What can I do to my Ford 302?

[MR nova @#25]

Im working on my second 1976 Wellcraft Nova 250 offshore... Some guys like old Fords and Chevys I love old Wellcraft, I have three of them sitting around
My question is, I want to put twin 302's back into this boat. What can I do to get the most HP out of the motors with out installing High comp piston and Cam? Im not trying to make a Go fast boat, thats what my XL is for. This boat will be used on the chesapeake as my offshore fishing boat. hard top and radar to follow. It has 2bbl carbs. If I install a 4bbl intake and carb would it make more HP, or just burn more gas.. lol I want to avoid punching holes in the transom also.

Thanks in advance

 

[86 century]

Re: What can I do to my Ford 302?

Gt40 heads,four barrel carb,roller cam

This is my opinion so take it for what its worth. The 302 only has a 3" stoke witch puts a limit on its low end torque(dont get me wrong there are hard to beat on the drag strip at 8k plus rpm).
If you are a ford man then swap them out for the 351w lot more grunt out of the hole and a bit less fuel.


Our supra is ford powed 240hp 351w runs smooth great power out of the hole.

Good luck

 

[MR nova @#25]

Re: What can I do to my Ford 302?

they are the old Mercrusier 888's

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: What can I do to my Ford 302?

I'd say keep it simple: a performance dual-plane intake an Edelbrock 1409 carb. You won't burn any more fuel really than the 2bbl, but the 4bbl will give you extra grunt when you want it. You can get a cam from comp cams from their Xtreme 4x4 models that will give you some low end grunt, just be sure not to go too crazy or you'll run into reversion problems. No need to go roller cam, and I don't think the GT40 heads are going to make that much difference when your rpms will max out around 4500 rpms. If you do want the grunt from a different engine, with minimal changes to anything else, get the 351w. You could always built a stroker 302, (347 I think??) but it's still more involved than just getting a 351w and getting the same HP for less money.

 

[MR nova @#25]

Re: What can I do to my Ford 302?

Thanks.. I like the 351 idea.