Thread: supercharged 302

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I am hell bent on putting a sbf (302 or 351w) in my Pete and Jake's 32 chassis. I plan on doing a Brookville body with Walden chop.

Does anyone have experience with these three questions?

1. I understand the shorty water pump gains extra clearance. If I use the Weiand 174 small blower will I have issues with the long neck of the blower and radiator clearance?

2. Will the firewall need to be worked and notched to fit?

3. Will I have issues with hood clearance with the blower?

here is a vid I found of a similar setup
Ford Racing 302 blown Ford Model Y - YouTube


thanks for any input, as always

In reference to your video, You are aware a Model Y is smaller than a stateside 32 Ford? And you know, there are dimension differences between a 302 and 351?

Scooting, this is my first build so I am learning. I know that the deck height of a 351w is slightly higher than the 302. I also know that sbc pervade the marketplace because they are easier to fit in a '32 (and cheaper!) I'm just trying to avoid headaches but it will be a Ford in a Ford. Thanks for the input, it all helps!

The 351 is about an inch wider than the 302 due to the taller deck height. A shorty water pump helps, but the SBF is still going to be tight, and the 351 will be tighter. If it were mine I'd strongly consider stretching the frame a few inches instead of setting it back in the firewall. The cockpit is cramped enough without pushing the engine back, and if done right the longer hood actually looks good. People will see a difference, but will be wondering what.

Originally Posted by rspears

The 351 is about an inch wider than the 302 due to the taller deck height. A shorty water pump helps, but the SBF is still going to be tight, and the 351 will be tighter. If it were mine I'd strongly consider stretching the frame a few inches instead of setting it back in the firewall. The cockpit is cramped enough without pushing the engine back, and if done right the longer hood actually looks good. People will see a difference, but will be wondering what.

Ain't it the truth????? I have never been able to figure out what all the fuss is about with longitudinal clearance in an early car. Stretch the freakin' frame!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
The wheelbase on my T roadster project was 117" to make room for a 429 Ford with all the OEM cooling system in place in front of the motor, cooling through a Walker 4-core brass/copper radiator which was centered in the front tires from a side view.

Freakin' about this is about as silly as using a Chevrolet power steering pump on a Mustang II IFS and then jumping through hoops to reduce the pressure so the pump has a better chance of matching the pressure required by the MII rack and pinion. In the name of all that is holy, fabricate mounts to put the MII pump on the Chevy motor and be done with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by wheelswithin

Can anyone recommend a builder with a great rep?

With all due respect to both Jerry Clayton and Pat McCarthy who are regular posters here and both offer custom engine building services, I can vouch for Scot Sehr at Sehr Performance Machine Engine Rebuilding Specialists Scot's got the engines in several current record holder's cars from drags to circle track, builds for the super stock class competition pulling tractors, and has engines running at Bonneville. I enjoyed every aspect of working with Scot, his dad Tim, and Kermitt - all great guys, with top notch customer service along the way.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Ain't it the truth????? I have never been able to figure out what all the fuss is about with longitudinal clearance in an early car. Stretch the freakin' frame!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

And a longer hood looks sexy, too! Sounds like this is a done deal though, and he wants to take ready made parts and pieces to get done without much modifying. That may mean notching the firewall for clearance, sacrificing some interior foot space in the process.

The front drive snout on the blower is only long enough to reach the drive belt area---if you have 2 inches in front of the lower crank you have enough room---also if necessary you can run without a harmonic dampner because the blower drive belt will dampen the crank harmonics

Also the ford 302 is probably the smallest overall in cross sectional dimensions of all the v-8 engines and with the distributor being mounted at the front allows gobs more clearance at the firewall area

Your idea of the gmc 471 blown 302 engine is a wonderful choice not only for diminsions, weight , power/drivability, and visual appeal--------and its a ford in a ford!!!!!!!!!!!!

rspears and Jerry, this is exactly the kind of info I am looking for. I don't want to complicate clearances so I am going with a 302. Unfortunately it is too late to stretch the chassis and the motor mounts are already in place and welded. Wonderful idea though, would have discussed that with Jason Slover at Pete and Jake's if I was aware it could be done. I just told him I will be running a sbf so hopefully everything pans out.
Thanks for the input on the blower snout also. I was thinking of using a Weiand 174 huffer as it is low profile but a full on roots 471 would give an awesome look. Would that fit under the hood utilizing a traditional air cleaner (not that triangular Edelbrock foam wire mesh thing).
Thanks again guys!...Doug

I'm not sure that Jason would have entertained stretching the frame. That's something you do after the fact, and to me it's not too late. I expect that if you told Jason you wanted SBF mounts they are located to fit without cutting the firewall, and then you deal with the radiator & fan as you have to. I'd think you can easily stretch the frame in front of the mounts, moving the radiator & front crossmember forward while retaining the frame horn extensions. Can't see why it wouldn't work with a good pro welder and proper internal bracing. Others may disagree. Most of your questions about fitment involve location of motor & tranny mounts. If you already had Pete & Jakes weld them in then your firewall to engine clearance is set, as is your engine height. Time to start mocking things up and seeing if it works the way you want, or if you're going to be cutting things loose and re-welding, IMO.

Roger, thanks for your thoughts. I ran across this article re 302 vs 351w and it really has me scratching my head. Guy makes some valid points. I know the 351w is 1" wider and 1" taller than the 302 but I think my big issue is the LENGTH of the block. Aside from the width issue (see: header clearance) and if I use that Weiand low profile supercharger, I think my main battle will be the firewall clearance. Any chance you know if the 302 and 351w share the same LENGTH?
In re to stretching the frame, I don't readily know of any shops in my area (Hudson Valley, NY) that I would task with such a job. And besides, the roller is finally on rubber and my parents are itching for me to get it out of their garage. I will be bringing the chassis down to Fl to put in my house later next month. Anyway, here is the link to the article.
Thanks again for your knowledge! ..Doug

Small Block Ford Reality

yes they are the same length .. having put both in a pinto i can vouch for that ..

Yup, what Hoss said, length is the same, deck height is the difference with the 351 being the taller.

302 deck 8.200 351w 9.500 deck if you looking to start with a kick ass block i have a new dart iron ealge 8.200 deck block for sale that.s a 4 bolt billet cap block all positions center 3 splayed

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

302 deck 8.200 351w 9.500 deck if you looking to start with a kick ass block i have a new dart iron ealge 8.200 deck block for sale that.s a 4 bolt billet cap block all positions center 3 splayed

this block can be short or long blocked to put a blower on it

The B&M 144 blower atop a sbc I had in my previous street rod ('29 Ford) had no problems fitting with the radiator. There was ample room to run a 16 inch electric fan. You should not have to notch your firewall for the blower unless you have your engine set back more than normal. The 174 blower is only a little large than the 144. I did not run a hood, so cannot comment on how much space I had, but I have seen them fit under the hoods of street rods.