Cam question

[Justin]

Would a cam from a 94-95 5.0 have the correct firing order for an EFI swapped 302? I may have a line on a cheap one. Any issues with dropping it into my existing 302?

[akaFrankCastle]

Every 302/5.0 has the same firing order with the exception of the 5.0HO, which shares the 351W firing order.


289 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
302 (Pre-82) 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
5.0 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
5.0 HO 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
5.0 Truck 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
351 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

[akaFrankCastle]

Also, a 94-95 motor will likely be a roller block. You'll need to retrofit for new lifters and swap out your distributor gear for a steel gear from the cast piece.

[Justin]

Hmmm. My recollection is that converting to EFI on a 302 usually changed the firing order, which could lead to an occasional misfire unless the cam is changed. Now that I'm thinking about it, the usual A9P computer would be a HO application. So then I could use the Explorer stuff without changing the cam, correct?

[akaFrankCastle]

From the interwebs.

"There are three kinds of 302s made from 1982-2001.

5.0L HO This engine was used in 1983-1995 Mustangs, Mark VII Lincolns, and some T-birds and Cougars. All Explorer 5.0L engines are 5.0L HO engines as well. They use the 351W firing order, 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Except for the 1983-84 Mustangs, all of these engines are roller cam equipped. They use a reverse rotation water pump and front cover. The 1994-5 Mustang and all Explorers use a unique front cover and water pump.
5.0L Full Size Car This engine was used in 1982-1990 Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis. They use the 289-302 firing order, 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. Most of these cars are not roller cam equipped, however sometime in the early 1990s they started using roller cams but retained the 302 firing order. They use a standard (clockwise) rotation water pump and front cover.
5.0L Truck (except Explorer) These engines are similar to the Full Size Car engines, except they use different intake manifolds and camshaft profiles. They also use the 289-302 firing order, 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. They also began using roller cams sometime in the early 1990s. They use a reverse rotation water pump and front cover."

[akaFrankCastle]

I suppose the first reply I posted simply should have asked "94-95 5.0 from what application?"

[Gunnibronco]

I'm running my old 302 cam shaft with a Mustang ECU. Yes the injectors fire in the 5.0HO/351 order, but it boils down to milliseconds(?) of difference when the engine is at RPM. I can't say I've ever felt my motor stumble, misfire, or anything abnormal. Starts, first time, every time, at -35* sitting outside with only a block heater.

I say don't worry about it.

[Justin]

Truck, I think, based on the ad. Thanks, the info was perfect! Gunni, I hadn't planned to swap my cam, but this was cheap and I may swap in my GT40 heads at the same time, so a cam swap would be easy.

[Gunnibronco]

Gary can reprogram an Explorer ECU to match your injector firing order to match the cam, or you can get a cheap chip for a Mustang ECU to match firing order.

If you are using a dizzy/Mustang ECU you'll keep the firing order the same. Only the injector firing order "changes".

[crawlercreations]

Truck, I think, based on the ad. Thanks, the info was perfect! Gunni, I hadn't planned to swap my cam, but this was cheap and I may swap in my GT40 heads at the same time, so a cam swap would be easy.

One thing to note... The GT40 heads typically have a larger combustion chamber than the older engines. Your compression ratio will drop a fair amount if you just bolt the GT40 heads on in stock form. When I was considering throwing some GT40 heads on my bronco I discovered it would drop my stock 8.5:1 to around 7.5:1. Great if you're looking at doing some forced induction but not good if you're not. You could always get the heads decked to reduce the combustion chamber size though.

[Viperwolf1]

Is that a 94-95 mustang cam? I'm looking for one to go into the 351w.

[Justin]

No, I'm 95% sure it's a truck cam. I'll double check.

[Justin]

Yup, it's from a 302 out of a F-150, so not helpful for either of us. Jason, thanks for the FYI. I confirmed the casting numbers of my GT40 and did some reading. It looks like they're in the 63-66cc range, but what I don't know is what I have now. The PO swapped a long block into my truck, so short of pulling the heads I'm not going to know if it's an upgrade or not. I need to pull my starter anyway, so I'm hoping to get a rough idea of what I've got when I can check the casting number on the block.

[akaFrankCastle]

Yup, it's from a 302 out of a F-150, so not helpful for either of us. Jason, thanks for the FYI. I confirmed the casting numbers of my GT40 and did some reading. It looks like they're in the 63-66cc range, but what I don't know is what I have now. The PO swapped a long block into my truck, so short of pulling the heads I'm not going to know if it's an upgrade or not. I need to pull my starter anyway, so I'm hoping to get a rough idea of what I've got when I can check the casting number on the block.

What are the part numbers and casting dates you found on the heads?

[Justin]

The GT40 heads are F3ZE-AA. I didn't see a casting date, but I'm not sure where it'd be.

[Eck]

Yup, it's from a 302 out of a F-150, so not helpful for either of us. Jason, thanks for the FYI. I confirmed the casting numbers of my GT40 and did some reading. It looks like they're in the 63-66cc range, but what I don't know is what I have now. The PO swapped a long block into my truck, so short of pulling the heads I'm not going to know if it's an upgrade or not. I need to pull my starter anyway, so I'm hoping to get a rough idea of what I've got when I can check the casting number on the block.

What are the part numbers and casting dates you found on the heads?

Looking for SS# castings or what?

[akaFrankCastle]

The GT40 heads are F3ZE-AA. I didn't see a casting date, but I'm not sure where it'd be.

[akaFrankCastle]

F3ZE-AA are rumored to be the same 60-63cc combustion chamber size as the 93 Cobra heads and were only found on 96 to very early 97 Exploders. After which, they changed to the F4ZE-AA head with slightly larger chambers.

[Gunnibronco]

F3ZE-AA are rumored to be the same 60-63cc combustion chamber size as the 93 Cobra heads and were only found on 96 to very early 97 Exploders. After which, they changed to the F4ZE-AA head with slightly larger chambers.

Project 33x2? Has anyone looked? Just curious.

[akaFrankCastle]

I thought those were Ps. I'll have a look this morning perhaps.

[Gunnibronco]

I thought those were Ps. I'll have a look this morning perhaps.

Maybe, I forget.