302 build questions, what fits?

[bearscat]

I am building a small block engine for 1967 F100 and need some help with parts selections. Due to a bad craigslist purchase I now have two engines to build off of, a complete 302 or a 351W short block non roller. If I have to do a complete build I will use the 351 but if I just need a top end then I will likely use the 302. I am looking for something with a lot of sound and good street performance but don’t need anything over the top.

I want to use a set of GT40 aluminum heads with 202int valves and am worried about clearance issues. I also have an old new set of roller rockers I believe they are 1:7 but will have to verify. This is not a daily driver and I don’t expect to take any road trips in it so I want a big noisy cam. Any ideas what will clear or what I should stay away from?

The good parts I have are:
302 could be freshened up
351w needs rebuild
E7TE heads could be freshened up
GT40 heads with 202 valves new (not purchased yet but have a deal that’s hard to resist)
1:7 roller rockers
302 edelbrock intake new
302 MSD distributor new, will this work on the 351?

[powerstroke2501997]

as far as cams, go alot of ppl run e303, (believe an f303?)x303 is probably the nastiest one i have ever heard in a mustang all for the 302. u have to watch out for clearence issues with the x cam though but it does sound pretty nasty. and as far as heads personally on my mustang i like the gt40p's thats been ported and polished a lot of my friends spent the money and use aluminum but takes a lot more heat to warp cast. my mustang has stock pistons, high volume oil pump, bigger injectors, cam dont remember witch one have to look. trick flow upper and lower, cold air, heads, headers, so on and so forth and it ran damn good

[bearscat]

I am not doing a roller cam, I have heard there can be clearence issues with the 202 valves?

[xjeeper]

the clearance issues come with the valve lift, 1.7 rockers will make it worse. My brother and I built a 289 with 2.02 valves, you can check for clearance and notch the piston tops for clearance if needed. On a 302 the next smaller valves will do just as well because the will be less shrouded by the cylinder walls.

[MyTractorsSexy]

be a cheapo and port the 351 heads and throw them on the 302 and just freshin it up a bit. bit better milage and probably a bit cheaper in the long run swapping over the 351 heads.

[garbonzo1991gt]

393 Stroker is the way to go man... It should make over 400hp with some good heads and intake and will have a torque curve like a table top. 302 pistons, 351 connecting rods and you'll need to buy a stroker crank(~3-400 new.) Used to call it the poor man's stoker kit.

GT40 heads are ok... They are a step up from stock 302 heads but not by much... You could find used trickflow heads for less than 600 bucks out there. Also there's a company on ebay called ProComp that bought all edlebrocks old castings and now they make heads on their own name and the port the **** out of them. Under a grand usually for heads worth twice that.

The distributor for the 302 will not work in the 351. You need a 351 distributor. Get a custom cam made for your application. Usually don't cost much more than an off the shelf cam and you can get it made for the 1.7 rockers that you already have. Plus you get the lumpy cam with the power band you want.