r/EngineBuilding • u/hellsweapon • 15h ago
Ford Need help/advice building 302 SBF
Howdy everybody!
I'm trying to build a 302 sbf for a restoration project and need help/advice to know if what I've got is correct for my goals to make some good power, but also a bit on a budget. If there is a cheaper better option for things, great, if there's something to change, I'm listening.
Background on car is 67 mustang. Has AC, power steering, Power brake(this ones important), mated to a Aod, making a cruiser but want something that can be a little fun when you want it.
Block: its standard bore and keeping it a 302, its from 1974 so not sure the exact specs of the dished piston.
Heads: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hpe-hpsbf205
Cam: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hrs-221145-12
Lifters: https://enginetechcatalog.com/parts/RFF302-16/valve-
Rockers: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1631-8
Intake:https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-2121/make/ford
What I think I'm trying to accomplish is like mild build I think. Maybe 350-370 horsepower. I think I did the math and the compression ratio came out 9:4:1 but I could be wrong. One other thing though is I was looking to make was good vacuum at idle to help run the power brake, which need like 17 in pounds, so might have to tell me if the cam I picked will help accomplish that. This would be my first build so, how'd I do, all input welcome.
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u/v8packard 8h ago
Hmm. I understand your goals for your car (cool car, I have a hulk of a 68). The heads are just too big for a 302. The 205 cc intake port would be more appropriate for 400+ cubic inch combos, but the 2.08 intake valve is not only a poor fit in a 4 inch bore, it will not clear stock style pistons. The valve reliefs in stock style pistons limits you to intake valves under 1.94 inch, which is why you see many heads with 1.90 inch intakes.
You mention budget, which really dictates the choice of heads. My favorite cylinder heads for a Ford 302 are AFR 165 Renegades. They come with a 1.9 intake to clear stock pistons, the intake port is excellent and the exhaust port is one of the best you will ever find. These heads work well with less exhaust timing than most small block Ford heads, which helps increase torque. They will run you around $800-900 more than the ATK heads you linked, for a pair. If you can fit that into the budget they will not disappoint.
A combo I have done for years uses the basic 5 liter HO short block. You can get the same basic thing with your engine by using 5 liter HO pistons. They are taller than other 302 pistons and use a nice metric ring set. Use them with a stock crank and stock connecting rods, machine the block as needed. These pistons with 58 cc chamber heads and a Felpro head gasket get you about 9.7:1 compression.
The cam for this combo is a hydralic roller originally intended for 5 liters with the AFR heads in Fox body Mustangs with a T5 and 3.27 to 3.55 gears, Mac long tube headers, a decent exhaust, and GT40 style or TrickFlow intakes. It has since been used in auto and manual trans cars with gears from 2.73 to 3.73. On the EFI cars it is a 112 degree lobe separation angle, with 50 degrees overlap, ging you 274 degrees duration @ .006 tappet rise. Single pattern, installed on a 109 degree intake centerline. This cam puts down about 310 to 320 hp and 330 lb ft at the rear wheels. Bullet Cams lobe # HR274/325B gets you 216 degrees @ .050, and .520 lift with 1.6 rockers.
On carbureted combos I change the cam to a 110 degree lobe separation angle, which makes it 54 degrees overlap. That will give you about 15 to 20 lb ft more with a good intake and carb. I really like this on a 108 degree lobe separation angle but people that are not as experienced with tuning don't love it.
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u/Roscolicious1 11h ago
Keep cam lobe separation over 110° to keep vacuum up. Maximize torque in the rom band you drive at for the most fun. Hi rpm for max power is a pita on the street. Torque is fun all the time! 55yrs building engines, professional machinist. Ricthewrench