Thread: 302 Motor performance parts

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Hey there. I'm new to this and have no idea what I'm doing. I kinda inherited a 1970 Ford F-100 Custom stepside. Is there anywhere I can look to find out what I can do to this truck? I would like to make it handle better (can I replace the suspension?), I would also like to make the engine perform it's best so I need to find info on how to beef up this 302. Somebody help me please?????

The lower you get the truck, the better it's going to handle but, it will still handel like a truck. You can put a 4 link rear suspension in it, that might help handeling. To get the 302 higher hp, get a 347 stroker kit for it and put it in it, probably the best upgrade for a 302, A nice flowing set of aftermarket heads would probably help also OR you could save yourself some time and just drop a 351 Clevland in there.

Older 302s are very easy motors to upgrade. Put in a higher lift cam, a decent intake, a good carb, optional on the heads. Being a 70, they are probably fairly good flowing heads, but its an option. Finally, bolt it all to a high-flow exhaust and enjoy. It is almost essential to replace the points-style distributor. Go for a late 70s/early 80s solid state or a MSD box if your going all out. This should bring your motor a lot of life. However, if you do a compression test and get low compression on many cylinders, you may have to rebuild. In that case, go for the Stroker kit. Hope this helps.

Do a search on your particular truck, and you will find all kinds of stuff; vendors for suspension parts, engine parts, etc. As for forums, I am new here, but it is very informative, and alot of people here seem to know their stuff.

As for the engine, good advice above. 1970 is a good year for performance (heads). I am more of a big block kinda guy, but have built a couple 302's. Seems all engines have a "weakest link", and this is only my opinion, but I think the first thing to look at when building a 302 is air flow, both intake and exhaust.

On the other hand, 302's do not need alot to make them respectable performers. They are pretty tough, and love to wind.

One more thing, and this is again my opinion, but to me the most important thing is the block during a rebuild. I could go on for an hour on this, but to make a long story short, have the block, crank, etc. checked, and make the needed repairs. I try to fund the worst case scenario; block needs .030" over, new pistons, crank needs turned. New rings, bearings, oil pump, and timing chain are automatic. Any funds left over after finding exactly what the engine needs can then be spent on performance parts.

Two reasons for this; One is that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. To bolt that new shiny intake on a ragged out engine will only lead to failure. I have seen guys put a 302 with 90K miles in a new Cobra replica, and I just dont understand it. The second reason is that after the block is taken care of, basically everything else can be bolted on later, without any major disassembly- i.e. carb, intake, ignition, heads, headers, etc. It might take awhile longer, but you'll have something that will run great and be reliable. Also, with doing things one at a time, you will see the effect of it.

Good luck, and hope this mumbling helps!
Greg