I would like to know who sugested this engine builder. Are these your ford friends or chevy guys? Sounds like your engine builder doesn't know fords very well. I think he knows that the ballance changed in 81 so he wants everything from an older block because he doesn't know who to make the newer stuff work. Thats fine, but telling you its because of strength is not true. If you wanted 300hp......no bid deal. roller 302, any aftermark head, RPM or weiand intake, holley 600 and shorty headers.
Austin
Oh and that article about the AFR heads is way bloated. Pure dyno majic. Take stock roller 302, slap a carb on it w/ a rpm intake and you will get about 240hp (max). Then go to AFR heads and you will get 350hp (max). Cam it to rev to the moon w/ a victor and you might get 380hp (but that isn't w/ the stock cam and RPM intake).
Austin
Oh and that article about the AFR heads is way bloated. Pure dyno majic. Take stock roller 302, slap a carb on it w/ a rpm intake and you will get about 240hp (max). Then go to AFR heads and you will get 350hp (max). Cam it to rev to the moon w/ a victor and you might get 380hp (but that isn't w/ the stock cam and RPM intake).