Small block Ford 302 · 5.0 roller · GT40P heads
Build a stout 302 small block Ford without breaking the bank.
We follow one $399 junkyard roller 302 from a mid-90s Ford Explorer through 17 step-by-step guides. Use the photos, part numbers and prices to plan each stage of your own engine build.
17Step-by-step guides
243Photos and diagrams
11Build videos
5Build stages
Build stages
See all 17 guides Follow the engine build one stage at a time.
013 guidesPreparationBring home a junkyard roller 302, tear it down to the short block and paint it fire engine red.
026 guidesFirst StepsInstall the oil pump, camshaft, timing chain, fuel pump eccentric and oil filter adapter, and see the machined GT40P heads.
035 guidesSecond StepsFit the timing cover and water pump, oil pan, cylinder heads, mechanical fuel pump and shorty headers.
042 guidesValve TrainInstall the roller lifters, then set the roller rockers and pushrods at zero lash.
051 guidePulleys & BeltsInstall the harmonic damper, also called the balancer, on your roller 302.Build sheet
Work through all 17 steps in the order we built the engine.
- 01
Obtaining Donor Engine · PreparationThe Donor Roller 302 Small Block Ford Engine - 02
Cleaning Donor Engine · PreparationEngine Cleanup & Tear Down - 03Painting Engine Block · PreparationPaintingThe Small Block Ford 302 5.0 H.O. Red
- 04
Oil Pump Installation · First StepsHow to Install the Oil Pump & Screen on a Small Block 302 V8 - 05Camshaft Installation · First StepsHow to Install a Camshaft in a Small Block Ford 302 5.0 | E303
- 06
Timing Chain Installation · First StepsHow to install a Double Roller Timing Chain Set & Gears - 07
Heads Machined · First StepsGT40P Heads Freshly Machined & New Crane Cams Beehive Springs | Paintjob - 08
Fuel Pump Eccentric · First StepsFuel Pump Eccentric Installation on 302 Small Block Ford | Mechanical Fuel Pump - 09
Timing Cover & Water Pump · Second StepsTiming Cover & Water Pump Installation Stage 1 - 10
Oil Pan Install · Second StepsOil Pan Installation on Small Block Ford 302 Roller - 11Cylinder Head Installation · Second StepsHow To Install Cylinder Heads on Small Block Ford 302 5.0 | GT40P Heads
- 12
Fuel Pump Installation · Second StepsHow To Install Mechanical Fuel Pump on Small Block Ford 302 - 13
Oil Filter Adapter · First StepsInstalling the Oil Filter Adapter on Small Block Ford 302 - 14
Lifter Installation · Valve TrainHow To Install Roller Lifters on a Small Block Ford 302 5.0L Roller Engine - 15Rocker Arms & Pushrods · Valve TrainHow To Install Roller Rockers and Pushrods on a Small Block Ford 302 | GT40P
- 16Harmonic Damper · Pulleys & BeltsHow To Install a Harmonic Damper (balancer) on a Small Block Ford 302
- 17
GT40P Header Installation · Second StepsGT40P Header Installation | Installing GT40P Specific Ford Racing Shorty Headers
Most photographed guide · Step 11
How To Install Cylinder Heads on Small Block Ford 302 5.0 | GT40P Heads
This is one of the biggest steps in your 302 budget build. The cylinder head installation is a thorough process and there are steps you must take to ensure proper cylinder head alignment and torque specifications.
28 photos1 videoTFS-514004209333 PT1154-360170 ft. lbs.
Read the cylinder head guide Start here
Read the conversion notes before you swap an EFI 302 to a carburetor.
The reference page lists what to change on an EFI roller block, the torque specifications for the small block Ford 302, the cylinder numbering and how to plug the dipstick hole.
Torque Specifications For Small Block Ford 302
| Bolts or Parts | Lube or Sealer | Torque to: |
|---|---|---|
| Main Caps | Engine Oil | 70 ft-lbs. |
| Connecting Rod 260, 289, 302 | Engine Oil | 25 ft-lbs. |
| Cylinder Heads | Use Sealer | 70 ft-lbs. |
| Rocker Arms | Engine Oil | 20 ft-lbs. |
| Oil Pump | Engine Oil | 25 ft-lbs. |
| Center bolt (Harm. Balancer) | Thread Locker | 90 ft-lbs. |
Parts list
Buy the parts we used in this build.
The parts list collects 12 parts from the guides, from the Crane valve springs and retainers to the ARP head bolts.
- Crane Cams 44308-1 Valve Springs and Retainers KitView on Amazon
- Melling Oil Pump: M-68HVView on Amazon
- Ford Racing M6250E303 5.0L Certified CamView on Amazon
- Cloyes C-3054X Heavy Duty Timing SetView on Amazon
- ARP Head Bolt KitView on Amazon
See all 12 partsWe may earn a commission when you buy through these Amazon links.
Video series
Watch 11 of the build steps on video.
The playlist follows the build from the oil pump in step 4 to the roller rockers in step 15.
