e7 head swap valve train issues help
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Junior User
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e7 head swap valve train issues help
Ok im sure this has been asked somewhere before but im having trouble findning the answers I need. I've got an 1978 F100 with an original 302, my plan is to swap intake and carb but ive also got a set of 94 truck 351w e7te heads I thought I might as well put those on to really make a difference I also have a comp cams kit been sitting here for a couple years I thought I'd throw that in to while I was at it. So my problem is in the valve train for the head i would like to go to screw in studs and pushrod guide plates but I've heard you have to machine the pedestals on the head to accept these parts? is this true and can I use the pushrods in the cam kit or am i gonna have to get different ones.planned on going with 1.6 roller tip rockers. Im sure someone has done this swap like im trying to do so help me out what did you do for your valvetrain and any mods to the head like machining or porting. Thanks
Edelbrock 600cfm electric choke
Wiand stealth 302 manifold
comp cams hydraulic flat tappet 31-218-2 kit
Edelbrock 600cfm electric choke
Wiand stealth 302 manifold
comp cams hydraulic flat tappet 31-218-2 kit
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,017
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From: SoCal
Yes, the pedestals will have to be machined down, and the existing hole in each pedestal, 5/16", will have to be enlarged to 3/8", the standard stud size. They usually take it down to a standard height, and make fine lash settings with the adjustable stud. Make sure your machinist checks the pushrods so he can take the pedestals down so they're close.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Pedistal mount rockers are more than capable of handling 0.500" lift and valvetrain adjustments are not necessary unless the heads or block have been decked, so you could be just wasting your money on studs here.
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Junior User
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Wish I would have known now all my 351 rockers are mixed up can I use the 302 or 351 pushrods or should I get new . Wouldn't it be wise to get new rockers so I'm not putting worn parts on or is it ok to reuse old. Should I really bother porting or doing anything with valves
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Chicago area
The 302 & 351 puchrods are going to be different lengths.
As for the heads, yes you can do some clean up on the exhaust side. That's where the E7's need help. The is a hump/bump there that can be removed. Here's a site I found that will give you some info on DIY head porting. The sites owner has info on the E7 head and what to do to it.
diyPorting.com
As for the heads, yes you can do some clean up on the exhaust side. That's where the E7's need help. The is a hump/bump there that can be removed. Here's a site I found that will give you some info on DIY head porting. The sites owner has info on the E7 head and what to do to it.
diyPorting.com
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Don't worry about mixing up the rockers it doesn't matter, and you can still put roller rockers on the motor if you like just buy the pedistal mount version. Porting can be beneficial but I don't suggest simply hogging at the ports with a die grinder, first educate yourself on what needs to be done and not done and then weigh the time it will take against the potential gains. Porting just the exhaust side of a set of heads will take a couple days and to do it right the valves need to be removed, and you have to attempt to duplicate your work exactly the same in each port.. which requires some patience. There are gains to be had but you won't get all the potential the first time around.. maybe not even the first 10 times around, and there is always the potential of removing too much material and putting a hole into the water jacket, you have to ruin a few heads before you learn how far you can go.
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Junior User
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Really only planned on removing the exhaust bump I'm not going for all out performance I just want better than stock right now something to play with for a couple years till I can afford my 408. I would assume I would have to use the 302 pushrod length. I think I will price oem replacement rockers or reuse my 302 rockers. My weiand intake should bolt up to these heads np? thanks for the info guys.
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So what's going to happen to my compression ratio if I install these heads on my stock 78 302 as I understand stock is 8.3 with 69 cc head but e7 is usually 63-64 correct me if I'm wrong. I need to know if my bottom end can handle it if its a significant change or not in comp.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: SoCal
If the engine is at 8.3:1 right now, your CR may increase to 8.8, so it's not very aggressive at all. As long as you don't let the engine detonate with excessive timing advance or forced induction, it should be fine.
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