76 302 valve lash caps
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 241
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From: Oregon
76 302 valve lash caps
I have a 76 302 that I believe is out of the Granada. I tried numerous sizes of the valve lash caps the most recent size I tried is 5/16 and those are too big there is a lot of slop and the rocker arms do not fit over them. So what I'm wondering is what has to be done to switch valvetrains from old "U" style to the newer bolt down style?
I have a 83 Windsor heads with complete valve train wondering & am pondering how I would go about switching the 83 valve train over to the 76 302.
I have a 83 Windsor heads with complete valve train wondering & am pondering how I would go about switching the 83 valve train over to the 76 302.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
A head swap would cover most of it but if you're going through the trouble get a set of late model E7TE heads(they're everywhere on every single 5.0 and 5.8 built from 1987 on), and the reason for that is both of your motors are smog era so the heads have massive low compression combustion chambers, E7 heads would give you a 1/2 point bump in compression along with the simple pedestal mount rockers, and you just need to make sure you get pushrods for a flat tappet 302 motor.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 241
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From: Oregon
Head swap... so im guessing '83 351W heads wouldnt bolt on the '76 302? threes I'm asking is because this was just supposed to be a stupid simple pull engine, regasket & valve seals to stop leaks & oil burning, put engine back in. But instead its turned into a cluster because, surprise surprise, it was not fully rebuilt like previous owner said.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 241
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From: Oregon
The measurements of the caps that I pulled off the heads are:
outside diameter: .375" or 9.53mm
inside diameter: .290" or 7.40mm
height: .260 or 6.62 mm
average thickness: .058
I thought about trying the 8mm from JEGS
Manley 42125-8 | Buy Manley Valve Lash Caps at JEGS
but these are .080 were mine from 1976 are .058 im thinking originally that they were .060 or, depending on how many miles are on the heads even .080 at one point?
So scene the lash caps are giving me hell and holding up this shin-dig I was thinking about changing out the exhaust valves with these or something similar:
Sealed Power V1961 - Exhaust Valve | O'Reilly Auto Parts
but those dont have the step down on the tip for the caps so in theory I wouldn't have to run the caps yes?
outside diameter: .375" or 9.53mm
inside diameter: .290" or 7.40mm
height: .260 or 6.62 mm
average thickness: .058
I thought about trying the 8mm from JEGS
Manley 42125-8 | Buy Manley Valve Lash Caps at JEGS
but these are .080 were mine from 1976 are .058 im thinking originally that they were .060 or, depending on how many miles are on the heads even .080 at one point?
So scene the lash caps are giving me hell and holding up this shin-dig I was thinking about changing out the exhaust valves with these or something similar:
Sealed Power V1961 - Exhaust Valve | O'Reilly Auto Parts
but those dont have the step down on the tip for the caps so in theory I wouldn't have to run the caps yes?
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
A head swap would cover most of it but if you're going through the trouble get a set of late model E7TE heads(they're everywhere on every single 5.0 and 5.8 built from 1987 on), and the reason for that is both of your motors are smog era so the heads have massive low compression combustion chambers, E7 heads would give you a 1/2 point bump in compression along with the simple pedestal mount rockers, and you just need to make sure you get pushrods for a flat tappet 302 motor.
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
I hate it when that happens. The early 80's heads like Conanski said are not the way to go here. anything from 78-84 had 70 cc chambers that'll lower your ratio. Look for a set of E7's or a set of three bar GT40 iron heads off a 96-97 Explorer. E7's are easy to Id, (bolted down) they've got a large "T" cast in the outside corner next to the valve cover rail.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 36
From: British Columbia
I was missing a few of these stock lash caps from a set of heads a few years ago, so I visited an engine machine shop and they let me dig around in their bin of old Ford valve junk to find a few spares.
So if there are any long established machine shops around you, try visiting one.
Unfortunately machine shops occasionally clear out their old junk, so good luck.
So if there are any long established machine shops around you, try visiting one.
Unfortunately machine shops occasionally clear out their old junk, so good luck.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
What number is this lower pic are you calling a valve lash cap?
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 36
From: British Columbia
I don't see it in that picture, I assume we are talking about the little hard steel cup doodad that sit over the top of the valve stem, where it contacts the rocker arm.
Edit: maybe it is 6550.
Edit: maybe it is 6550.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1969 from change L/4 / 1970/81.
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