Thread: 302 head's

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what is anyone's opinion on a 351 W with 302 head's put on . im thinking more power and better take off at the tree . this swap is in a 70 galaxie 500 .....mx tranny , 9inch posi

Let's see, depending on the heads on the 351, your going to have either the same size valves (or smaller) the same size ports (or smaller) and possibly raising the compression to much. Additionally, the head bolt holes will have to be drilled out to accept 7/16 head bolts (the 302s used 1/2")

I'm thinking a not so good of an idea.

well since ive seen the head's on a 351W . the 302 valves are bigger so there is more compression in the piston . yes the bolt's had to be redone but with little effort . being around a ford mech for a few yrs . sure has put some cool idea's up in the air .

Moneys better spent with 351w heads and a good machine shop! Asking around the ford guys at your local drag strip will usually net you some top notch, last year’s modification parts at surprisingly good prices. Small block guys drool at the power a 351w can supply, and this makes high end parts plentiful in these circles. I've built over somewhere over 200 race preped 351w in the past 10 or so years, leave the 302 heads on a 302.

I have a very nasty 351W in my f100. 426ci stroker, bored .060, short deck height block.

The pistons extend .014 out of the block at TDC, apparently the stroker set-up from Ford was not made for early "short-deck" blocks.

The heads are C9's, ported on exhaust only, bowl blended intake and exhaust, with the chambers cleaned-up a bit. Oversize valves in cast iron guides. You can barely fit a business card between the valve heads.

The only problem with this engine is it's a one-time deal. It can't be bored any more (sonic checked), the deck is too short, the valve seats can't be redone, and I think it will blow apart anyway.

Next in line, an in-line. I found a low-miles 300-6 to put in and I already got an Offy manifold and a set of split headers. I need a good cam and valve job.

Some of the early 351W's had smaller chambers with decent size valves and runners. Before you put too much time, effort, and money in stock heads, check out the prices on aluminum heads, both new and swap meet specials. I have come up with some good deals on used aluminum heads, the results were good.

I'd figure out exactly what 351 you got (block specs; crank, rod and piston combination, etc.) then look in a couple of the ford engine rebuilding books. You can then figure out which stock ford heads will work and which ones will need mods.

Be careful buying used heads. If they have been angle milled, ported without a flow sheet or need to much work, then at $1,000 to $1300 you can have some really good aluminum heads.

If you are on a real budget and want to keep under $500, then look for some used GT40 heads. The GT40P heads are good, cheap but require different headers. Look on the Corral classifieds, EBay or a Ford Explorer (GT40P) in the wrecking yard.

For about $1300 you can get some very hot AFR 185 aluminum heads and probably get the most HP for your $$$.