gt40 heads
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Rohnert Park Ca.
gt40 heads
Ok so I went to the bone yard yesterday and found a explorer with the v8. It got me think I see on the threads that people are either looking or asking for them. So my question might be are some guy's on here looking for a set. My local yard has had a regular supply of them and I'd thought that that would be the first things to go due to the demand. If I had enough intrest I would go when the supply is there. Tell me what y'all think.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 532
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From: Las Vegas
I would be interested too. How much is the yard wanting for them? Or instead, what are you looking to get for a set? You need to be compensated for your time and labor. Just be aware that they crop up regularly on fleebay and some are freight included in the price. Can't imagine you paying for shipping too. Very nice gesture on your part.
Posting Guru
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Only difference I knew of was most exploers had the GT40P Heads that flowed just a hair better but required and special style of header to be used with them due to the odd angle of the spark plugs on the head. To my knowledge the mustangs and lightnings used the normal gt40 heads with the normal design for the spark plugs with just a hair less of flow in stock form.
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Senior User
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From: Rohnert Park Ca.
Yes these are or will be from an explorer. I will get the particulars on if there 3 or 4 bars and any stamping. These heads if there the ones we want they WILL be just take offs. I will pull heads and basically turn around and ship out. The reason I'm doing it is I read people needed or wanting them and the yard usually have 1 to 3 explorers. I will charge about $15 a head. When the time comes I will ask for your postal zip for shipping. If it still sounds good let me know.
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From: Rohnert Park Ca.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Las Vegas
Yes, for Explorers look for 96-97.5 model years. PM me when you find a good pair, sent to 89178, and we can work out the details.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Charlestown, RI
-Lightning heads, which are 3-bar GT40s, and have 1/2" head bolt holes.
-Mustang heads, which are also 3-bar, and have 7/16" head bolt holes.
-Early 5.slow Explorer heads, which are also 3-bar, and have 7/16" head bolt holes.
-Later 5.slow Explorer heads, which are 4-bar (GT40P), and have 7/16" head bolt holes, and angled plugs as mentioned in another post.
For a 302 or 351, any of them will work, some will require mods to do so.
The 302 has 7/16" head bolts, so the 302 based heads will bolt right on. There are quite a few companies that make sleeves for Lightning heads to reduce the head bolt size so they can be used on a 302.
The 351 has 1/2" head bolts, so the Lightning heads will bolt on as-is. To use the 302 based heads, the head bolt holes can be drilled out to 17/32", or there are companies that offer stepped head studs that reduce from 1/2 to 7/16. Not sure I'd be comfortable with reduced studs, though.
In either case, as mentioned, the angle plug GT40P heads present a challenge for header fitment.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,775
Likes: 443
the header fitment problem associated with the P heads is one that mustang guys have but does not carry over to the trucks. Any long tube on the market designed for the trucks fit the gt40's fine, because the way they are designed to go out and way down to clear the fire wall.
SOME shorty headers pose fitment issues because the primaries hug the block vs the gradual "out and down" design of the long tubes.
moral of the story: gt40p's with long tubes work just fine. 90* plug boots are required on a few cylinders though.
SOME shorty headers pose fitment issues because the primaries hug the block vs the gradual "out and down" design of the long tubes.
moral of the story: gt40p's with long tubes work just fine. 90* plug boots are required on a few cylinders though.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Ok, thanks Bob. I thought there were different ones. I am taking mine off the lightning for GOOD heads like AFRs 185s
You are correct. There are four different options:
-Lightning heads, which are 3-bar GT40s, and have 1/2" head bolt holes.
-Mustang heads, which are also 3-bar, and have 7/16" head bolt holes.
-Early 5.slow Explorer heads, which are also 3-bar, and have 7/16" head bolt holes.
-Later 5.slow Explorer heads, which are 4-bar (GT40P), and have 7/16" head bolt holes, and angled plugs as mentioned in another post.
For a 302 or 351, any of them will work, some will require mods to do so.
The 302 has 7/16" head bolts, so the 302 based heads will bolt right on. There are quite a few companies that make sleeves for Lightning heads to reduce the head bolt size so they can be used on a 302.
The 351 has 1/2" head bolts, so the Lightning heads will bolt on as-is. To use the 302 based heads, the head bolt holes can be drilled out to 17/32", or there are companies that offer stepped head studs that reduce from 1/2 to 7/16. Not sure I'd be comfortable with reduced studs, though.
In either case, as mentioned, the angle plug GT40P heads present a challenge for header fitment.
-Lightning heads, which are 3-bar GT40s, and have 1/2" head bolt holes.
-Mustang heads, which are also 3-bar, and have 7/16" head bolt holes.
-Early 5.slow Explorer heads, which are also 3-bar, and have 7/16" head bolt holes.
-Later 5.slow Explorer heads, which are 4-bar (GT40P), and have 7/16" head bolt holes, and angled plugs as mentioned in another post.
For a 302 or 351, any of them will work, some will require mods to do so.
The 302 has 7/16" head bolts, so the 302 based heads will bolt right on. There are quite a few companies that make sleeves for Lightning heads to reduce the head bolt size so they can be used on a 302.
The 351 has 1/2" head bolts, so the Lightning heads will bolt on as-is. To use the 302 based heads, the head bolt holes can be drilled out to 17/32", or there are companies that offer stepped head studs that reduce from 1/2 to 7/16. Not sure I'd be comfortable with reduced studs, though.
In either case, as mentioned, the angle plug GT40P heads present a challenge for header fitment.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,775
Likes: 443
Afr's are unmatched no doubt, but a mild build with 150 dollar gt40p's is more bang for the buck. Gt40s can still support 300 hp with some porting, but any goals over that are tough where the afr's are easy. Forget about rpm with any increase of displacement with gt40s too.
