Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

[Jilly - 5]

My Nova 210 (1976) has a re-built Ford 302. After the re-build (2003), the prior owner simply had all the old bolt-on stuff re-bolted on. The ignition is old distributor with points and advance weights. The carburetor is the same (4 bbl, vacuum on second barrels), same spark coil, etc. Would electronic ignition improve performance, eliminate hard stating from dampness and sweating, etc? Any body jazzed up a 302?<br /><br />Is it everyones' experience, in general, that your inboard never starts after laying up for almost eight months?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

I have a '73 302 Ford model 888, mine always starts right up, but I do have an electric primer that feeds the carb. I would love to hear some of the answers to the "jazzed up" though. I don't think that you can get too much more horse-power with just a new ign. system......With the bigger carb. you're probably getting 215HP, I don't think you can squeeze much more out of it.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

My '76 888 is "jazzed" a bit, but not with bolt ons. Mine was rebuilt a couple years ago my way (conservative, but not stock). The stock ignition is ok, but I installed a Pertronix ignition and coil in mine and have easier starts and throttle response seems more crisp. In my quest for a bit more power, I'm also retiring the tired 2bbl rochester in favor of a new higher performance intake and 4bbl carb. Hope to be pushing 230-235. They are very reliable if maintained. Mine died from overheat after the previous owner grounded it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

Put a Chevy in it...... <br /><br />KA>>>>BOOOOOOOOM...... Lightning Strike!!!!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

You won't find any motor that is more durable and reliable than a 302. If your periferals are aging you can have that issue with any brand motor.<br /><br />If you have room under your engine cover you can drop a 351W Ford right in. The only mods you would have to make would be the conection between your exhaust manifolds and the outdrive outlet.<br /><br />For the 302 you can stroke it to 331 cid with great durability. Do a little head work, stick a 600 cfm 4 bbl and a little better cam and you'd have a considerable increase in power and torque.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

Originally posted by Boomyal:<br /> You won't find any motor that is more durable and reliable than a 302.

I have to agree, makes you wonder why the windsor went the way of the dinosaur.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[JasonB]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

Had to be about $$$ Aldo. I have the 4.6l V8 that replaced the Windsors in my F-150 truck. Respectable motor, but should have more power. It's always funny to me that the engine in my boat (5.0l) is larger than the one in my tow vehicle (4.6l), and the 302 has more hp as it should be 225-235 and the truck is rated at 220. Go figure.....

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

From what I have always noticed is that Fords love to smoke. They make great mosquito sprayers. <br /><br />I have always heard that the Chevy 350 is the most reliable workhorse out there.

 

[DJ]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

The guy asked what some have done to "jazz up" a 302. He didn't ask for Chevy vs. Ford "one liners".<br /><br />1. Electronic ignition is an easy refit. You'll get the most bang for the buck there. At least in reliability and reduced maintenance<br /><br />2. Another option may be closed cooling. That will allow the engine to run warmer=more efficient.<br /><br />3. Carburetion can be changed. However it MAY require a manifold replacement.<br /><br />The 302 can be made to reliably put out plenty of ponies. The questionable part of the system, if the engine is hopped up, will be the drive.<br /><br />JasonB,<br /><br />Marine HP ratings and automotive HP ratings are not comparable. Marine will ALWAYS be higher.<br />The duty cycles are completely different. Your 4.6 has more torque and a much flatter torque curve than a 302 ever dreamed of.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

Manipulator, I'd invite you to take a cruise behind me and let me know if you see any smoke. A Ford has no more inherent cause to smoke than any other V8. Worn rings will make any of them smoke....<br /><br />Good points DJ.

 

[8AteEight]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

Well, im my experience (mostly in mustangs ) you can make a Windsor as fast as you can afford. <br />Ill try to list these from cheapest to most Fun.<br /><br />Changing out the ignition was good for a couple of ponies. I believe MSD and Mallory ign. both make a good setup for marine apps.<br />If you can find any, underdrive pullies were a great move on my friends boat. But I dont think you can use all the same ones as you can on a car ???<br />A new cam was a really good move for me. But be very careful to get one designed for the RPM range you are gonna use it in. You dont want a low range/torque cam if your looking for high speed and racing.<br /><br />Along with the Carb/intake that was mentioned, anything thatll make the exhaust flow better works wonders. If you dont want to go all out with headers (expensive for boats, or do a hack job with the auto ones) and a new exhaust setup; Take off the manifolds and have them ported.<br /><br />Lastly (and I recommend this highly) Stick a supercharger on that bad boy. Sure, its a couple Grand, but whew what a rush. At least till the outdrive shafts grenade.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

Ill say what I said in another post regarding the same question, and I also was wondering how to get more horses when I started out too. I quickly realized that you will get infinitely more bang for your buck with just a good tune-up(make sure engine is at its potential currently) and dialing in prop and tab solutions. With some time on the water testing and less than $400 you can gain what could percievably be a 50 horse upgrade to your set-up.<br /><br />Getting an extra 50 horses out of an engine rated between 220-250 would be quite the expensive proposition.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

Originally posted by JasonB:<br /> Manipulator, I'd invite you to take a cruise behind me and let me know if you see any smoke. A Ford has no more inherent cause to smoke than any other V8. Worn rings will make any of them smoke....<br /><br />Good points DJ.

If I wanted to see smoke I would drive behind DJ's boat.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

If I wanted to see smoke I would drive behind DJ's boat

 

[DJ]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

If I wanted to see smoke I would drive behind DJ's boat

Care to elaborate? What does that mean?

 

[llerrad]

Re: Improving Ford 302 reliability/performance

Got 1974 302 in my rig and it's bullet proof, all stock points etc starts quick every year runs hard no smoke and never done much to it. Don't belive electronic ign will do much but when time for tear down will go to Holley for throttle body conversion. Until then I keep feeding it Chev's.