It's come time to start thinking about my 302 buildup. I didn't get far before meeting my first tough decision. Should I stick with my '77 block (just the block, crank, and rods, everything else will be different) or go find an '86 roller block to begin with. I'm going to try and get about 300whp on a budget, a tight budget. I have E7TE heads with a light valve job done to them, and planning an performer intake, 600 carb, 6901 headers, no a/c, no p/s. The cam, pistons, etc are undecided.
Really, I think I'm just wondering what the REAL advantages of a roller block are. I will never run over 350whp on this motor as long as it's in the car.
Just my guess, but if you are going to keep the engine that mild, a flat tappet should be just fine for you. Especially if you are keeping those mild heads...speaking of which, those might limit your HP. Ask around. And, when you get to buying that Performer intake, I have one just off my car for sale cheap, and it is only 2 years old, with less than 5000 miles on it. Check on it before buying a new one.
If it were my car, I wouldnt settle for anything except a roller cam. Even on a mild car, the roller will give you faster spinup, less valvetrain wear, way less chances of wiping out a lobe, and no breakin is needed. Plus you will get the nice, one piece rear main seal if you go with a late model roller block. Just MHO.
I agree with Stockhatch 100%...it is just the part that tells me that the stock block with flat-taps will be fine for him. I also want a roller block in the garage to build up, but it will NOT be "on a budget" when I get to that point. It will be bored and stroked to 347, unless I can find a 351 to bore and stroke to 393 (do they make a roller 351? I have never looked into it), very balanced and strong rotating assembly, very big cam, then my current intake and heads, then run until I can afford better heads and intake. This will be a 6-month to 1-year project, while I save for each high-dollar part.
Good News Yes Crane is the only manufacture that makes a hyd lifter that is meant for this. Bad News The lifter set cost $400.00 Went this route in my brothers 331 stroker Despite what others may claim. This is the only lifter set that does not reqiure a reduced base circle cam. http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?lang=-1&catalogId=10002&storeId=10001&categoryId=13691&searchItemId=43251 Edit BTW no special camshaft is required. You can use any hyd roller cam that is the correct base circle.
If you think the lifters are expensive ... check out how much the matching cam is ... you need a special camshaft as well ...
If I ever, in the very distant future decide to put a 302 in my car, it will be a roller, no if's, and's or but's. I think it's just an all around better setup. Although one of the several 200+ hp fuel injected V6's out there are more likely to end up in my car then a 302. I've been reading up and found out Ford put the 250 hp 24 valve Duratec V6 in a Lincoln LS with a 5 speed manual behind it. That is a RWD car. I had previously thought that they were only in FWD Taurus SEL's. My mom's car has one of them in it, and I am a huge fan of that engine. That's 250 horsepower with a 5 speed that would get 25+ mpg highway. Now that would be a sweet drivetrain. Sorry, just dreaming out loud there.
so in other words unless i get a roller block i'm gonna need special cam and lifters instead of normal roller cam and roller lifters? umm anyone have a roller block for sale around detroit area? edit: oh yeah i want to run solid rollers not hydrolic
Dan that is incorrect if you use the lifter set I recommended in my last post. The alternative is to tap your block and install the factory roller lifters and spider assembly. You will need a reduced base circle cam to get the lifters to set in the lifter hole deep enough. There isn't a huge selection in reduced base circle cams. Hence the reason these lifters that cost 400.00 plus become invaluble
No. Like badmav said, conversion lifters allow the use of a standard roller cam. I would imagine you would still have to change to the windsor/HO firing order though. edit: If you do want to run a solid roller youre in luck. The conversion lifters for solid rollers are about $100 cheaper than the hydraulic flavor.
There are 351 blocks that are roller ready, but none ever came with roller cams installed. Unfortunately, these blocks are much weaker than early 351 castings and are less desirable for high HP buildups.
