if i had a x303 cam in my 302 with gt40p heads what all would i have to replace on the geads to fit it in or that would possibly break?
If your talking about the older 302 block, the 40p heads use pedistal rockers. You need to use the correct length push rods and be sure the springs will take the x cam lift without binding or floating as well as the piston to valve clearence. The 40p spark plugs are at more of a straight out angle and will interfer with regular header use. Also the plug heat ranges available is extremly limited with one range colder but may ranges hotter. I am currently setting up a new motor to be supercharged and have found the plug selection is not real good for the application but should not be a problem with carburation or fuel injectiron.. The coldest plug is an Autolite discontinued # 2543 but can be found at Rock Auto parts. The other is a Denso #5048. Autolite has non resistor race plugs that have cold heat ranges, if they can be tolerated with radio use. Otherwise the heads use the same plugs as almost any 97 to 2005 Ford mod motor. 14mm, .708 reach, 5/8' hex body taper seal plugs. Good performance heads, but orefins in some ways. The only headers that fit correctly are the Ford Motor Sports p51 # or a header that clears the plug tips enough to be able to service the plugs.
With the X cam you'll need to upgrade to roller rockers as well. The stamped steel ones will likely bind at that lift. Even with a swap to pedestal roller rockers, the puny 5/16" rocker bolts will be pushed to the limits too.
I use Accel shorty plugs, and a special tool I made to get onto the plugs, see my web page on this date for details. http://home.cmaaccess.com/~scodon/november2005.htm What is the lift on that cam that makes it bind the rockers?
The X cam lift is .542 I doubt the stock rockers will handle that. I know the older stud-type stock rockers won't
WOW! No, I wouldn't trust them much over .500. I am using a milder cam but running Crane Roller Rockers that are a direct fit for the GT40 and P heads. 397-M-6564-A50 in JEGS catalog... Just a direct swap, and no other changes. I did have to pound in the baffles on my Edelbrock valve covers because they hit them.
I run the X303 and GT40 heads, I notched my pistons and Im running full roller rockers with 1.73 ratio from Crane Cam.. You will love this set up.. Its sounds great, mine idols at 1000-1050 rpms and sounds very radical. I also run a 3800 stall, you could get away with a little less but not less than 3000. I run 4:30 rear gear.. That combo puts out about 420 horse at the crank....
Stall? HUH? I'm running a Z303 with 1.7 rockers in a nearly stock stall C-4. With 3.40's out back, only a light powerbrake is necessary to light em up.
Well you are totally correct, you could use a stock converter? It will work... However if you have ever had one explode in your car you will learn to pay more attention to the stall specs of what it will handle and recomended horse power..So I would never recomend running the stock or saturday night special in anything with cam lift above 480.. By the way how does that Z303 sound, your the first person Ive spoke to thats running that Cam. I love the X303, however yours is larger yet and should be a monster..
im not real sure what a stall is. how would i go about notching my pistons and does all this still fit under the valve covers? could you load up a recording of your set up?
The Z isn't as radical as Ford's description makes it out to be. It's been awhile since I ran the B cam, but from memory, the B sounded rougher. The 331 it's in has Canfield heads and topped with a repop Ford 3x2, I ran it for over a year in my 89 Ranger with a 4 speed and 3.73 rear. Tame enough to commute on a 50 mile drive daily. It idles at 700 rpm. Mileage was 12mpg, driving it to the limit, 16 if you kept your foot out of it. Power comes on at 1500 and pulls to about 6500-7000.
Okay Im ashamed to say that Ive had the car running for a year and still have not made it to the track.. Im looking to go soon, because the motor and tranny are moving out of my stang and into my new MAVERICK.. the 351c is just to tight. You have a great looking Maverick.. I need to figure out how to get my picture on here..
Stall= Tourqe converter To notch the pistons its best to have a machine shop do that and some people call it flycut..but you should measure your Piston to Valve clearence. You may not need the exta room, I didnt have to but I intended turning over 7000rpms. So I wanted to be sure. you asked about valve cover clearence..most aftermarket roller rockers and spring set ups require tall valve covers.. If you want a great bolt in cam with no other upgrades you should run the E303 it sounds healthy and you can run stock valve train and Stall converter..
Isky rents a tool to cut valve reliefs. You install it in place of the valves and spin it with a drill. A little patience with a grinder and you can do a decent job, too. The small amount of material you remove isn't enough to upset the balance.
