351 heads
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 957
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From: Valley Center, CA
From what I know, you'd probably need to re-do the pistons, bore and rings to give you the performance to match the slightly beefier heads of the 351. I just re-did my stock 302 heads-had a valve job done at a high end machine shop and they are amazing. There were several 302 head designs...specifically, the combust. chamber area. The later ones, beginning around '73 or so have a different design, small comb. chamber and from what I understand, they have higher compression as a result. Which ones do you have? They were designed for better fuel economy. Might be worth staying stock and rebuilding your 302's.??
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
351 heads
From what I know, you'd probably need to re-do the pistons, bore and rings to give you the performance to match the slightly beefier heads of the 351. I just re-did my stock 302 heads-had a valve job done at a high end machine shop and they are amazing. There were several 302 head designs...specifically, the combust. chamber area. The later ones, beginning around '73 or so have a different design, small comb. chamber and from what I understand, they have higher compression as a result. Which ones do you have? They were designed for better fuel economy. Might be worth staying stock and rebuilding your 302's.??
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 8
From: hinckley ohio
The heads will bolt on with no issues.The rocker arms should be the same after 1969 Ford made them all that you just torque them down and your done.Before 69 they were like a Chevy where you had to adjust them while the engine was running.The best heads were the 1970 4v heads I think they where 63 cc chambers.
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 957
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From: Valley Center, CA
I think the later heads would probably be best. Mine are the later type where you simply torque down the rocker bolts....so much easier and less hassle. Are you doing a valve job? If so, I'd just stick with the stock 302's...besides, you have headers, that should be enough with all the other stuff you've done to bring the engine alive.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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What condition are the 351 heads? Do you have casting numbers off them?
Check the SBF forums, Conanski has a handle on all things SBF and some 351w heads are terrible.
There are 302 heads off Explorers that are better, and if you have to put money into these heads, best check some threads there first, or post there for more info. But have those numbers first.
351w head on a 302 used to be the way to go--30 years ago. Not necessarily the hot set up now.
Check the SBF forums, Conanski has a handle on all things SBF and some 351w heads are terrible.
There are 302 heads off Explorers that are better, and if you have to put money into these heads, best check some threads there first, or post there for more info. But have those numbers first.
351w head on a 302 used to be the way to go--30 years ago. Not necessarily the hot set up now.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
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From: wyoming
cleveland/windsor?
If a cleveland need to change pistons for canted valve. Intake modification also on cleveland design. If just a windsor not a big change but believe the combustion chamber is bigger in stock form. I prefer the cleveland design due to better airflow due to better design. but their are tricks for the clevor motor when assembling. Old dirt track set up back in the day. it works well but keeping with the non canted valve design is better for simplicity. so what is you application is the big question??????
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
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From: Northeast LA
If this is 351W heads then they have bigger head bolts and require a bushing to be installed in the bolt hole in the heads to adapt it down to the smaller bolt.
Trick Flow Specialties TFS-51400419 - Trick Flow® Head Bolt Bushings - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Trick Flow Specialties TFS-51400419 - Trick Flow® Head Bolt Bushings - Overview - SummitRacing.com
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
'78 was the smog era so those heads are complete junk.. hugh combustion chambers and small valves. What is the casting number on your 351 heads? Early 351 heads are better than most others but that's not saying much as even those require porting to make what I'd call respectable HP.. like 300+. Late model GT40's and the aftermarket is where you should be looking if you want performance worthy of the displacement.
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