1972 Ford F100 302 Small Block Engine Build Off - V-8 Juice

We used mineral spirits in a parts washer to clean the accumulated sludge from the cylinder heads as well as liquid-check the intake and exhaust valves for leakage at the seats.

Before installing the mild 306A1 Lunati high-performance camshaft into the 302, it was essential to coat the cam lobes and hydraulic lifter faces with Lunati molydisulphide-based camshaft assembly lube (PN 99010). Do not install a camshaft without it!

The Lunati cam was installed by holding it as horizontal as possible to prevent nicking the cam bearings. Afterward, we coated the cam thrust washer on its face with 99010 cam lube and bolted it into place.

As part of Lunati's valvetrain components, we used Lunati's 3-Keyway adjustable full roller timing set. The four-degree advanced position focuses on improving bottom-end torque, while the four-degree retarded position picks up higher revs on the top end. We stayed with the zero-degree middle position for overall results.

Notice we applied red paint to the cam gear's timing mark to ensure the correct reading of its position.

To prime the Lunati hydraulic lifters, we used a Lunati pushrod to pump the lifters while pouring 10-30W motor oil into them. Lunati warns that damage to the camshaft can occur if this isn't done properly.

We used an old 289 valve cover to mask the cylinder head's galley while applying masking tape to the intake and exhaust ports to prevent paint overspray.

Here, the Lunati Chromoly seven-degree retainers are correctly installed. We broke the case-hardened 77034 valve lock (keeper) by accidentaly pinching it as the valvespring compressor was expanded, allowing the high-tension Lunati dual valvespring to crush it. Needless to say, extra caution should be attended to while assembling the valves into the cylinder heads. (Yeah, I know, I'm a big dummy.)

We coated the tips of the head bolts with Permatex to prevent coolant leakage from the ones extending into the water jackets, while we dipped the threads and hex heads in 10-30W motor oil and then torqued them to sequence.

As evidenced in this self-portrait, wearing safety goggles is not only becoming to one's appearance, but it also serves to protect one's eyeballs as well.

The original semi-gloss black applied at the Ford factory had flaked and peeled off after only 35 years of service. We used compressed air in conjunction with brake cleaner to blast the old paint off (this is where the safety goggles came in).

Afterward, we used 400-grit wet and dry sandpaper in warm soapy water to feather out the remaining stock black paint into the Tampico Yellow beneath it.