I have a 1987 f150 4x4 with the 302... when I converted the truck to 4 wheel drive I have a 351w from the truck I bought for parts and it's just sitting behind the garage... the 351 is a 1982 Windsor and the 302 is and 87 with efi... if I take the heads off the 351w should I get them ported and polished? Anyone know how much getting them ported and polished will cost? Also what are all the good or doing this? The bad? Will I see any horsepower gains? Thanks

 

I looked into doing a similar swap some time ago, I have an 87 Bronco with the 302 and a 351w from an 85. I believe what I found was that the heads flowed about the same and wouldn't work correctly with the EFI as they are not roller heads. But I'm not qualified to be called a shade tree mechanic, so hopefully someone with more know-how responds. But if not, I know the info is out there just gotta look. Performance wise I believe the best bet was aftermarket or gt40 heads, taking into account the cost of the machine work.

 

Don't waste your time, the heads currently on your 5.0 are better than what is on that smog era 351. If you want upgraded heads look for a set of GT40's from a 96-97.5 Explorer or Gen1 Lightning.

 

I just thought since I had that motor sitting around I might do something with it but maybe I'll just build up the 351 then put that in the truck

 

that is a better idea.

 

Plus one on building the 351

 

I'm pretty sure that's what I will be doing... rebuild the 351 with new cam and all that.. performance parts and a 4 barrel carburetor and then rip all the efi crap out of the truck so it's simpler and I'll actually be able to see my engine

 

You had me as a follower until this post. Why degrade the truck with a carb.?

 

To much electric wires and all that all over the whole engine compartment... a carb is much simpler and I can tune as to were fuel injection I have to read codes and do all that

 

Been there done that, +1 for FI. Spend a few hours studying the FI system threads, There's nothing to it.

 

Being dead honest I think the fuel injection is a whole lot simpler than old carbs. Stick with the fuel injection it will help you in the long run.

 

Don't get me wrong I love the fuel injection system but it's all the wires that I hate.. I can't even see my engine from all the wires that cover the whole engine compartment

 

not saying i would EVER do this. but order heads from autozone for a 97 ford explorer 5.0. those are gt40(p) heads. strip down your 351 heads and return them for the core.

 

GT40P heads can be difficult to find headers or plain manifolds to fit. They do flow better than GT40s but may not be worth the effort.