U/SA 302 ffffford build

[goinbroke2]

What I found so far...

[goinbroke2]

Knowing that "it's not right" I decided I can't leave that cam plug in there, lol. Went today and bought a new plug, pounded out the old and with loctite, pounded the new one in with a proper sized driver.
Now I have .0028 end play, calls for .001-.003 so it's good!

Little by little...

(add another $5 to the growing bill, lol)

[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!

[goinbroke2]

Funny thing is, I joined the army and decided I was done with rusted out cars. I sold my 72 Gran Torino Sport, factory buckets and console that I pulled the 351c and dropped in a 69 428CJ and c6. Decided I needed a new car and I went to the dealer to buy a new 85 (fall of 84) 5.0lx and was told you can't get it. More to it, but I drove away in a 83gt/5.0/5spd. Had around 50,000km's on it when I ripped it apart and went through the ford catalog and spent $15,000. I even had A&J balance the bottom end but didn't realize I should of just asked for a 400hp 302 and probably spent 1/2...Young and stupid, now I'm older...and stupid, lol!

Yeah, I ran the original 5spd and blew up two 7.5's then dropped in the 9". Ran that way for 4 years then drove it in Germany for 3 years, returned to Canada and raced it for 2 years, swapped to auto. That same transmission was in a mud truck and has for the last 8 years or so been in a 75 maverick street car. Since they're known for being "glass", I must of got a good one or didn't abuse it.