piston to valve clearance prob...HELP!

[1987StangL268X]

I am using a stock 302 shortblock, stock forged pistons. I ordered a set of edel's 2.02 1.60 perf rpm alumm's. Obviously not clearing the stock pistons. well i started shaving away at the pistons and checking clearance and got somewhere to believe that is near 70-80 thous. I did the clay trick about 10 tens and i am done doing it. whats the least amount of piston to valve clearance someone has ever ran? And please give me positive answers,lol! Im ready to get the beast in!! HELP!

[Dark_5.0]

Originally Posted by 1987StangL268X

I am using a stock 302 shortblock, stock forged pistons. I ordered a set of edel's 2.02 1.60 perf rpm alumm's. Obviously not clearing the stock pistons. well i started shaving away at the pistons and checking clearance and got somewhere to believe that is near 70-80 thous. I did the clay trick about 10 tens and i am done doing it. whats the least amount of piston to valve clearance someone has ever ran? And please give me positive answers,lol! Im ready to get the beast in!! HELP!

What cam are you running. I run a .566/.566 lift cam with 218/224 duration @.050 and I have 2.02 1.60 valves with stock untouched pistons.

You should have ask this question before you started grinding.

Check out this link.
http://forums.mustangworks.com/showthread.php?t=2003

[1987StangL268X]

the cam is edl-2221....5.20 lift 5.20 exh. thats weird on the fact that yours clears! int dur. 227 ex dur. 234 with a 1.6 roller rocker. hmm. have you measured your p to v clearance?

[Dark_5.0]

Originally Posted by 1987StangL268X

the cam is edl-2221....5.20 lift 5.20 exh. thats weird on the fact that yours clears! int dur. 227 ex dur. 234 with a 1.6 roller rocker. hmm. have you measured your p to v clearance?

Well I have different heads etc..., Your cam has more duration than mine which makes the valve stay open longer.

I had .132 clearance on the intake valve and way more than enough on the exhaust valve.

I had my cam custom made for my motor. The guy told me it would clear and it thankfully it did.

Good luck,

[1987StangL268X]

well being that the rev limiter is set @ 5700 and i run 1/8th mile i do not think i have to worry alot.... Dont you hate the people that think shifting a 302 @ 6,000^ is going to make more power!? I shifted my almost stock 302 a little higher one time @ 5900 and could tell it nosed over after about 5700 5800. Maybe with a big stroked motor 6000^ may be ok but come on a 302!!! lol

[1987StangL268X]

Crap, why didnt I go with the e303 camshaft!?? Well i guess if i bend valves then i will switch. i have forged pistons so hopefully it wont pop one......you think?

[Unit 5302]

Originally Posted by 1987StangL268X

well being that the rev limiter is set @ 5700 and i run 1/8th mile i do not think i have to worry alot.... Dont you hate the people that think shifting a 302 @ 6,000^ is going to make more power!? I shifted my almost stock 302 a little higher one time @ 5900 and could tell it nosed over after about 5700 5800. Maybe with a big stroked motor 6000^ may be ok but come on a 302!!! lol

The 302 (4.00"x3.00") is superior for higher revving applications than a stroked 302 because the longer the stroke, the faster the piston has to move in order to make a single rpm. There is a finite maximum piston velocity before a rod or other component fails so having a shorter stroke means you can rev the engine higher. Having a smaller displacement means the same amount of airflow will enable a theoretically higher engine power production number by using rpms to obtain that performance. Basically, in a naturally aspirated environment, rpms = potential horsepower. Whether or not the engine is capable of delivering maximum horsepower at a given rpm, regardless of its displacement, depends entirely on the engine's design.