![SEARCH](http://www.mustangworks.com/images/search.png)
![The Mustang Works](http://www.mustangworks.com/images/mw_footer_logo.gif)
© Copyright 1995 thru 2008 - The Mustang Works™. All Rights Reserved.
MustangWorks.com is designed and hosted by Aero3 Media.
MustangWorks.com is designed and hosted by Aero3 Media.
![]() |
#1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Palm Bay, FL
Posts: 432
|
![]() Lately, I'm discovering more and more how tough a factory 302 is. For one, a guy I know Dave is running roughly a 400hp shot of nitrous through his stock block, stock bottom end 302...his only internal modification is an E-303 cam.
But to the point...I finally saw my old motor taken apart and lo-and-behold...a bent connecting rod! Cylinder #8 was down to 120 psi on compression..the connecting rod, all the way up, was bent sideways, which was not only shortening the stroke but causing the piston to try to sit crooked and putting a ton of stress on the crank. Surprisingly, the crank is still fine..no cracks or fractures! If I had run that car much longer though, I figure the connecting rod might've finally snapped..but being a cast job, which is softer than forgings, it just continued to bend! Every single cylinder had signs of blow-by on the pistons. Not to mention the rings were all shot. They could be bent and twisted like pieces to a slinky. And with all these problems, that motor ran a 14.5 at 95 mph. Is that cool or what?! I'll post a pic of the rod up here when I get my camera working again.
__________________
'91 Mustang GT 5.0 AOD Daily Driver Current stats: NEW 302 short block, E-303 cam (@.050, 220/220, .498/.498, 110 degrees), 1.6 roller rockers, Performer RPM heads (aluminum, 1.9/1.6, 60cc chambers), Cobra intake, Granatelli 75mm MAF, Billet AFPR, Equal-Length Shorty Headers, Off-Road X Pipe, Flowmasters, 4.10 POSI 13.73 at 103.8, ~2.2 60' |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Ventura, California
Posts: 8,981
|
![]() I'm very happy for you, and your 400hp friend, but I'd rather be your parts man. Don't get me wrong, I love Fords, but the 302 is actually a lousy design. There aren't enough head bolts, which is why they blow more head gaskets than any other engine, and the oil pump is in the front. Half of the 302's I've torn down have had cracked piston skirts, too.
![]() ![]() I would consider myself very lucky if I were you, rather than start to believe that the endurance you've seen is common. ![]() Take care, ~Chris
__________________
Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local
RED & WHITE! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
289 bent push rod | Emberglo66 | Classic Mustangs | 4 | 04-16-2004 07:06 PM |
Bent valve, heads are off, what mods next? | NYC1 | Windsor Power | 1 | 07-18-2003 09:34 AM |
Seat bracing bent | drudis | Blue Oval Lounge | 2 | 04-09-2002 12:51 PM |
Bent Axle??? | HellRaiser92 | Windsor Power | 4 | 04-25-2001 10:59 PM |
Bent Axle??? | HellRaiser92 | Blue Oval Lounge | 2 | 04-25-2001 07:41 PM |