Freshening up a 302

[acindrich]

I'm in the process of putting a motor in my car that is used. It was grimey as could be expected so I'm pulling things off, cleaning them up and am replacing all the seals and gaskets and what not. Question is I've got the heads off and have cleaned the old gaskets off and stare at all the black carbon on the chamber. Should I bother cleaning it off and if so, what would be good to use? Can I use oven cleaner or something since the stuff is kind of baked on. Thanks in advance for any input.

[vector1]

i would say if it is bad enough to need to be cleaned up you should do more than a gasket replacement. since it must run good and you're only doing an exterior clean and gasket replacement i would try to keep everything clean and not dislodge the stuff and possibly complicate reassembly. you don't want to get anything into the ring land areas or between the piston and cylinder wall if you do some cleaning.

[Ron61]

I mostly agree with Vector1, but you might want to check the valves to see if they have any carbon build up that would stop them from seating properly. Also do you know or have any way of finding out what kind of oil was used in the engine before you got it? In y humble opinion, taking the heads off and doing a good cleaning job on the would not hurt. Look at the piston tops and see if they show any signs of carbon build up. Good luck on the motor as the 302 is a great engine.

Ron

[bobcowan]

You can use Easy Off oven cleaner. But, make sure you don't get any on the head surface, as it may corrode the surface.

I use a fine bristle brass wire wheel in a drill motor to get the crud and carbon off. Works wel, it's quick, and doesn't damage the alum.

[acindrich]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

You can use Easy Off oven cleaner. But, make sure you don't get any on the head surface, as it may corrode the surface.

I use a fine bristle brass wire wheel in a drill motor to get the crud and carbon off. Works wel, it's quick, and doesn't damage the alum.

Great advice, thanks!

[Clois Harlan]

I don't know what your budget is but I would check the ridge on each cylinder to see if they need to be reamed off and the cylinders honed. I hate to say this but if you have gone as far as pulling the heads off I would certainly replace the bearings, drop the heads off to be vatted and a valve job. Cheap insurance and simple to do even if the engine is still in the car.

Nothing is worse than being somewhere fun and you hear that deep in the belly of your engine thumping as you are trying to start your engine.

Clois Harlan

[TButtrick]

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

I don't know what your budget is but I would check the ridge on each cylinder to see if they need to be reamed off and the cylinders honed. I hate to say this but if you have gone as far as pulling the heads off I would certainly replace the bearings, drop the heads off to be vatted and a valve job. Cheap insurance and simple to do even if the engine is still in the car.

Nothing is worse than being somewhere fun and you hear that deep in the belly of your engine thumping as you are trying to start your engine.

Clois Harlan

Agreed. I just did this on a 5.0 fox knowing the engine ran well before. Disassemble, check tolerances, bottle brushed the bores (if no lip), new rings, bearing, seals, and reassemble. Not hard. Here is list of parts for freshening a 302 that's within spec.

Part Number/Manufacturer/ Description/Price

M-68 /Melling/Oil Pump, Standard Volume/$28.00
IS-68/Melling/Hardened Oil Pump Shaft/$6.50
CB-634P(8)/Clevite/Rod Bearings/$15.99
MS-590P/Clevite/Mains Bearings/$31.99
154-3601/ARP/Head Bolt Kit/$39.88
2M-4346/Hastings/Piston Ring Set/$75.95
Aug-57/Engine Pro/Timing Chain Set/$35.00
WP-645/Signature Series/Water Pump
PB1084-SS/Engine Pro/Harmonic Balancer 50oz./$177.00
260-1445/FelPRo/Engine Gasket Set/$130.00