Engine Builders: Advice Please!

[Spuddyboy]

Hey Doug.

The firing orders are deternined by the cam shafts. Either one will work in either block.

13726548 for late model 302 and 351 motors. If you are using EFI, this is the one to use.

15426378 for early 302.

It should say on the cam sheet the firing order to use.

Either of your blocks would be fine to use for a build. I would pick the one in the best physical shape with the least wear.

The area I would be concerned about would be bottom end strength. The 2-bolt mains can "walk" under high stress, with disatrous results. Putting a mains "girdle" on the motor will strengthen it considerably.

Evan

[YerDugliness]

Well, that's good news, Spuddyboy--thanks so much!

The two choices are: 1985 Thunderbird with over 300,000 miles and 1990 Crown Vic with about 130,000 miles.

[Spuddyboy]

Hey Dugly,

At first glance, I would go with the crown vic motor. As long it is straight and true, and there are no cracks or other problems.

You can use the other for a spare! What a luxury!

Using the 13726548 firing order for a carb motor is no problem. That's what I am using on mine.

I think the EFI electronics were only made with this firing order. You may need to change the cam anyway if you switch from carb to EFI. It may require a different grind.

BTW, there are aftermarket 4 bolt mains for the 302 block (and 351 too). Milodon is one manufacturer.

http://www.milodon.com/main-caps/main-caps.asp

Eagle makes them also.

www.eaglerod.com

They come with a drill guide and such.

I went with the girdle because I thought tying them all together would be stronger.

The 4 bolt caps would still depend on the block webbing for stiffness, I thought that they could still "walk" individually.

Be careful of clearance issues with the girdle! See my build thread. Make sure you get a girdle that will clear a stroker crank, if you are using one. Watch out for the oil pump too.

Regards,

Evan

[tk._in_wa.]

eric, two companies you may want to look into for crate engines are rhino engines.com and carolina machine engines. both offer a variety of 351w eng. pusshing 375-385hp with tourque also in the high 300 range. Ive spoken w/ both co. lately and both offer a good warranty and support. Rhinos web site is being re-configured at the moment so you will need to wait a few days on them. Carolinas web site is www.cmengines.com. they have a good reputation in the hiperf world. their 351 runs for 3600. plus a moddest shipping charge w/ no core charge. You need to provide the fuel pump dist. and carb. edelbrock intake manifold is provided. It would be pretty hard to beat that price from any of the other eng. builders out there.  good luck  TK. in WA.

[Eric]

Thanks TK.  I had heard of Carolina, but not Rhino.  I'll check them out.

-Eric