I have a 302 that I have taken apart all the way to the block. Only thing left is freeze pulgs. I want it to be a powerful everyday street engine. I know nothing about engines so if any one can point me in the direction I need to go from here that would be great. I want to do the work myself so I can learn btw. Thanx all.

On a side note I got my new cowl welded in and got my rh floorpan (full length) installed. Now all I need is to fix the roof that I botched up the first try.

 

Just get a stroker kit run you about 1k and have a machine shop give your block a bath. Then get some nice heads and there ya have it. engines are easy to build so long as you got the money.

 

I would first recommend buying a manual about rebuilding Ford small block engines.
Second, I wouls buy an engine stand and buy a GOOD torque wrench. When I say "good", I mean the "click" type.
If you get a good manual and take your time, you shouldn't have any problems. If you do, you always have this board to come to for help/advise.
Do plenty of research and ask lots of questions before you start buying parts.
Don't worry about the freeze plugs now. Just take your bare block to a good machine shop and have them hot tank your block(that will take care of your freeze plugs and cam bearings).
Also, have them magnaflux the block and crankshaft(check for cracks) and to make sure the line bore is correct.
If your block has lots of miles on it then your probably looking at least a .030 overbore and the rod and mains needing turned on the crank.
BTW, let them install the new cam bearings. They have a tool that makes it much easier and plus they go in a certain way.
Plan on about $300-$400 on machine work on the block and crank.
When you get that done...then we'll talk about parts and assembly.

 

I agree with import slayer on the manual and the machine shop costs. There are many threads about getting HP from 289/302's already on here. Do a search and you should get a days reading.

One thing I would do is have the machine shop install Milledon rod bolts and resize the rods. Smallblock Fords have 5/16 rod bolts and they are very weak for high horsepower and high RPM. Spend money on a good oil pump also. You want at least 10 PSI for every 1,000 RPM you turn. Good luck.

 

But most important grasshopper, is to choose the right cam and head combo...for breathing in and out is the key to hp.

 

Now I have done some research and found a machine shop near me that does

hot tanking 35$
Magna flux 35$
.030 bore 97.50$
install cam bearings 65$ (they proved the bearings)
put in rods and pistons 64$
Freeze plugs 35$

Now I would like to know what you think about the prices. One thing they told me is that they won't bore it oversized unless I have I give them the pistons they will install at the same time. I now need advice on the cam and headers and what is a stroker kit and which one should I get etc. I forgot to ask about resizing rods as you suggested 67Coupe.

 

The main reason I said resize the rods was because I suggested you put in the Moly rod bolts.

 

You don't need them to install your pistons and rods. You can save some money and do that yourself. Since this is your fist engine, I would recomend buying a good set of piston ring pliers.
At this point I would go with the .030 bore and buy new pistons. However, you will need the shop to install the pistons on the rods for you but you can install the piston/rod assembly into the block yourself.
Your cam choice is going to depend on your compression ratio, rear gearing, and heads.
A nice set of AFR 165 heads would be a good set of heads to consider.
You are going to have to ask yourself how much HP you want and the kind of driving you plan on doing with the car(daily driver, drag race or maybe both).
The more HP you want, the faster you will spend.
BTW, those are decent prices but is that a reputable machine shop. I'd rather pay a little more for a quality job rather than for a cheap half-assed job....you know?

I don't know much about stroker kits so hopefully somone on here can guide you in the right direction.

 

The stroker kit should include a new crank so if you're going that route you can save a few $$ on getting the crank turned. The stroker increases the stroke length of the engine which increases the displacement for more HP. I think the 2 kits for a 302 are a 342ci and a 347ci (not sure if thats right but should be close). I've heard from a few friends that the smaller one is a little more reliable due to the larger having some oil burning issues but I can't verify that with any first hand knowledge.

 

The 347 oil burning issues have been resolved. I'm not sure how they did it but word has it that a 347 is no longer an "oil burner"