Thread: Need Information On Later Model 302 Engines

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OK - couple answers/statements = headers can be interesting, but with mine, using Sanderson FF1 block huggers, only one plug presents a problem and that was 'fixed with a modified 5/8 socket. You do have to tell Donna at Sanderson what heads and they will provide the right headers. My guess is that even my 'problem' has been addressed by now.

You do need to add a fuel pump eccentric, new bolt and a correct length drive pin. Summit has the eccentrics and the correct ARP bolt. The drive pin was obsoleted by Ford on Oct 27, 2010( I know, trivia, but I went looking for one in Nov 2010) - but McMaster Carr has a box of 25 of the correct diameter and length for not much money. The photo below is why you shouldn't use the Ford 2 piece eccentric. I tore the drive tab off the one on the right. The left one is the replacement - looks like you will have to click on the link to open the photo



Edelbrock Performer carbs drain back - that's a fact of life. I'm using a 1" four hole phenolic spacer and it isn't quite as bad as the aluminum piece I had used.

Use a new ARP oil pump drive - seem to be a better piece then the Ford Racing.

OEM pistons should be cast flat top with 4 eyebrows. On a mild engine, probably fine. If the engine needs a bore, then the hypereutectic would be my choice unless you went for a blower/turbo, then the choice would be forged

Allways good to see fords in fords,in Australia probably more common than in U.S.A. because ford motors were usually more easy to obtain then chevs. But far to many chev motors in fords for my liking.I've had a 283 chev in my 35 ford coupe died with less then 30,000k's on the clock , got it rebuilt then it dropped the after market oil filter adapter at around 4 thousand k's DEAD AGAIN. Built up a 350, touch wood was good.My 39 ford has a 283 in it, big end knock at 5 thousand k's,rebuilt it so far so good,but i'm starting to hate chev's . All this time my brother has had a 302 windsor in his 35 Dodge that been super reliable for 15 yrs whilst he's been to a lot more rod runs and hence k's on his rod with no rebuilds. For my current build projects in my 37 ford coupe ute,351 cleveland (aussie block), ran fine in donner car but valve guide smoke as was high klms. Will rebuild but tossing up wether to stroke it. In my other project 35 desoto airstream flat back, 5ltr ford windsor 1997 injected from XR8 falcon with aod and lsd diff,will use as much as possible from donner car!. 80,000 k's and ran great so don't plan on touching it except maybe dress up. Interesting it seems common over here to put ford donks in dodges (mopars) and i've seen a few ford donks in chev's too (ha ha). So no more chevs for me i hope because i haven't had good luck with them. Probably parts are cheap for chev's because they sell so many for rebuilds.

So after doing some reading it seems that the early 90's Mustang GT 302 was rated at 225HP and the Cobra at 235HP. I was a little surprised since I thought they would be closer to 300. What would it take to get a late 80's/early 90's 302 up to 300HP? As I said earlier I plan to use the block assembly from the Mercury and swap heads and cam as well as going to a carburetor setup, probably a Performer RPM. If the GT40 heads have 65cc combustion chambers then couldn't I go with a small dome top piston to get the compression back up? The aluminum ones that Ford Racing sells claim to give you 65HP but those are pretty expensive.

Originally Posted by tidefan66

So after doing some reading it seems that the early 90's Mustang GT 302 was rated at 225HP and the Cobra at 235HP. I was a little surprised since I thought they would be closer to 300. What would it take to get a late 80's/early 90's 302 up to 300HP? As I said earlier I plan to use the block assembly from the Mercury and swap heads and cam as well as going to a carburetor setup, probably a Performer RPM. If the GT40 heads have 65cc combustion chambers then couldn't I go with a small dome top piston to get the compression back up? The aluminum ones that Ford Racing sells claim to give you 65HP but those are pretty expensive.

If you are staying with iron heads, the GT40P have a 59cc chamber('97-'01 Explorer) and a much better flow rate even with a bit smaller exhaust valve. Plugs can be a bother to get out, needing proper head specific headers but many Mustangs are running these heads. You then, assuming you are staying with Ford parts, can install one of their 'letter' camshafts. Pedestal mount rockers should be changed out for stud mounts using the Crane mod kit or, better yet, have them machined for proper 3/8 or 7/16 inch studs. Find my current post here on my trials and pain with pedestal mount rockers. Then, a good ignition - either a DuraSpark or an MSD or similar. With that, should be near the 300Hp mark. Oh and the 1.7 rockers - today, installing my new Crane 1.6 stud mounts, have found signs of some minor interference on the retainers