picking parts for my 302
 

I bought a 79 302 awhile ago. Its stock, right now. I am planning on hopping it up a bit, especially since its easier with it out of the car. I have some questions. It came with a HEI (HEI, right?? three wire) distributor, but im thinking about switching it to a single wire one. Does the HEI just plug into a box, and where can i get this box. The reason i wanted to go to single wire was because im confused by the HEI. Second, what is all different between the earlier 302's and mine. I have found that the water pump seems to be different, looking through product catalogs. I am also confused about the camshaft. I am planning on getting a new one, for a little more power. What kind of camshaft do i get, a mechanical, hydraulic, flat tappet, what does this all mean??? And when swapping out cams, what needs to be changed?? Do i just put a new cam and lifters in, then can i leave the push rods alone?? Thanks for any help.

also, does anybody know of a good radiator that i can get for my 302 that will keep it cool, fit in my 65, and not cost alot??

regarding the HEI:
you will have to find a place to mount the coil. The box you speak of is the coil. The best coil is probably a MSD with the matching box (MSD 6A). Remember to make sure the distibutor and the carb advance style should match, either vacume or mechanical.


The early 302s have a different firing order, which affects your cam selection. Early 302's have the oil dipstick in a different place so you will have to plus the oil dipstick hole on the block of the 79. The older 302's use V-belts, new use serpentine. Water pumps are different, which requires different radiators.

For the cam

hydraulic flat tappet is stock is the old 302's -high friction, lower RPM, low/no maintenance.

Mechanical flat tappet is stock in high performance uses. higher rpms more maintenanceand there is less friction This is will require restricting oil flow in stock hydraulic engines.

hydraulic Roller tappet This is the best one to use. Lowest friction low maintenance. You have to get a conversion kit for early motors-available at crane and comp cams.

mechanical roller tappet-reserved mostly for all out racing

When swaping cams change:
timming chain usualy in cam kit
lifters comes with cam kit
custom pushrods (IF NEEDED!!!!)
CAM
high stall torque converted if needed
The cam specs will show any other requirements(carb/intake/headers/compresion/rear end gears/etc.)

The cam controls your firing order you can use 2 different orders
The older 289/302 or the 302HO/351w but the cam gear and the distributor must match. The 351w's order provides less noise vibration and harshness (NVH). If you change to a cam with a different firing order then you just change the order of the spark wire order on the distibutor cap.

Firing orders:
289/302 15426378
302HO/351w 13726548

any 4 row aluminum radiator is fine for most app. There are some good ones that look like the originals that will have a much nicer fit and finish. These can also be ordered to fit newer water pumps (have to water outlet on the other side)

hey, off topic, but i am having brake troubles. the rear left brake caliper keeps blowing apart when the brakes are pressed down, why?? I have the shoes seperated with the little adjuster wheel so that the drums go on snugly. Both sides are set up the same, but only the left side blows apart, not the right. By "blowing apart" i mean the piston shoots out of the caliper. All brake parts are brand new, on a 8inch rear end. thanks for any help.