Roller Engine swap Questions

[68modstang]

Looking for some basic info on swapping a roller motor(1996) into my '68. The question concerns the timing cover, timing chain and fuel pump eccentric. I realize I need to go to a timing cover that allows for a fuel pump. I'm looking for a true roller timing chain. Some say they work with a two piece eccentric and others say they work with a one piece eccentric, additionally others just list date for production. So, which do I use? Thanks for the input.

 

[302 coupe]

why not just put roller lifters into your existing engine. Much cheaper and easier. Crane and comp both make the lifters you need, $350 for the set, they're a direct swap and require no mods to your block. Take your pick from the full range of standard base circle roller cams made for Fords and you're good to go. Be sure to use a steel distributor gear with any roller cam.

 

[68modstang]

It was an easy choice- Brand new Ford 302(NOS) for $1600 delivered. At that point I'd be hard pressed to get the machine work and rebuilding done to my very tired 289. Engine has GT-40 heads which flow better than the originals. My only additional costs are an oil pan/pick-up, timing cover and roller timing chain (my choice). Oh, it also had the full injection system which I'm sell and will pay for the timing chain and some other misc.

 

[302 coupe]

thats not a bad price. Don't forget to get a 50 oz balancer to work with your pulleys, and a 50 oz flexplate/flywheel to match.

 

[68modstang]

50oz balancer and flexplate came with it, however, the balancer is specifically for an explorer with a spacer integrated into the balancer. That'll go in place of a new one and the pulleys to go serpentine.

 

[hurt]

I did the same thing you're doing but I haven't fired mine up yet so take what I say with a grain of salt. If you use the cam that comes with the engine than it won't have the proper dowel for a one piece fuel pump eccentric; regardless of the timing set you use. The dowel on the stock cam is just long enough to go into the timing gear. The two piece eccentric has a piece of metal bent over to secure it to the timing gear. The older cams had the dowel that would go through the gear and into the eccentric.

Another thing you'll have to get is the thermactor plugs. My engine came with only two. They're expensive from ford but trick flow sells them pretty cheap, I got mine from summit (part number TFS-51400265 - $2.99). The internal threads of the plugs won't accept the stock alternator bolt so you'll have to go with a 7/16 x 14 thread pitch bolt.

Hurt

 

[68modstang]

Thanks for the info on the thermactor plugs. They weren't mentioned in the articles I read.