Best stock 302 upgrades

[John Marinan]

I would suggest buying these books, High performance Ford Engine and Parts Interchange. Ford Performance, by Pat Ganahl, How to rebuild Your Small Block Ford, Tom Monroe. The first two available from S-A Designs. The third is HP Books.
You will be able to tell just what you're working on. Some 302 engines are worth adding upgrades, some it's best to start from scratch. Generally speaking the early castings, up to about 1971, are the best.

 

[matt w]

This is some cool advice! I want to ask the same thing for my 73! heh-heh..I guess I will eventially post my own thread!?%);D

 

[WheelHorse]

http://www.mustangandfords.com/techarticles/engine/28898_400_hp_302_small_block/index.html

350+ hp 302 stock ported heads.

Here's with AFR 165 heads

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0307_ford_302_v8_engine_buildup/index.html

http://www.airflowresearch.com/articles/article087/A-P1.htm

 

[Gas Pig]

A k&n filter will help it breath better. Possibly an ignition upgrade. I run the DUI HEI upgrade and it has worked well for years.
.

Dito... the old points ignition system is over a 100 years old tech. Switch to a some kind of solid state ignition sys. It made a big difference in my 302!;D

Also (if your running with a carb) electric choke is stead of automatic choke helps too.

Right now I'm under going a EFI swap. I'll let you know how that compares in the scope of things.