Okay, i have a big decision to make. My car is in my sig, 93 LX 5.0 with about 87,000 mi. on the engine. My plan was to slowly mod the engine as i get money. But today my dad said he would make a deal with me. He doesnt want me doing too much to it since it is my only car and daily driver. So he said if i didnt do anything to the engine i have now, he would buy me another engine to completely tear down and rebuild and then drop in my car. The engine my dad is concidering buying is a 302 from a '68 mustang that a friend of his has. Apparently they took it out because it was burning oil or something. So my question is, is a '68 block a good one to start a project with? Is it basically the same engine as the newer 302s? Will i be able to find parts for it? And we are looking to be making 350-400 hp so could that block take it? Any other concerns or anything? I need to make a decision soon so any input would be great.

 

if you are gone to run a hydraulic roller cam.as you do now I would stay away from the older block or you will have to get special after market lifters for the non old roller blocks and they go for $300+ dollars. or you could the retro fit cam stuff Crane use to sell it and it runs a small base cam then the cams cost more .IMO I would just get a roller block they dont cost that much if you get one that needs a rebuild.

 

im not sure if the blocks are indentical but you want to take note on a few things. if your going to use just the block that is OK as long as you give it a bath and check for cracks, abrasions etc.. anywhere.. also i would bore it out to 306, thats a cheap and easy mod to do while the block is bare. other than that i would just keep my eyes open because that block is 35 years old.

 

Okay, so i will have to get a cam for a '68 but what about other parts? Will the heads from an 87-93 302 fit on the 68 block? and what about the crank? Also, do you think i should go carburated or fuel injected?

 

yes the heads will fit and the crank will fit but due to the rear seal being diff.the old block uses a 2 piece rope seal and the the roller block uses a one piece seal you may have a oil leak I have not done it I have talked with others that have and they got oil leaks.as far as carb. or FI I dont care for carbs I enjoy messing with FI so I would stay with FI if you have emissions in your area the carb will not pass so think about that also.carb by far is cheaper.also if you are gone to run the flat tappet cam you will need to get one for the 351W fire order cuz the old 302 has a diff.fire order .And the HO roller is that of a 351w.also if you use the crank out of the old 302 cuz the oil leak problem the balance is 28oz and the new 302 is 50oz.so you cant mix and match flywheels & harmonic balancers. The only diff. in cams for the 302 old and the 351 was the fire order you.if you run FI you can not run a cam for a old 302 due to the ECM is set up for the 351/302HO roller fire order.so if you run carb you can fire it like a old 302 or as said before you can get a cam for a 351w make sure it is for the right fire order cuz. the cam makers use to say it would work in a 351 and a 302 and you had to change the fire order to the old 302 due to the fact that there was more 302s then 351s and they could save a $$ doing it that way.

 

Just tell your dad to go buy a rebuildable 5.0l block from the junk yard.If you decide to go with the older engine then you have to deal with a different balancer and flywheel for the 157 tooth setup you have now(82 and older 302's have a 28 ounce balance and the newer engines have a 50 ounce balance)
Also the H.O 5.0L engines use a 351 fireing order.Just too much to deal with in my opinion.
You should be able to pick up an engine for cheap.


Rye

 

I would tend to say don't use the '68 block and get a later model roller motor block as in the long run it will cost you less money to get the overall project done as you won't have to buy new parts like balancers and flywheels and you can go with a roller cam without the expensive maching work necessary for an older 302 block.

 

Okay thanks again for the replies everyone. Ive now decided i need to look for a roller block. What is the oldest year that uses a roller cam? im thinkin of looking for an engine from 87-95 but im not sure. are the 94-95 engines good for a build up?

 

sounds like a time for me to say: "call the Ford Racing Performance Parts tech line at 586-468-1356" these guys have all the answers you will need.

 

85 was the first year for roller cams in stangs.yes the 94-95 blocks are also good all the 302 blocks are the same(85-up) as far as I have seen.I did hear that the truck blocks were stronger but I have yet to see one that was any diff. then a car block and have seen many.so I dont think you will have any problems getting one.even the non-roller blocks will accept the roller stuff(85-up).just look at the lifter galley if there are bolt holes in the center of the galley to hold down the lifter retainer plate then the block will work with a roller.