that 302-380hp from proformanceunlimited sure is nice, is it worth it for $7000 though (added shipping). i mean if i buy the 302 from ford racing for 3800 shipped, i have $3200 to put into the motor, shouldnt that be more than enough to buy an intake manifold, carb, front sump oil pan, pulleys, camshafts and so on? the one from proformanceunlimited does come fully assembled and ready to drop in with the timing and everything set but is it worth the extra 3200 over the ford racing 302?

thanks for all the help thus far, and sorry for all the newb questions.

 

Again: MY OPINION: I'd go Fordracing 302 and haggle with whatever supplier (Jegs, etc) to get great pricing on the add ons like the manifold, carb, distributor, etc...they have a decent tech line, ask alot of ???'s about what else you need. Water pump outlet side is important if you use your existing radiator, all the extras....oil pan kit (you don't need anything special, you could reuse yours off the 289 with a new gasket, just need a front sump version), distributor (same, could reuse), alternator (same, could reuse), check Ebay for a mainfold too. Performer RPM Manifolds are pretty common...you mentioned a camshaft, the crate comes with that installed...

At the end of this, you have a nice 289 sittin' on the sidelines...not bad at all.

Also look at T and L, I think their crates have more included. They are beasts, definitely want to look at the tranny with those.

 

The front sump oil pan and the oil pump pickup were around $60 from my local Checker. The fancy-pants one piece oil pan gasket was about $45 from Summit.

Is this the engine you are considering? http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=7368

If I were in your shoes, I would make sure I end up with a rev limiter somehow. It might save your engine if you end up breaking something in the drive line while at full throttle. A lot of people like the MSD 6AL ignition box, which has a built in rev limiter.

I think the crate motor is a great way to go. Someone else has already figured out the best combination of parts and even put it together for you. As an added bonus, the Ford Racing engines come with a 12 month warranty.

 

You'll need a different dizzy gear, the steel cam will eat the iron drive gear on the distributor.