Found a 302

[tandangerranger]

I found this for $30 bucks. I plan on starting the rebuild on it next week. Going to try to keep it pretty simple and keep the stock specs. That is if I don't have to get it bored. I have not checked the internals yet.

 

[baddad457]

You paid exactly what it's worth. Early 80's 302.................thin blocks, weak cranks, big chambered heads.

 

[Got302ci]

LMAO so you say early 80's were bad?? At what point did they get good???

 

[5.0]

At what point did they get good???

Hopefully the HO was good by '92... that's the year I have. I've also read that '92 was the last year for forged pistons, but I don't know.

 

[Teddyzee]

I've also read that '92 was the last year for forged pistons, but I don't know.

Yes.

 

[5.0]

Are the forged pistons good? And why?

 

[cammeddrz]

Are the forged pistons good? And why?

yes they are, and strength is why, but usually pistons get replaced in a rebuild anyway, you can put forged pistons in if you want. but a cast piston is reliable to around 450 hp.

 

[red85]

the 5.0Ls from 87-93 are often the best ones to look at.

 

[baddad457]

the 5.0Ls from 87-93 are often the best ones to look at.

86 to 2001. And not just the HO 5.0's. Forged pistons are not a requirement for a performance build.

 

[baddad457]

LMAO so you say early 80's were bad?? At what point did they get good???

Starting with the 86 model year. Both the blocks and cranks were vastly improved over what you find in the 79-85's. But be advised there is one casting found in the early 80's that is a keeped, that's the D8VE block. It weighs 16 pounds more than an 80-85 block, and 11 pounds more than a Mex block. The early 50 oz cranks are prone to breaking in half, in stock applications. Starting in 86, the crank castings got better.

 

[Got302ci]

Well I got a 1988 block out of a 1988 town car, you think its a good block with a good crank or is it one of the shitty ones???

 

[baddad457]

Well I got a 1988 block out of a 1988 town car, you think its a good block with a good crank or is it one of the shitty ones???

It'll be fine as long as it wasn't abused.

 

[fordmike1]

I worked in a machine shop doing engines and I never seen a broken 302 crank not saying it doesnt happen but its not common. I have seen a few SBC cranks that were broke and a few 3L V6 fords but never a 302. As far as blocks go it depends on what power level you are planing on building. A stock rebuild with a mild performance any block will be fine but if you are going to build a all out motor then an aftermarket block is what you should build.

 

[cammeddrz]

I have seen a few SBC cranks that were broke

just out of curiosity what level of power is was it putting out? the reason i say is tha you just don't see as many sbf's making as much power as often, i broke a cast iron (not forged or steel) sbc crank, after a year at around 900hp, it broke right on the thrust bearing, i didn't even know it broke until i pulled it out to inspect the bearings due to low oil pressure. out of the 30+ sbc's i have built (most if not all high performance) that is the one and only i have seen broken. ford, chevy, dodge etc. you won't come close to breaking a crank below 650hp, unless the crank's integrity has already been weakened, or you make the common ford-owner mistake of buying a neutral balanced 347 stroker rotating assembly kit, and re-using their counter-balanced harmonic balancer, and flywheel


here is the sbc taken before the broken in half crank:

 

[baddad457]

I worked in a machine shop doing engines and I never seen a broken 302 crank not saying it doesnt happen but its not common. I have seen a few SBC cranks that were broke and a few 3L V6 fords but never a 302..

Both the broken 5.0 cranks I saw were the early 50 oz units. One was in an F150 , the other in my Mother's Lincoln Towncar. Both had AOD transmissions.