a good carb, cam and intake.
Strokers can cause a ring seal problem over time due to the short skirt on the pistons allowing the pistons to rock in the bore more then a standard ones.
And you are getting 17-20 mpg's now ??? what type of trans are you using now??
Last edited by RacingJake; Aug 9, 2006 at 10:35 PM.
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From: Kiefer, Northeastern Okla
Some very good reading for anyone interested in using a stroker in a daily driver- http://speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3471. 
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From: western montana
The 302, imho, is really only suitable for lighter can and best build for high rpm and building for spin is anti fuel economy.
I stronly second a windsor swap which would go right in and they are available and cheap. Get an older engine or at least heads...once smog started windsor heads absolutely suck and will rob power and mileage. I'm putting '65 289 4v heads on my kids '84 windsor with perfomer intake and 4bbl. A stock build then pulls 9:1 compression with the closed chamber heads.
For mileage you need compression and decent low end flow vilosity. Then it's also a great 1/2 ton 2wd truck motor. You will also have enough low end grunt to go with 300 range rear end gearing to lower cruise rpm.
I stronly second a windsor swap which would go right in and they are available and cheap. Get an older engine or at least heads...once smog started windsor heads absolutely suck and will rob power and mileage. I'm putting '65 289 4v heads on my kids '84 windsor with perfomer intake and 4bbl. A stock build then pulls 9:1 compression with the closed chamber heads.
For mileage you need compression and decent low end flow vilosity. Then it's also a great 1/2 ton 2wd truck motor. You will also have enough low end grunt to go with 300 range rear end gearing to lower cruise rpm.
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I was really wanting to make my 302 a stroker engine but everyone says bad things but im not gonna run to the ground like most people, I like to take care of my vehicle. A freind also suggegsted a 392 stroker and I am considering it but do these engines have the same problems as a 347 or 342 stroker or are tey better in any way.
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How much power can you make out of a 331 and would it be good idea for a daily driver/street performance?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Montana Territory
I wonder why everybody says bad things about them but they'ver never built one or owned one... heresay I say.
A 347 will take you all the way to 800 horses if you want it too. A 331 is going to be less, but its your choice on how you want to build it. I'm building a 347 right now for my 79 f150 2wd. My horsepower goal is around 400, as I'm shooting for a little higher torque lower in the RPM range.
Good luck and welcome to FTE!
A 347 will take you all the way to 800 horses if you want it too. A 331 is going to be less, but its your choice on how you want to build it. I'm building a 347 right now for my 79 f150 2wd. My horsepower goal is around 400, as I'm shooting for a little higher torque lower in the RPM range.
Good luck and welcome to FTE!
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the early production 347 stroker kits had oiling issues. most of these have been fixed and are not so much of an issue. You will get more life out of a 331 vs 347 due to the rod/piston angle going into the cylinders but there is a definate increase in power over the 2. but it will all come down to the parts you use and how they work together. I have seen some screemer 331's blast a 347 so it all in the components.
now like the others said a 5.8 is also another option, you can run aftermarket heads,cam , intake and carb with some good headers and be were a 347 with the same parts would be. the plus to the 5.8 is the internals havent been touched. the 5.8 could still be bored and stroked to easily gain more were as the 347 would be at its limit unless turbod,SC'd or running nitrous. but again its all in the parts you use.
Ive seen 300-6 motors spank big blocks.
have fun , to many choices drive me nuts so im glad this is you and not me
now like the others said a 5.8 is also another option, you can run aftermarket heads,cam , intake and carb with some good headers and be were a 347 with the same parts would be. the plus to the 5.8 is the internals havent been touched. the 5.8 could still be bored and stroked to easily gain more were as the 347 would be at its limit unless turbod,SC'd or running nitrous. but again its all in the parts you use.
Ive seen 300-6 motors spank big blocks.
have fun , to many choices drive me nuts so im glad this is you and not me
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I have some experiance with strokers, and they will not last as long as a 351w for daily driven use. It not so much a question of the pistons having short skirts, as it is the rod angles.
A 347 has a very poor rod ratio even when the longest possible 5.4" rods are used. A typical 347 has about the same rod angles (~19+* @ 90* rotation) that a 454 Chebby has. You will rebuild a 347 three or four times before you need to rebuild a 351w once for these reasons.
Ford saw fit to raise the block when they engineered the 351W, so that the 351 could have the same rod ratio as a 302, with the greater stroke.
A 347 can be a strong performer for a race engine or an engine that will never see a lot of miles on the street. A 331 is a more viable long term stroker motor.
A 331 with 5.4" rods produces about as much power a similar 347, but it has a good rod ratio of 1.66:1. A reliable and streetable 331 will produce 350 to 450 HP depending on the heads and cam combonation used.
A 347 has a very poor rod ratio even when the longest possible 5.4" rods are used. A typical 347 has about the same rod angles (~19+* @ 90* rotation) that a 454 Chebby has. You will rebuild a 347 three or four times before you need to rebuild a 351w once for these reasons.
Ford saw fit to raise the block when they engineered the 351W, so that the 351 could have the same rod ratio as a 302, with the greater stroke.
A 347 can be a strong performer for a race engine or an engine that will never see a lot of miles on the street. A 331 is a more viable long term stroker motor.
A 331 with 5.4" rods produces about as much power a similar 347, but it has a good rod ratio of 1.66:1. A reliable and streetable 331 will produce 350 to 450 HP depending on the heads and cam combonation used.
Last edited by P51D Mustang; Aug 31, 2006 at 09:36 AM.
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