Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 302 build up

Hey,

I have a 302 im going to be going through, rebuilding and throw some mild performance parts into. Any suggestions on the best route to go and parts sourcing would be appreciated. In addition I looked up the casting numbers and the head is a 2136477, from what I can tell thats a small port that was not original to the 302. Please correct me if I'm wrong. So from my understanding if I want to go a more performance route I need to find a different head? This engine with be in a DD street driver though

Thanks

What's wrong with it?

Whats wrong with what?

On a street motor small ports are fine. Is the chamber domed or is the D shaped. I don't know what pistons you could run.

The 477 Head was probably original to the engine - if it had/has dome pistons.

The 819 Head - Used for flat top pistons small port.

Agreed, the small port heads are fine and will perform well.

I had a military 302 that was in a crate when acquired, but it was rebuilt, according to the tags in 1972. It had new flat top pistons but the 477 head. It ran fine, but compression could have been improved - so I put an 819 head on it - and the compression improved slightly, but not enough to warrant lost sleep.

Performance modifications can only improve your speed as your wallet is deep.
.

The pistons are flat and I am looking to up the compression anyway. So either way I will need to look into new pistons. Would it be better to track down the larger port head as this will be a street engine and torque is what I'm really looking to increase.

As of now I'm thinking finding the big port head, new valves and springs. Pistons to get the ratio to 9-9.5:1. Mild cam grind. Then clifford intake and headers.

How fast do you want to go?

Its going in a truck, so just comfortably highway cruising, pulling a trailer and being able to pass when I need too 😎. I'm looking for torque than I am anything else.

Pulled a trailer with a Dodge 318 ($$$ to match that power with a GMC), always needed more.

Steer away from the big ports if your intentions are towing. It will kill low RPM air speed where you need torque the most.

Okay after reading your post I did more research, I appreciate all feed back as I am learning as I go on somethings. Towing isn't the goal but more low in torque. So since the head I have is for domes pistons. I could track down the 270 head. For the flat top pistons. Do you think that would be a better application for low end torque and daily driving?

Thanks

The closed chamber allows for quench, but you have to set the distances to get the right figure.