302 roller cam - external ID

nellis003

Senior Member
Hi all,

Picked up a 1954 Mercury parts car that has what looks to be a rebuilt 302. Is there a way to tell if this is a roller cam engine off casting numbers or another external feature? Seems like a good rebuild and I'd rather not tear it apart to see.

Thanks,
Nick
 
Pulling the intake to make sure is not that bad but 1985 was the first year for the factory roller cam in the 5.0.
 
The roller cam engines have the firing order of a 351 as opposed to the older 302 engines. Sorry I'm not where I can give you both, but the info should be readily available
 
I knew I was forgetting something 40CPE is right the roller has a different firing order.

1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8= Roller

1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8= Non roller
 
Look just above the starter for the block code,key that number in on Google and you know in an instant.
 
Actually the firing order on an 5.0 HO roller motor is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. But, a standard 5.0 roller such as a pickup or crown vic is still 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. Also, if it still has the original roller timing cover, there is no fuel pump provision. If you are still in doubt, pull the distributor, roller cams use a steel dist. gear, flat tappet cams use a iron dist. gear. One more thing, a later roller block can still be used with conventional lifters
 
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