Project: Baja or Bust Build Thread

[dangerranger83]

The question is what it's the ratio of the rockers you have now? I can't remember the specs on your heads or what kind you have but it's one of those things you check your piston clearances, make sure your valve springs can do the extra ratio, etc... but everything I've read, they help free up a few ponnies plus reduce friction too, even just going with the 1.6 ratio.

Best advice is to use clay to determine your current clearances and go from there with a bit of math. But seeing as you have valve clearances pistons and using a stock cam, you should be fine, just make sure you have valve covers to clear the taller rockers.

Guys on here and mustang forums might have some good answers too.

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[DelaRanger95']

The ones I have are non roller 1.62:1 ratio. So 1.7s would be the way to go I guess.

 

[DelaRanger95']

While I'm sorting out the roller rockers to buy (pretty set on the 1.7 kit) I picked up a craigslist bargain today.
GT40P upper/lower, Kurban reg, fuel rails, 19lbs injectors, 65mm Explorer TB from a 12.69sec mustang. Barely been used. Also has been what looks like at least a polish on the inside. Jeg's fuel pressure gauge, thermostat, water lines. All for $180!

 

[Scott B.]

I used CompCams 1.6 roller rockers on my 5.0L. If you go with 1.7 rockers, make sure you check for clearance between the valves and pistons.

I'm sure you know that the 1.7s will put a higher load on parts (cam, lifters, pushrods) and create more drag.

 

[-Nathan-]

Looking good, did you happen to check tolerances? how tight was the clearance on your main bearings? The ford spec is known to be a bit to tight, and these engines under a continual heavy load largely benefit from a slight increase....just fyi.

Nate

 

[DelaRanger95']

I had some time today to try the modeling clay inside the combustion chamber. I didn't have my micrometer on hand but really didn't need it. The gap is HUGE. Looks like I'll be ordering the 1.7 Rollers soon. Also had some time to put the Intake plate on that I painted to match.

The Valve Indents in the clay at TDC

 

[dangerranger83]

Those pedestal roller rockers should adds a few ponies to your setup since they clear stuff.

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[DelaRanger95']

Those pedestal roller rockers should adds a few ponies to your setup since they clear stuff.

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Thanks for the advice man. I did it!

I picked up some craigslist-find 1.7 pedestal roller rockers yesterday and slapped em on today. The guy threw in sets of free channels and pushrods. Can't hurt to have extra. I ran another clay test to check piston-valve clearance and it's as close as I can get and feel safe from any valve float issues. They look awesome on there even though they'll be hidden soon.

I think next on the list are some nice ford racing EFI valve covers. Possibly the COBRA POWERED BY FORD or just plain jane FORD RACING. They'll be black or yellow just havent decided.

Then a high flow water pump and power steering.
I'm going to go with underdrive pulleys too to free up some more HP.
I still need to decide on using a new distributor.

Here's some updated shots.

Out with the 1.6's, in with the 1.7's.

Like i said, close!

With the GT40P on.

SOON

And the obligatory America pic. I have tons of these little flags.

 

[dangerranger83]

Now I so want a set of pedestal roller rockers. But since I don't have the pistons with the valve reliefs and I want to put e7 heads on it (going to build a block from scratch someday on the future anyways) im going to have to stick with 1.6 ratio ones for when I do work to this engine.

How much you looking to spend on a dizzy? I say since toy have gone this far, go with an MSD. Some have there own circuit boards in them that you can adjust the advance/retarding of timing, built in rev limiter, etc and no timing springs to mess with...pricy yes but worth it in my eyes since you have put so much into this engine anyways.


Me I went with what I could find was cheapest and got a HEI dizzy for a 302. One wire hook up and I was good to go.

My swap was on that much of a budget.

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[DelaRanger95']

I don't know if I would want to go past the 200 mark on a dizzy. The one I have seems in ok shape and cap and rotor kits are pretty cheap.
I might take a look at finding a deal on one of the MSD's
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com...50L-Efi-Motorcraft-Ignition-Tune-Up-Kit-87-93

Or just a kit for mine. This kit comes with alot and I like the cover it comes with. I really want the yellow spark plug wires though to go with my color scheme.
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-12252CK/86-93-Mustang-50L-Blue-Underhood-Resto-Kit

 

[dangerranger83]

I just need to get wuss that clear my explorer headers, have a few that have been burnt through and are arching on the header causing me to have a back fire at a certain lite rpm....

Hell I have allot that I need to get fine tuned and done, it's just finding the time to do it anymore.

But I will say the 302 that you have built from the ground up is my future plans.

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[DelaRanger95']

Do you have any wire protectors on your spark plug wires? I've seen sets of them for sale. I don't know if expo headers would work in a gen 3 swap. Pretty sure you gen 1 and 2 guys have more space to play with. I've been looking at two different header kits. One from jegs that has motor mounts and oil filter relocation kit included and another kit from summit that are really nice.
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/add-717044

They will fit a 4x4 gen 3 unlike a couple other kits I've seen that are 2wd only. And the ones from James Duff look nice and are long tube but have no O2 sensor provisions.

 

[dangerranger83]

Next set of plug wires will have protectors on them.

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[DelaRanger95']

Hey guys. Work on this thing will be picking up again soon. I've been busy trying to procure my second car for when we strip the ranger down. Had my eye out all summer for an early 90's Miata in nice shape. I may have just found the one about 20 miles away from me. Meeting with the guy this week to give it a test drive. 1990 Miata 180k miles, good top, new brakes/tires, only one small easy to fix dent.

I also have been working on cleaning up the intake for the 5.0 and finally aimed my headlights on the ranger. I keep you guys posted. Here's a link to the car. http://delaware.craigslist.org/cto/4141294992.html