First engine build 65 fastback
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9
From: CA
First engine build 65 fastback
I'm doing my first engine build and thinking about swapping for a 302. Any advice for whether I should go with an older 302 or get the roller motor. How difficult is it to have the roller motor with a carburetor instead of EFI? How difficult is it to find other parts between the two motors?
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 429
From: Florida
Rollers have less things to worry about. Cam break-in is not as critical as a solid cam setup. Are you looking at buying a short block/long block or buying parts and doing it yourself?
Having a roller setup does not impact your induction choice. Parts are plentiful for both.
BTW, welcome to the Forum. Glad you are here.
Having a roller setup does not impact your induction choice. Parts are plentiful for both.
BTW, welcome to the Forum. Glad you are here.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 459
From: az
I'm doing my first engine build and thinking about swapping for a 302. Any advice for whether I should go with an older 302 or get the roller motor. How difficult is it to have the roller motor with a carburetor instead of EFI? How difficult is it to find other parts between the two motors?
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 59
From: FL
Well, what do you want to do with the engine once its in your car? Do you want a bad *** gas guzzling strip motor or is it going to be a daily driver on city streets? Im assuming even if it is a daily driver youre going to want to go above and beyond necessity (just like i did) and give it some umph as well. However, either way you go Ocho is right. In fact, he said the same thing to me when i was asking questions about my 302 motor build 
Im also assuming that this is your first engine build as well. If it is, i would suggest going with a tried and true set up, such as a fox body 302 approach (for which aftermarket parts are beyond plentiful, and cheap~ish!), because youll be able to find out everything you ever wanted to know, and some stuff you didnt, just by punching it into google. On top of readily available parts and a wealth of knowledge, since they are so popular many auto shops near you will be able to easily assist you if you decide to build it yourself and run into any problems.
My motor build has gone very well so far. I picked up a 1989 HO 302 from a fox body just by chance and found out all the advantages as i went. Man did i get lucky...
Anyway, if youre looking to just get some above stock horsepower and learn how to build motors in the future so that you could potentially upgrade id go with a cookie cutter approach the first time around. For instance, a very popular set up is to take apart the motor, get the crank polished (and ground down 1 undersize if absolutely necessary), put in all new bearings, rods, bolts, buy a ford racing b303 or e303 cam (everyone has their own opinion on these cams, but theyve been used in many many mustang builds across the country), pistons if you need em, piston rings, a set of ported gt40/gt40p heads, lifters for the cam, harmonic balancer, an intake manifold, and a carb. There are of course things i neglected to list, but the main changes are there so you get the idea.
All in all, a 302 from a fox body is a good choice, its very simple to run it with a carb, and parts are everywhere. Plus, it should bolt right into your classic mustang.
Im also assuming that this is your first engine build as well. If it is, i would suggest going with a tried and true set up, such as a fox body 302 approach (for which aftermarket parts are beyond plentiful, and cheap~ish!), because youll be able to find out everything you ever wanted to know, and some stuff you didnt, just by punching it into google. On top of readily available parts and a wealth of knowledge, since they are so popular many auto shops near you will be able to easily assist you if you decide to build it yourself and run into any problems.
My motor build has gone very well so far. I picked up a 1989 HO 302 from a fox body just by chance and found out all the advantages as i went. Man did i get lucky...
Anyway, if youre looking to just get some above stock horsepower and learn how to build motors in the future so that you could potentially upgrade id go with a cookie cutter approach the first time around. For instance, a very popular set up is to take apart the motor, get the crank polished (and ground down 1 undersize if absolutely necessary), put in all new bearings, rods, bolts, buy a ford racing b303 or e303 cam (everyone has their own opinion on these cams, but theyve been used in many many mustang builds across the country), pistons if you need em, piston rings, a set of ported gt40/gt40p heads, lifters for the cam, harmonic balancer, an intake manifold, and a carb. There are of course things i neglected to list, but the main changes are there so you get the idea.
All in all, a 302 from a fox body is a good choice, its very simple to run it with a carb, and parts are everywhere. Plus, it should bolt right into your classic mustang.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 429
From: Florida
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 678
From: Smyrna, TN
I kept my stock 289 and put new parts in it, decided to stroke it to 333ci while I was at it. I looked at the roller option but for the cost of the roller parts it wasn't worth the ~15hp differernce to me as I wanted all new parts. The roller cams, lifters, etc. are 2X $ of hydraulic.
Either way you go be sure to keep all your original accessories as the timing covers may be different, fuel pump eccentric, cam gear ht. all varies with motor year.
Jon
Either way you go be sure to keep all your original accessories as the timing covers may be different, fuel pump eccentric, cam gear ht. all varies with motor year.
Jon
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