I'm not new to working on engines, but I've never done anything non-stock before so forgive my inexperience on this subject. I have a running 1971 302 in my car currently and have been gathering parts for some minor upgrades. In the long run I'd like to go EFI, but I don't know if that's happening right now. In the end I'd like a weekend cruiser that I can take on the highway comfortably and maybe take to the track once or twice a year. So far I have a set of GT40 heads fresh from the machine shop and an Explorer 8.8 rear with 3.73 limited slip gears and discs. I plan on either an AOD or T5 depending on how things work out but for now the C4 will probably stick around. The current engine is a stock intake and 2bbl carb. I have the intake from the Thunderbird, but am not opposed to some upgrades in this area. I have several decisions to make at the moment. The first is what shortblock to use. Here are my current options. 1 - Running 1971 block with 75k miles. Car burns oil, may just be valve seals. Oil pan dented and needs replaced. Haven't had it off to check the oil pickup yet. 2 - 91/92 Thunderbird 5.0 HO block. 125k miles. Top end removed, no obvious damage. Turns easily by hand. I'm wondering if the advantages of the newer shortblock are worth the extra effort, associated parts for different balance, and machine shop costs. If I should do any work to the 71 shortblock if I use it. If switching to EFI in the future has any weight in this decision. If I do use the newer block, I believe I've been told that the pulleys are closer to the block than other cars, is this correct? If that's the case do I have to use brackets from a Thunderbird to get everything to line up correctly? Would it be easier to swap to an entire serpentine setup from a different car? The camshaft is another area of debate for me. The GT40 heads hopefully will get some 1.7 rockers. I assume the GT40 heads, rockers, headers, and a new intake are enough reason to upgrade the cam. If I build the engine carbureted for now is it right to assume that swapping to EFI later will warrant a cam change? If so maybe it would be worth it to go for the EFI swap now. If I go for the EFI I have access to a 5.0 Explorer intake. Are the GT40 and GT40P versions the same? Will they fit under the stock grabber hood? Sorry for the flurry of questions... I've been reading up for a while and there is just so much information to sift through. I feel like I'm doing a lot of reading and no wrenching, so I thought I'd ask for some help.
use the t-bird block. use the pullies, timing chain cover, and oil pan from the 70s motor. that will give you the most for your money. you will need a roller cam distributer gear for the roller cam. 85 mustang gt stick shift distributor will work and is inexpensive.
If I were in your shoes I would build a late model block. Take advantage of the roller cam. A litter beefer block. Use the gt40 heads Not the " p" heads Early timming cover good for carb. ( fuel pump mount ) Late timming cover will need to drill hole for dip stick ( no fuel pump mount ) EFI top end will fit under hood ( see my gallery ) You will need to use late model pulleys on late mod. 3 bolts virs. 4 bolts.
Yes you can, should be able to pick one up from a cam manufacturer. I would go with the HO as well. http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0307_ford_302_v8_engine_buildup/index.html
The heads I have are the three bar GT40 so I'm good to go there. I made sure of that when I pulled them. I know that the Mustang 5.0 intakes work, but I thought I read somewhere that the Explorer intake was taller so I wasn't sure it would fit. Maybe I read the truck intake was taller and in my head assumed that meant Explorer intake too. Which pulley are you talking about here? Both my Tbird water pump and 71 water pump are 4 bolts. The Tbird pump is reverse rotation however correct? This article didn't load for me, is it subscription viewable only?
The Explorer intake fits no problem, I have one. That site should pop up. You can search car craft 302 in google to get to it also. Pretty impressive power out of a carbed HO. They did heads, rockers, intake and headers. It made 405 HP and 380 lb-ft torque.
I figured out the page wouldn't load because I'm using Firefox 4 beta. It works in Internet Explorer.
