5.0 Swap: Gt40p heads not fitting on 302

[bubbanugs]

Hi Everyone,

I’m back with another question on the ongoing swap.

So I bought gt40p heads to go on my 93 302 block. I’ve decided to tear the block down and hone the cylinders after many of yall said that’s an important can of worms. I tend to agree it’s better to do it right once.

In the meantime, I wanted to check the head fitment. It looks to me like the alignment pins on the block and head interfere.

Before I try pulling the pins out of the heads, I figured I ask. Am I missing something? I’ve read a little bit about the pins being different sizes and people drilling to 1/2”. But again, thought it’d be useful to just ask first before I start doing something that might bite me. Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Curious Hound]

I don't understand the question. Are they different sizes? In your pictures, it looks like you have 2 sets of pins. Either use the ones in the block or use the ones in the head. You can't use both.

 

[bubbanugs]

Ok I figured as much. I even tried pulling the ones in the head out with pliers but I decided to put them down and do some research before hand. I will pull the ones in the head out tomorrow.

Any tips for removing them? Should I just bend them in at the seam? I am worried to use heat on either side because it may warp the heads or block. ill hit them with kroil right now.

 

[Curious Hound]

I've never had to pull those. Kroil os a good start. I would try pliers. If pliers don't grip, try a pair of dikes (diagonal cutters) or big vice grips. I think they are hardened. So you probably won't do much bending or folding of them.

 

[bubbanugs]

Makes sense. I’ve got dikes and pliers. I’m sure I’ll find a way.

 

[rubydist]

Put a large vice-grip tight on the alignment tube, and then use a hammer on the vice-grip. Those things tend to get stuck pretty hard and it takes more than just a tug on them to get them out usually.

 

[84tony]

Your head gasket is not on correctly; the gasket is marked with the word FRONT on it and needs to go to the front end of the engine. The one in your picture needs to be flipped end to end. The head gaskets are the same so one side will be upside down compared to the other,

 

[Curious Hound]

Your head gasket is not on correctly; the gasket is marked with the word FRONT on it and needs to go to the front end of the engine. The one in your picture needs to be flipped end to end. The head gaskets are the same so one side will be upside down compared to the other,
View attachment 145078

Great catch.

 

[pjtoledo]

on the dowl guides I either put something that fits snug inside so it won't crush too bad with vise grips
or tap some threads in for pulling.
either way it's time for new ones.

 

[bubbanugs]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Dowels came out easy with a flathead and a dead blow. Just bent them inward at the seam and punched em out from the other side. I took my time as to not scratch the mating surface.

Shout out to @84tony for catching the head gasket orientation. I totally would have missed that.

Onwards and upwards baby