got a 85 f150 xlt i picked up with a bad motor. I have a great running 95 302 out of a f 150 i plan on sticking into it. my question is what can i do to the heads to make them better? I plan on sending them in for a freshen up and would like to make them preform better if it doesnt cost a arm and leg.
please give my some suggestions.
im going to use the block and heads from the 95 and everything else intake and all accessories will be the original 85.
the 95 is a roller motor which should be just a little better than the solid lifter motor.
Wanted to do a set of gt40 heads but the price in this area is stupid high for as set so im sticking with the stockers.
also doing new gasket set, oil pump,E303 cam,cloyes double roller timing chain,and nice set of headers.
not going full hot rod but want to put a little more pep in her step.

thanks

 

Biggest issue with the stock 302 heads is the restrictive exhaust port and the small
valves. Someone good with a grinder and some good knowledge of what will help
can help a lot on the exhaust port and also touch up the intake port.

It would take a competent automotive machine shop to fit larger valves to the heads.
By then you are probably about the same expense as a better set of heads.

Take a look at some cast iron Dart or RHS heads which are very good and a fairly
good value.

 

I agree with OH. A few years ago I ported a pair of D8OE heads, documented in this thread. It was a bunch of work, and dirty work at that. And the results measured on a flow bench weren't that impressive - as shown by the charts in that thread. However, that 351W ran like it had a 4bbl on it, in spite of just having a little Motorcraft 2bbl. So there were some benefits.

However, I'm pretty sure I'd not do it again. I'd buy a pair of GT40's as my first choice. And my second choice would be to work with a head porting service to determine what heads to buy for them to port, but that would probably cost as much as the GT40's, so…