Prepping the 302
I decided right off the bat that I was going to completely disassemble the 302, and do a
thorough inspection once I got it on the engine stand. I ordered a Fel-Pro gasket kit (at 1/4
the price that I would have paid for an Essex kit) and in the meantime I wheeled the engine
into the yard to hose it off and scrub it down. I also began my sBay shopping in earnest, and
jumped at the chance to get a lovely rear-sump oil pan and pickup from a gent in Oregon - one
of my key parts concerns. I also began acquiring literature, including a Haynes manual and a
great book about rebuilding 302s.
Once the gaskets arrived, I started taking off parts, and I was soon overjoyed! Believe it or
not, all the "guts" were in pristine shape. New crank, new valves, new pistons and rings,
including an .030 overbore...I almost cried I was so happy. I sandblasted the intake manifold
and water pump, scraped off the old gaskets, and had the engine back together and looking smart
in less than a week.
My big challenge is going to be the front crossmember, because I am really loathe to move it
forward. I am going to explore a variety of options, to include the SVO shorty water-pump and
perhaps an electric fan. I also am going to have to acquire a Duraspark set-up, or some sort
of electronic ignition kit to keep her humming along (trying to avoid points at all costs.)
Once the engine was back together, I started in on the measurements and mock-ups to see about
getting everything into the truck. Broomsticks, blocks of wood, everything but the kitchen
sink was incorporated. I am going to center the engine to allow maximum clearance, and to do so
I am going to rework the transmission mounts. I also am going to lower the mounts about 1/2" to
provide a slight compensation for the lift of the parabolics. From there, I am going to
fabricate the motor mounts to make it all line up well.
Getting into the transmission
created and maintained by
Matt Atkins
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