302 with 351 Windsor heads ?

[1989]

Does anyone know what I would need ( maybe a list of things to replace ?) to put 351 w heads on my 302 ? And how well it would benefit or hurt my swap ? I just got a roller 302 and I'm sealing it into my ranger the motor is a long block so I have to buy everything new to go on it and if I do the 351 heads I don't want to go buying parts that I don't need ....

 

[adsm08]

There are two problems with putting 351 heads on a 302 block.

1) Larger combustion chambers. This sounds great on the face of it, because hey, larger chamber means more power, right? Larger chamber means lower compression, so less power.

2) 351 head bolts are bigger around that 302 head bolts. That means the 302 head bolts don't take up all the space in the bolt hole on the 351 head which leaves you open to the risk of the head moving and popping the head gasket.

 

[shane96ranger]

Which heads and what year are they?

You can buy bushings to alleviate the issue Adsm speaks of.

EDIT: The bushings look like these below. But honestly, you can get a really good set of heads off of a 5.0 Epxlorer for $200 or less, so buying bushings seems... well, retarded to me considering you can possibly have considerably better heads for just a few more dollars.

Also, the reason I asked the year is the 69-77 351W heads have a 60cc combustion chamber. The E7TE heads are usually in the 60-62cc range.

 

[1989]

Well I just recently got my 302 and I haven't gotten any 351 heads yet ... So is there any up side to 351 heads ?

 

[shane96ranger]

In stock form, no. Like I mentioned, the best factory heads came later. The Explorer had GT40 (96-97) and GT40P (98-01) heads. Both are great heads, but the P heads have a different plug angle. This makes some headers not work. I prefer the P head personally.

Sent from the can

 

[shane96ranger]

Here is a head comparison. This list used to have regular GT40 heads, but for some reason it now only has the P heads.

http://www.carbdford.com/tech/flowdata.htm

One of the many reasons I prefer the P head is the fact they provide a much cleaner burn. They do not have emissions ports on the end, and they still run cleaner than my E7TE heads did. The spark plug angle made a more free flowing exhaust port as well. They are finicky when it comes to porting though.

Here is some info I've jotted down on P heads as well.

http://www.blueovalfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21604

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The older 351W heads had an advantage before Ford decided to make a halfway decent attempt at a set of 302 heads for the first time since the 60's when they came out with the GT-40s.

I would avoid the GT-40P's. They don't gain that much more hp and really complicate header choices when going into a Ranger vs a regular GT-40. With something like a Mustang drop in headers are all over the place but not for a Ranger.

 

[shane96ranger]

I would avoid the GT-40P's. They don't gain that much more hp and really complicate header choices when going into a Ranger vs a regular GT-40. With something like a Mustang drop in headers are all over the place but not for a Ranger.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

 

[Mac]

There are so many variables when picking a head. Any idea of what that short block had for a compression ratio with with a certain set of heads? Way back in the day, guys would actuall use the 289 heads for the small chambers and install larger valves for use on a 302. Chambers in the 351 go from 60.4 to 69. The later ones are identical to the 302's other than bolt size. Most would say the change is not worth it.
Dave

 

[cammeddrz]

the 351w heads on a 302 was what made the "BOSS 302" right? as I recall a special intake manifold was needed too. a 302 manifold won't work, and a 351w manifold won't work either. this complicates intake manifold choices.

 

[dangerranger83]

Next thing is what year/make, etc... it's your 302?

I've been trying to find out if the gt40 heads will work on a 302 that has the e6 heads and the valves will clear the slightly dished pistons with an HO cam (aka what I have now). E7 head valves and HO cam will clear the pistons but it's eatery to find the gt40 heads.

Sent from my rooted SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[adsm08]

the 351w heads on a 302 was what made the "BOSS 302" right? as I recall a special intake manifold was needed too. a 302 manifold won't work, and a 351w manifold won't work either. this complicates intake manifold choices.

Something like that, but there were other differences. For one thing the Boss engine didn't take the compression hit.

 

[shane96ranger]

The Boss 302 had Cleveland heads on a Windsor 4 bolt block.


Sent from my Quad Core Acer A210

 

[Mac]

the 351w heads on a 302 was what made the "BOSS 302" right? as I recall a special intake manifold was needed too. a 302 manifold won't work, and a 351w manifold won't work either. this complicates intake manifold choices.

The Boss used the 351C heads to begin with, that's why the special intake and machining required to line up the water passages. They also went back to the rod lenght of the 289 at 5.155", different pistons required. Great in their time for high rpm race use.
Dave

 

[shane96ranger]

Ahhh yes Dave... forgot about the pistons. I believe they were Cleveland style as well.

Sent from my Quad Core Acer A210