I would like to wrap-up my engine swap....so I have some questions of sorts. First I was wondering what the best stock points distributor for a 302 would be (ie. what years) next I would like to know if I need to run a bronze gear on the distributor....due to the roller cam? It's a 1989 crate motor. I guess the other issue is an old question of pullies. Because the ballancer has a 4 bolt crank pully.......and I'm running a 68 timing cover, I was told to get the stuff from a 70's truck. Is the alternator bracket going to be different too...will I have to get it from a 70's truck? The timing cover seems the same as the 68 one I'm running but I'm not sure? I've been to autozone and back for 3 different water pumps....If I go back again I want to know it will work. with the 70's pullie is too deep to fit over the 68 water pump. I wonder if the front edge of the balancer is in a different plane based on engine year or cam type or ballancer size and so on...........I realy don't want to have to get a different timing cover too........any good sources for vacume diagrams? Oh, If I go with the duraspark how does one wire this Oh yea another question....how do I time this thing? tips on finding TDC can I get a timing pointer from a 70's motor too? The fireing order is like a 351w right? Thanks a bunch, JC I didn't proof read
Ok i actually have this conversion in my car and it is fairly easy. First of all i used the mallory unilite distributer there is no points just a lazer pickup and the gear is right for the cam from the factory. as far as the pulleys go i went down and got an alternator bracket from an 86-93 ford mustand along with the pulleys and tensioner this way you can use the serpintine belt. BTW i also used my 76 timing cover and everything worked out great. It is all basically the same parts throughout the year models with minor differences. Also just in case you were wandering, doing the serpintine belt system is easy and it looks really clean. Hope i have helped a little at least. Lonnie
you are right about the harmonic balancer,one sticks out futher because it is longer, I put a 72 water pump on a 69 351w and crank pully was too far aft.
Here are my suggestions, don't even think about a points distributor, they are ok for original resto's but the duraspark is much better and less maintenance. Check Charlie Pings link for wiring diagrams for everything. To find TDC with heads on, I take some toilet paper and wad it up to fit in the #1 spark plug hole(first one on passenger side) rotate engine with balancer bolt and ratchet, when you approach TDC the wad of paper will come firing out like a spit wad(compression stroke) check damper markings in relation to pointer. If it is close, you can either set it on TDC or stick a wooden pencil into #1 hole and continue rotating until you feel piston reach it's highest travel, should be on TDC with pointer, + or - a degree or two. Set the distributor down in the block with rotor facing #1 cap tower, may have to rotate engine some to mesh the gear etc. BTW, if you are bored, take all the plugs out and put the paper in each one then spin the engine over with the starter, sounds like 4th of July and toilet paper flying all over creation. I have to stop now to make an appointment with the shrink, don't you know.
You need a steel gear for the stock roller cam. Mallory will come with a cast iron gear. It won't last.
ok so I'll go with a duraspark.....as well as a serpintine setup. Am I to understand that the 68 timing cover will work with this set up? thanks so far.....another Q for old guy....if I put paper in all the holes and turn the engine over wont some of the cylinders be sucking the paper in?
You gotta pack em in tight like a cork, hum, I wonder if a cork would work better. Anyway it's just having a little fun, it will work for finding TDC on the #1 cyl. only. If you are not comfortable with doing it that way, use the old finger in the hole trick. Remove the valve cover and watch int and exh valve rocker arms on #1 cyl. when both are closed at the same time and you are on compression stroke with piston on the top of it's travel, bingo, you have found TDC. Most Chilton manuals and many other automotive repair books available at the local library, can explain all these procedures at no cost. Take a little time and try to analize each thing you want to do, one at a time otherwise stuff gets real confusing, especially for us over the hill guys. We could get into the real mechanics of degreeing the cam and finding TDC with dial indicators and a degree wheel, but lets keep it simple for now. Hope you have fun doing this project and learn from it. Good Luck and may the good Lord take a liking to ya.
The gear that comes on the mallory unilite will work for the 89 302 roller cam. This comes frome the word of mallory rep and the fact that i have been running this same setup in my car with an 89 roller motor for about two years and had no trouble, not even a bad spot on the gear. Just my $.02
thanks all Yea, I've learned alot and still am. I guess I get impatient and try to solve everything at once.... When I'm finnished with the conversion I'll tell the life story that sourounds it and that has made it that much more complicated.
