Engine rebuild kits

[cobraii74x]

I was looking at one of those engine rebuild kits that summit offers from speed pro... anyone have any thoughts on this...? will it benefit me ?.. its an older 302 with a cam ( soon ) and intake and stuff.. nothing too major.. it probably couldnt hurt.. but anyone have any ideas or suggestions.. ?

 

[zwhitr]

I was looking at one of those engine rebuild kits that summit offers from speed pro... anyone have any thoughts on this...? will it benefit me ?.. its an older 302 with a cam ( soon ) and intake and stuff.. nothing too major.. it probably couldnt hurt.. but anyone have any ideas or suggestions.. ?

Question is what do you plan to do.

If your motor is stock then you probably need to have the block cleaned and bored .030 -.040 over, then you'll need new cam bearings. If you bore the block then you'll definately need new pistons and you'll serve yourself better to have the crank turned and get new rod and main bearings. As soon as you pull the heads off to replace the pistons you want to have a head job done. most people mess up by putting good heads on their old engine building the compression and the old rings can't hold it.

but to answer your question rebuild kits are dime a dozen most are put together well it just depends on what you need you will pay almost 3 times as much for forged pistons and some people swear by them but you can do without unless your gonna run nitrous or something.

what about timming chain
oil pump with heavy duty pump rod
get a good book

one by haynes "How to rebuild your small block ford"

if you gonna do it do it all at once and right don't do a half a-- job.

 

[Dano78]

Well, sure any high-mile engine will benefit from a good engine rebuild. And in the process it allows you to alter a few downsides to the latter-70's 302's. The 74-up 302's worst enemy is compression, add to that the timy cam always seems to use. The 76-78 engines are the worst being at just about 8:1 compression. So getting either a pop-up piston or exchanging to smaller chamber stock head can be pretty cost effective at that point in time.

Be careful when you shop with mail order engine kits. I think just about every supplier that has a kit won't allow you to return it in the case that you order the wrong part(s). IMO I think that's pretty lame. And besides most engine builders can get the same parts for probably a better deal or have a surplus which make them cheaper. you also need to be careful with these kits because they are in a way, false advertising. You think that when you pay the $350 or whatever for the kit, that it is complete. Not true. Most of these kits don't come with a cam, timing set, and make you pay extra for a Hi-vol oil pump, or to upgrade to a doubble roller chain if it is included. Not to mention the upgrade for pistons and then.... are the rings included? See there's alot more to it that what they say. For a novice, I'd say get yourself an engine shop and have them work with you and tell them what you want. FYI- be aware that you'll be $1200 into any rebuilt 302 longblock at minium. Anything less, and I'd be skeptical at what the builder is using for parts. Most use brand names we see or hear of every day.

And I agree 100% with Z, get a book! Haynes and Motorbooks make good small block ford rebuild manuals, definately recommended before you start!

 

[cobraii74x]

wow.. i am glad i asked.. it is a really extensive job... but i was planing to do it over the winter if it does get done so we'll see as the money flows.. first gotta get the done projects at hand and then paint and then