Question on rebuilds

Jace · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2002, 10:10 PM

i have just recently a guy about rebuilding my 302. he said that it would be $1165, and then another $300-400 more for some performance parts, like a better cam and flat top(head?) pistons(?). is this a good price for all of this? and what excatly do those pistons do?

Jace

Jace · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2002, 10:12 PM

it should be- just recently called a guy-........

computerworks · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2002, 10:54 PM

Flat top pistons = More compression provides more power. The stock dished pistons in a stock 302 provide about 7.8:1 compression. If you want more compression, Flat top pistons not only provided the desired compression increase, they also removed sharp edges from the combustion chamber. Since the 302 is prone to detonation, anything you can do to smooth the combustion chamber will help. The estimated compression ratio with Flat-tops is 9.0 or 9.5:1.

paraphrased from a 302-rebuild article

...but I would wait for a 302-expert to respond for more hands-on info

Jack21 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 01:55 PM

I get nervous whan I hear, "A guy", instead of "A machine shop" that will actually do the work. I smell a hose job.

Flat top pistons? Most replacement pistons are flat tops, with valve reliefs.

What is the motor in? What will the motor be used for? Daily driver? What year is the motor? Is it a roller block? Carbureted or fuel injection? What kind of fuel do you intednd to use? Regular, plus, premium? This will determine what compression ratio you should use.

What kind of performance do you want from the motor?

Not an easy question to answer, but we'll get there.

Jace · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 02:26 PM

well, "the guy" is the person that i talked to at the machine shop, the motor is a '68, in a '68 fairlane 500, 2dr hard top. it will be used for daily driving, with a little...legal...racing on the side. its carbureted, 2 bbl now, but soon it will be 4. most likley i'll be using plus..getting expensive now.. i dont quite know what you mean by "roller block". but i just want good street performance.
hope this helps..

Jace

gomersdad · #6 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 06:01 PM

HI Jace It sounds to me like you are looking for a stock rebuild with a few minor upgrades, like 4bbl carb and a little better cam. the 68 had higher comp. pistons,so stock pistons for that year would be fine.get some references from this guy talk to some people that have used his shop.one other important thing is the 68 did not have hardened valve seats, so it is important that these be changed or you will have to run a lead additive so that your valves will last.
Ken