I'm looking for a 302 motor to start rebuilding, but need to start SOMEWHERE instead of just dreaming about it. This swap will be in honor of Jeff Fitcher and my father (who's dream has always been to put a V8 in my 78)
I am not planning on anything high performance, and I don't plan on anything crazy, just want to build up a mild 302 from the ground up; meaning I will be building a 302 gradually, starting with a block, get it bored out to a standard 30 over, then get a set of new forged pistons and rods, finding a used but good condition crank and have it line milled and polished, then start adding things like the oil pump, freeze plugs, water pump, thermostat, etc...
Then will come the heads. Hopefully I can find some heads in good shape that won't require much to be usable and I can just grind the valves by hand (I like doing things old school), replace the springs and valve stem seals, find someone with a good used mild cam followers.
I am hoping for an end result similar to my 78's current 2.3 4cyl which was rebuilt similarly, but with the original crank, block, head and rods with everything else being new. It runs great, doesn't burn oil, doesn't leak, and it has some get up and go, runs smoothly like a new motor should.
This will all be done on a tight budget and may take a couple years to finish, but the end result will be nice, knowing I've done pretty much everything (minus the machine work) myself, knowing what's gone into and touched the motor from start to finish.
Not only will spanning this motor build out be soft on my finances, it will also give me time to obtain a Mustang II oil pan and pickup tube, as well as some nice used headers or stock Mustang II manifolds and motor mounts (if at all possible). Also, by the time the 302 is done, I should have my 07 Saturn paid off and be able to afford the SS Cragars or Ansen Sprints that will accent the attitude of the new motor!
Adding sub frame connectors will be done before the V8 is dropped into place, as well as replacing the radiator and adding an electric fan.
So, is there a specific block I should be looking for, or will any 302 work?
For a mild 302 build (street rod), do I need to match the block with heads?
For the transmission, will the C4 from an early 2.0 be okay behind the motor? I have a spare one with bad clutch packs that I am rebuilding which I hope to use behind the V8 with a Mustang II bell housing.