Notices

302 Rebuild

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 19, 2003 | 11:10 AM
  #1  
Border3899's Avatar
Border3899
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis USA
302 Rebuild

I am going to be rebuilding my 302 in my pick up, and i'm wondering what i can do to it to beef up the performance on it. One thing i'm going to do is bore it 30 over but i would also like to perform some other mods to it. What are some things you folks would recommend i do for performance. I realize there are probably several things i can do, but some suggestions would be great.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2003 | 09:33 PM
  #2  
speedkingf100's Avatar
speedkingf100
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Rimbey Canada
302 Rebuild

You could get a high torque cam if you use it for pulling or maybe a hot street cam if you like to race a little, a port and polish job on the intake and exhaust ports, a nice four barrel edelbrock performer intake a 550 holley vacuum secondary up top, a set of headers (not Cheap) and some flat top pistons (make sure the compression ration does not go above 9.5 to 1 or you will be very unimpressed.)
Just my .02
Steve
PS also if you are made of money you could also buy a 347 stroker kit
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2003 | 04:54 PM
  #3  
Border3899's Avatar
Border3899
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis USA
302 Rebuild

Thanks Steve, i'm going to check out the four barrel intake tonight. so far what i'm going to do is port and polish the exhaust ports and the heads and install a factory roller cam out of a mustang 5.0, thinking about a new throttle body too.
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2003 | 05:59 PM
  #4  
Diesel_Dummy _'s Avatar
Diesel_Dummy _
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
302 Rebuild

you can not just swap a factory roller cam into a block that did not come with one.
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2003 | 07:40 PM
  #5  
Border3899's Avatar
Border3899
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis USA
302 Rebuild

What would need to be done to put in a roller cam? This is my first rebuild so i'm asking even if it's a no brainer...
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 05:55 AM
  #6  
Diesel_Dummy _'s Avatar
Diesel_Dummy _
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
302 Rebuild

a roller cam block
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 08:43 AM
  #7  
PigFarmer's Avatar
PigFarmer
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Charter Oak, Iowa
302 Rebuild

Depends on the year of your block. Someone here knows the exact year but sometime in the late 80's the blocks used in trucks were roller cam blocks but only had the flat tappet cam/lifters installed. In this case there are conversion kits to make the change-over.

Randy
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 09:12 AM
  #8  
Border3899's Avatar
Border3899
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis USA
302 Rebuild

The block is a 91, do you know if this is a roller cam block?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 12:06 PM
  #9  
PigFarmer's Avatar
PigFarmer
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Charter Oak, Iowa
302 Rebuild

I THINK it is. Can someone confirm this??

Randy
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 05:46 PM
  #10  
Diesel_Dummy _'s Avatar
Diesel_Dummy _
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
302 Rebuild

only one way to find out , take the intake off, if it has roller tappets then its a roller block , and no ford did not use flat tappet cams in roller blocks.
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 06:46 PM
  #11  
PigFarmer's Avatar
PigFarmer
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Charter Oak, Iowa
302 Rebuild

Hmmm. Maybe so on the no-roller block. I've heard it mentioned more than once on here that they used what I described in the 302 trucks starting in 88. Check this threadhttps://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...t=roller+block DeGideo talks of such a thing. Also do a search on roller blocks in this forum. I know there's others that make reference to it. If nothing else send DeGideo a personal message thru this site and ask him to verify for you.

Randy
 

Last edited by PigFarmer; Feb 21, 2003 at 06:51 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 08:11 PM
  #12  
Rcmgiasson's Avatar
Rcmgiasson
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: s'toon sask
302 Rebuild

first have it balanced and some blueprint work done at the machine shop. This makes the bottom end almost bullet proof in a street aplication. Then you can worry about bolting on the horsepower. First you must start with a good foundation.
 

Last edited by Rcmgiasson; Feb 21, 2003 at 08:52 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 08:50 PM
  #13  
V10KLZZ71S's Avatar
V10KLZZ71S
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 7
From: Gretna ,LA.
302 Rebuild

You could use a CRANE CAMS retrofit kit to install a hyd roller cam in a non-roller block
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 09:36 PM
  #14  
Diesel_Dummy _'s Avatar
Diesel_Dummy _
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
302 Rebuild

Originally posted by V10KLZZ71S
You could use a CRANE CAMS retrofit kit to install a hyd roller cam in a non-roller block
you sir are right !

my 90 5.0 is a flat tappet block and has the shorter lifter journals and no taped holes under the intake manifold for the roller lifter retainer/guides


i do however have a 89 Mustang GT 5.0 HO roller block and GT40 heads waiting for some warmer weather to be installed in my truck.
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2003 | 07:38 AM
  #15  
PigFarmer's Avatar
PigFarmer
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Charter Oak, Iowa
302 Rebuild

From what I've been led to beleive is that these era blocks could have the retainer bosses tapped at a machine shop and utilize the OE type roller-lifter units vs. the need for the retro lifter units needed for the older blocks. The cost of machining should be minimal. The retro's would be an option too as would just finding a fully settup roller block.

Randy
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:38 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE