302 out of a 79 Ford Van

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302 out of a 79 Ford Van

August 30, 2007, 10:01:05 AM

A friend recently offered me a complete, working 302 that he pulled out of a 79 Ford van. I've been keeping an eye out for an engine to build up for the Tbird so I was wondering if this would be a good candidate. He said he'd pretty much give the engine to me. Even if it's not a roller block, the money i could save on the engine will more than make up for the extra price of retro fit roller lifters. Also being a truck block, maybe it'll be a 4 bolt main. What do you guys think?

302 out of a 79 Ford Van

Reply #1 – August 30, 2007, 10:06:31 AM

I think it would depend on the model of the van. E150,E250,E350 as far as the 4 bolt main part. An extra motor is and extra motor. The other part I think the heads wouldn't be the best flowing. No biggie that should give you most of the parts on the cheap.

302 out of a 79 Ford Van

Reply #2 – August 30, 2007, 11:52:45 AM

AFIK there is no such thing as a four bolt main block, unless you are talking Boss 302 or aftermarket...

302 out of a 79 Ford Van

Reply #3 – August 30, 2007, 12:00:54 PM

Yeah the only 4 bolt main 302's are aftermarket. You have Chevy on the brain son.

302 out of a 79 Ford Van

Reply #4 – August 30, 2007, 03:42:19 PM

Flat tappet cams aren't that bad. It's just more involved to break them in that's all. Roller cams do have the advantage of being able to have hight ramp rates though. As long as you do a MAF conversion it won't care if the cam is roller or not. Just make sure that the flat tappet cam has a lobe separation angle of over 112* or it'll idle like poo.

302 out of a 79 Ford Van

Reply #5 – August 30, 2007, 10:06:55 PM

Well if I get this engine, I'm stripping it down to the bare block and completely building it. 306 or 331, nice cam and heads, possibly a supercharger, ya know the drill. I'd like to get ~400whp from it. I wont put the engine in the car for a few more years now, so I will take my time and build it exactly the way I want. Piece by piece.

302 out of a 79 Ford Van

Reply #6 – August 30, 2007, 10:51:58 PM

306 is nice (I have one :D ). They rev nice too.