picking parts for my 302

[65StangerCp]

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