Before you go looking for a roller, you may want to check the casting # on the block (it's above the starter). Some of the old blocks with casting starting with "c" are from the 1960s and have a high iron content and good castings. They are sought for rebuilds. If you pull the intake and see a "Mexico" cast in the lifter valley, these blocks are highly sought for they were some of the strongest ever cast. Don't junk it without checking. some of the later blocks were much weaker. A good website for ford engine building is sbftech.com.

The ford 302 is a very buildable engine. It will take you where your wallet allows! Heads and cams will really wake up a 302.