DManikowski

Hey guys. I'm swapping the 302 out of my truck for a 351 and i wanna give it alittle more power before goin in. I've been told the engine has 120k on it so at the moment i'm not worried about a rebuild. But i do want to put a cam in it. What all is needed for a cam swap? What cam would you recommend? I also figured on putting 1.7 roller rockers in it. What is needed for this? And of course some headers. What brand, not too expensive, do you recommend? I was going to go long tubes with true duals the rest of the way. Thanks guys

LobstahClaw

You might want to research what effect a cam change would have on the fuel injection system.

The fuel injection system is run by computer. It's programmed based on certain parameters, one of them being the cam configuration.

The same might apply when changing from a 302 to a 351. It might or might not need a different computer to run it. It's something you would have to look into.

Thatonekid

Companies make efi friendly cams I know comp cams has them

ma94xlt

What year is the 351? Be sure to you go with right set-up, Hydraulic roller or Hydraulic flat tappet type lifter. Or if you got an F4 (1994) block, you can swap it to Hydraulic roller set-up and use stock push rods from 95-96 F250 or E series with 351. And can use stock mustang lifters, dog-bones and spider hold down.

Also if you swap cam, and install 1.7 rockers, might need to swap springs on the heads. Depending on what cam, the lift might too much for stock springs. And I would stay with 1.6 ratio rockers, since most cams are ground for 1.6's.

And for cam swap will need, intake gaskets, and front cover gasket kit. And would recommend new timing chain and balancer if the rubber in yours is in bad shape.

DManikowski

LobstahClaw- I know comp cams makes efi friendly cams. And the 302 computer will also adapt to the 351. My computer is already running the truck without an automatic trans, because i swapped it for a m5od. haha

ma94xlt- My 351 is a 96. Same year as my 302. I had to get this year because of all my sensors for obdII. So due to my truck being maf i can put a pretty gnarly cam in there haha. But i read on some thread that a cam and 1.7 rockers is a good combo. Also i do know about the springs. They wont go over .500 worth of lift. Thanks for the info on the gaskets. And i will look into the harmonic balancer.

Thanks Guys

dr_bowtie

if you have a roller cam stay with a roller...

when you get ready for a cam call a cam company and discuss it with them... they will help you pick the right cam...

you'll need to know....

rear end gear ratio
Tire size
truck model (2x or 4x)

and some other info.... best to get advice straight from the cam company other than someone who doesnt know about cams...

Personally i wouldn't go much bigger than stock in a truck... I'd go with no more than a 214° duration and I'd advance it 8+° and add a converter as well but thats just me... you build may be different and actual use varies greatly

ma94xlt

Being OBD-II you can get away with little more. Heck if you going to put cam in it, should pick up set of heads an really wake motor up. Can get GT40's pretty reasonable, or nice set of aluminum heads for around $800-$900, some bit cheaper.


When doing my 302 to 351 swap, I went with 351 bored .030 over with Probe pistons, aluminum GT40 x-303 heads, crane gold 1.6 rockers,stock mustang cam, GT40 intake and headman long tubes. My truck is also mass air so that did allow for it. Kinda wish I went with a cam now, but at time all I had laying around was stock mustang.

can check out motor install here---> 94 F-150 build page

DManikowski

thanks dr_bowtie. I had thought about doing that and probably will when i'm set on what i'm doing.

ma94xlt- Honestly i'd love to throw heads on it and a procharger. But for now i'm just looking at getting the best bang for my buck at around 500 bucks. I figure another 300ish for headers, cats, etc. So unless i find really cheap head on craigslist (i do look regularly), they wont happen haha

dirtcrew51m

I learned use a timing chain from an earlier 351w, primarily the crank gear, they are a straight up gear with no retard.

DManikowski

dirtcrew51m- i will look into that