I guess the bright side is that you made it home safely. Mudslide, detours, Ice, and The Grapevine are not words you want to hear in one sentence. Im glad your safe. Good luck with finding the rite headers.

 

That has to be the 351W block height. (as far as hitting block) The 302 block and heads exterior dimensions were the same for 30 years. Hitting the steering box real bad? And if they are good quality headers corral.net classifieds would be a good place to sell them.

 

The header I was recommended to use on my 351w were huggers also. I had already installed the toy steering box and the header flange on this side comes uncomfortably close. I diligently searched all the threads and talked to several suppliers, but like filthy6 and 52Merc say it's "trial and error." I will be relocating the engine 1 and a half inches forward

to clear.

 

Forgot to mention I had to pee in my favorite coffee mug. Me and that mug have been together for many years. I'm actually drinking out of it now! Wife won't kiss me.

 

Good call on the 351 heads. I looked at some cryptic notes I took from the engine builder. I am pretty sure they are 351w heads. Any way to know for sure from the exterior?

 

302 and 351W used the same heads. Pre '76 351W heads had slightly larger intake ports but the exhaust side of the head is identical for all Windsor heads, except for the late 5.0 GT40P heads. It's rather unlikely that's what you have. Your standard headers would not have matched up at all if you did.

 

Don't give me any credit please. I was quite sure 5.0 shorty headers would clear your block's bellhousing flange and the firewall. Steering box clearance is always a crapshoot in a custom engine install. You do need to figure out what heads you have. Then you can determine if the exhaust ports are in factory location (which is highly likely as long as they aren't a raised port racing head)

And that was WAAAAY too much information regarding your coffee cup.

 

I cut, re-angled, and welded my headers for my 302 4r70 combo. From what I read when I was looking was any 302 header that says it will work with a C6 will work for an aod. I almost ordered Hooker part #6901HKR. Keep in mind I don't have this combo in a F1/f100

 

I think we need to get you a pee cup or new coffee cup. Tape a funnel to a gallon water jug and be on your way.

 

The heads will have no impact on the headers hitting the block or not...the only SBF heads with significant differences are the GT40P heads.

351W heads on a 302 won't affect header positioning with respect to the block I've used 302 headers on 351W plenty of times - long tubes, so perhaps that's the difference - but I could foresee a situtation where shorty 302 headers bolted onto a 351W engine (regardless of heads) might get awfully close to the block due to deck height differences - especially if these shorties were meant for Mustangs based on packaging constraints.

I had to use Sanderson headers on my 302/AOD in my '54. Regular block huggers interefered with the engine mounts...and even the Sanderson needed tweaking for the style of mount I had.

 

That about has to be the case. I have those shorty headers on my 302 but they are stock. They do run close to the bellhousing flange on the drivers side. They should be easy to heat up and tweak a little for a 351W but they are still likely to crowd the transmission bellhousing. But I think he bought aftermarket ceramic coated so I wouldn't want to heat them either. They hit his steering box anyway. Curious what steering he runs.

The aftermarket does make heads with non-factory exhaust port location but that is not likely the case here since he mentions 1987 351W so I am assuming factory heads? Only real difference in a factory 351W head should be cylinder head bolt diameter and that's not relevant to the problem.

 

302 headers on a 351W shouldn't be an issue in this area because the heads are further away from the crank centerline and wider due to the taller 351W block - this places headers farther away from block slightly.

351W headers for a Fox-body Mustang on a 302 could be an issue though. Due to the taller block of the 351W, the headers have to tuck in more aggressively and be slightly longer in order to hook up to the stock Mustang H-pipe.

I modified 302 headers to fit a 351W into a fox-body Mustang many years ago before 351W swaps were common and headers could be bought. My interference was actually on the passenger side shock tower - the area near the block was fine because the headers had a normal curve toward the block

351W headers for fox-body Mustangs aren't nearly as common as 302 headers...

What engine does the OP have? The title is 302 headers, but in the text asks about 351W heads. If he has a 351W engine and folks believe that 302 shorty headers work with 302, he will need shorty headers to swap 351W into fox-body Mustang to get the outlet to exit in same area...

 

I originally thought he had an 80s 302 with Ford 351W heads. Vintage of block wouldn't matter though. That is why I thought 5.0 Fox headers would very likely clear. The steering box and shaft clearance needs to be researched. Since he is using a SBF you can be sure his combo has been done before.

 

Talked to the engine builder. 302w block with 351w heads. He gave me a handful of headers to try. I am trying to add photos for reference but having no luck. Can't find my photo instructions. Add computers to the list of things that "BULLY" me. It's for a '56 F100 with stock front end and steering box. Any directions on the photos will be helpful. Thanks

 

Here are a couple of pics of the 302 in my 56 with Sanderson FF2 headers. I personally like the way that the headers drop straight down at the rear. I am using the same headers on my 40 Ford coupe with a 351W engine. The front end on the F100 is a Volare but I don't see where there would be a problem with a stock setup.