Hi guys,

I'm new to the site and have some questions about building a 302.

I am ordering a 302 short block that will be bored either 30 or 40 over with just flat top silvolite pistons in it. we will be putting a 270H Comp cam in it (224 dur. and 501 lift), and an edelbrock performer intake with a 650 holley on it. looking at putting a set of AFR 185s heads on it but some people said the 185s intake runners are too big. looking for suggestions.

by the way, hope yall dont hold it against me for being a fairlane man. lol

 

What gears trans, and what will it be used for?

 

3.55 richmond gears
c-4 automatic
mostly street use with a little weekend fun at the track

 

Something like an AFR 165 would work nicely with that cam in a 302. The cam is a bit puny to really use the 185's with, wouldn't hurt anything, but you wouldn't get much benefit without more cam. Now, a set of 185's with a custom grind from Ed Curtis and it'd be a mean little ride.

 

what kind of cam are u recommending for the 185s and how much are we talking about money wise for a custom cam like this?

also would there be a lot of other things to change if I went to a cam such as the one u have in mind. I would like to keep my build around $2000 if possible.

 

i also talked to a summit tech last night and he said the afr 185s are really more for a roller cam instead of a hyd. flat tap. such as mine. He suggested the tfs twisted wedge 170s.

the reason for the cam i have is i had it in the original 289 and that was all the cam that i could support. i wouldn't mind changing to a higher cam but as i said i only have a certain amount that i can spend and given all the other parts i'm going to have to buy plus the new short block i am already pushing it. (being on a budget sucks!) lol

 

Ignore the Summit tech people, they don't know what they're talking about.

Email Ed Curtis at Flowtech and ask. He can set you up with a head/intake/cam package including a custom grind. Flat tappet would be cheaper, but a hyd roller setup will make more power, be more reliable, and get better mileage. Plus modern engine oils don't always play nice with flat tappets, and break in is a lot more critical.

 

what is your opinion on the trick flows? I have heard comments on both sides of the fence. even the tech said he would rather have the afrs but that they wouldn't be adjustable if I ever did decide to upgrade the cam and things they would have to be reworked whereas the trick flows come already adjustable.

as i said before im just trying to talk to people who have experience building these kinds of motors. experience to me is better info than book work.

 

AFR offers heads with pedestal and stud mount. Pedestal is technically "non-adjustable," but the valvetrain is adjusted by using proper length pushrods.