running a 351 cam in a 302??

**Miker** · 11/03/09, 06:28 PM

Can this be done? What about firing order? Other unforseen issues?

**oleguy74** · 11/03/09, 06:34 PM

change to 351 fireing order.

**Miker** · 11/03/09, 06:40 PM

and the best way to do that is,,,,,,,

**Viperwolf1** · 11/03/09, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miker

and the best way to do that is,,,,,,,

Re-arrange the plug wires.

**Miker** · 11/03/09, 06:50 PM

oh, hell no! That just sounds way too easy! Rest assured, with my kinda luck I'll still find a way to muck that up too probably. Thanks for sharing!

**bronko69er** · 11/03/09, 06:54 PM

So bearing sizes and locations are the same?
What about max lift on the the rockers/springs?

**Broncobowsher** · 11/03/09, 06:54 PM

Ok, then use the 302 HO firing order. It is a good compromise between the 302 firing order and the 351 firing order.

**bronko69er** · 11/03/09, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broncobowsher

Ok, then use the 302 HO firing order. It is a good compromise between the 302 firing order and the 351 firing order.

Ha Ha, good one.

fireman1749 · 11/03/09, 07:28 PM

There's not really a point of doing that... just run a 302 cam like the engine was built for... a .484 lift cam with headers, aluminum intake, and 4 barrel carb makes a mean little engine for limited money

**ohpoo2** · 11/03/09, 08:27 PM

Bought a 302 from a guy many years ago did not know he put a 351 cam in and to make pain in the butt long story short when we found out the right timing order it been running fine that way since.

barronj · 11/03/09, 08:38 PM

I put the E-303 in my 351 & the motor runs backwards :P

GOODOLEBOY84 · 11/04/09, 08:14 AM

i read somewhere one time that the 351 cam was actually better for the 302, it supposedly puts less stress on the crankshaft and main bearing, its suppose to make for more even pressure on the crank from front to back, dont quote me on this i just read that, also thats supposedly why for went to the 351 firing order with the 5.0 ho

Hal9000 · 11/04/09, 08:48 AM

No idea about that, but my little brother went the other way at the recommendation of the performance shop that did his engine work. Their reasoning was that there were more cam choices for the 302 than the 351.

ADNICK · 11/04/09, 09:55 AM

I run a 351 cam in my 302....Good friend of mine use to own a large Race Motor and fab shop, mainly "Moutain Motors" but they did a lot of SB Fords also....His son ran a Torino in the stock class, so squeezing torque and HP out of that 302 was important......

I have seen the results of running the dual grind version of the 351 cam in the 289/302 first hand, and it's very good... With the dual grinds one can run a much "hotter" profile and produce more torque and HP than with the common "RV" and/or "Torque" cam. I was amazed when I saw the results in a 71 302 with stock heads, long tube headers, stock style 4V intake, Holley 650 vac sec, 9:1 cast pistons and MSD ing....

Saw the results of multiple runs with the same engine only changes were with cam and lifters (several types of lifters were used from mech to Rhoads)

In each run the engine tested with the temp at 220 deg + or - 5 deg and on 90 oct pump gas

Based on these results I put in a Lunati 351 firing order Voodoo cam with Rhoads lifters (there are many brands offer the same type of grinds)

I also saw the results with the same set up and high flow heads and wow! Some day I will change my heads.....

Later,
Nick

**broncnaz** · 11/04/09, 10:44 AM

Most SBF cams are dual grinds. Usually the ones that are not are produced by companies that started out making ch#vy grinds most of which are not dual grinds. Dual grinds are usually better for SBF's due to the poor exhuast ports.
Every cam is different with different specs seeing more power out of a hotter cam is usually the result. But keep in mind its also higher in the RPM range. the thing with RV type cams is that power is lower in the RPM range.
Most companies offer the same exact grind for 302's and 351's with just a firing order differance. So the 351vs 302 differance is really not a issue. But typically a larger engine such as the 351 can handle a larger cam and lose less bottom end than a 302 with the same cam.