U/SA 302 ffffford build

[Project 392]

EXCEPT.....the cam end play is NOT controlled by the rear cam plug. The cam thrust plate on the front of the block with the (timing chain) cam gear bolted up is what controls cam end play.

Victor in Kingman/Mesa

[goinbroke2]

Originally Posted by Project 392

EXCEPT.....the cam end play is NOT controlled by the rear cam plug. The cam thrust plate on the front of the block with the (timing chain) cam gear bolted up is what controls cam end play.

Victor in Kingman/Mesa

Wow.....I am definately losing my mind....once I read that I was like yeah, I kno....wait..what? What the heck kind of rabbit hole was I going down? That's like forgetting to torque a head in sequence..what did I just do?

Well, if you want to know if you're humble or not, make a simple build mistake where everyone can see. LOL!

Thank you for pointing it out, I'll go to bed tonight a little less stupid! LOL!
(heading out now to stick on a new timing gear and check clearances)

[Project 392]

Many, many times have I realized that experience came from sometimes doing it right , sometimes doing it wrong and trying to figure out which is which. Oh, the goofs I've made!

Victor in Kingman/Mesa

[goinbroke2]

Built a garage once, 26x32. Had the pad poured then used it to build the wall laying down. Once the wall wall completed, stood it up and braced it. 1 wall a day. Cousin came over the following week and laughed at me. Built the walls laying down right?
Umm, yeah, why?
Look at your windows.. I built the wall so the bottoms of all the windows were the same but the tops were all different!🫣🫣 looked fine laying down!😂😂
He said make sure the TOPS of the windows are even for looks.. yeah, knew what I was doing, just lost focus😂😂

[goinbroke2]

Got a Christmas present just before Christmas!! Stocker carb and cam just showed up from the US!
I guess I should wrap it...LOL!

[RobbieRacer]

If you need any advise, contact Mike Graham. He builds the fastest U/SA Fords out there. Many time record holder.

[Doug Hoven]

Definitely a cool thread you got here. I have an 83 mustang GT, but unfortunately with the 83 being stick only, it was not of financial good reason to pursue that as my first stocker build. I remember finding some interesting things when I took apart the original engine a few years ago. I believe the connecting rods had a part number from the early 70s. More interestingly imho was the part number date range on the rod bearings. Some as old as C5 to D8, maybe even E0. I wonder if the factory mismatched bearings to get clearances within tolerance. Good luck with your build!