Okay, so I want to change the heads on my 302, as well as resealing the
oil pan. I'm figuring for heads either AFR 185's or AFR 165's, depending upon the pistons (and clearance) I find when I pop the heads off. I have World Windsor Jr. right now. While I have the pan off and the heads off, I plan to pull the pistons and hone the cylinders and put new rings and rod bearings on. I am doing all this with the engine still installed.
However, I have never rebuilt or refreshed an engine before, though I've done quite a bit of auto mechanical work, and built my ERA 289 FIA myself.
The process I'm planning involves removing the heads and
oil pan, pulling each piston out one at a time, honing with a bottle brush hone tool, installing new rings and rod bearings, testing the clearance with the first piston, and making my way from cylinder #1 to #8.
I've never done this before, and I have the requisite books on rebuilding Ford small blocks. However, I'm sure there is a ton of things I should do to do it correctly.
Thus, my query: I would like to hear everyone's advice on this project. Note that this engine was recently rebuilt (probably less than 35k on it and has strong
oil pressure), and I want to limit the project to rings, heads, manifold (Performer RPM Airgap), rockers (I'm thinking 1.7's to give my mild cam a "goose"), and I'll change the water pump and the oil pump as well. I love to tinker with stuff, so don't tell me to buy a crate engine. I want to know what's inside what's under my hood.
So, any tricks of the trade?
DD
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Refresh on a 302: Any Advice or build secrets?
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