older 302 cam question

[slow93]

i have a 78 f150 that im about to put a cam and lifter kit in and a friend of mine has a cam that i am considering..it is 525 lift 292 duration. My question is will this cam work with the other stock components(stockheads,rods,crank,pistons,pushrods etc.)..any info would be appriciated

 

[jtfairlane]

A .525" lift will NOT work with the stock springs (single with no damper) on a '78 302. If you upgrade the springs on your stock heads to match the cam, you should be fine.

Double check the firing order on the cam. Cams for real early small block ford's have a 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 firing order, cams for later model 302s have a 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 firing order.

I don't understand why your asking about whether the cam will work with your stock crank rods and pistons. As long as you have adequate piston to valve clearance with a new cam, that should be all that matters.

I would not reuse the stock pushrods.

 

[slow93]

i never even thought about the valve springs. ive been racing for a long time but im just getting into the building aspect..how much are the stock springs good for?

 

[jrichker]

If those are the original springs, they are probably worn and weak. You should plan on replacing them to prevent high RPM piston to valve contact.

 

[JChalfan]

Double check the firing order on the cam. Cams for real early small block ford's have a 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 firing order, cams for later model 302s have a 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 firing order.

I was under the impression that the firing order change happened when Ford switched to roller cams. I beleive any 302 flat tappet cam should have the older firing order. Old 351w's had the newer firing order though if I remember right.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

Jeff

 

[jtfairlane]

I was under the impression that the firing order change happened when Ford switched to roller cams. I beleive any 302 flat tappet cam should have the older firing order. Old 351w's had the newer firing order though if I remember right.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

Jeff

Yeah, I couldn't remember when the change occured off the top of my head, so I thought better to recommend checking versus not checking. No harm in double checking anyway!