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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Affordable Heads?

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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 04:43 PM
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Affordable Heads?

Im looking at rebuilding my heads ot buying new ones.
1972 F100 with 302.
I believe everything is original and I've got something bad in one of the cylinders on drivers side plus I'm not sure but assume that 72 heads aint supposed to run on unleaded fuel?
So my choices are- rebuild the heads myself or send them to a shop, order reman heads if they make them, or buy maybe Edelbrock or similar heads.
I figure the cost of rebuilding heads to be near the cost of new heads?
I would like to pay $700 or less.
Any help appreciated!
 
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 04:55 PM
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Buy a late model Exploder motor, swap out the front end stuff, put your carb manifold on it, sort out the distributor, depending on your trans, bring the OD automatic with it, and there you go.

Exploder heads will also work if the rest of your motor is just too good to use on the anchor chain.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 05:01 PM
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I'm trying to keep it as original as possible block wise but great idea!
I've heard 351w heads are bolt on is this true??
 

Last edited by ovalhead72; Sep 12, 2018 at 05:03 PM. Reason: Pic
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 05:08 PM
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351w heads will work, in some later model years I think they are the same head. No gain though. In the original hot rodder trick of putting 351w heads on your 289 or 302, you traded better valves and ports for lower compression. (with stock pistons)

Exploder heads are probably the better answer then. Check the SBF forum for many threads on these heads and what to look for. Conanski seems to have an encyclopedic level of knowledge on this.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 05:12 PM
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Ok as seen in pic above dude has 351w heads & rotating assy from a 1996 truck- those heads will fit?
I just need it to run pain free right now lol im gonna hot rod it as I go.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 05:16 PM
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What about these heads?! They'll work??
 
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 05:18 PM
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For $100 that stuff must have sat in the surf for a while. You can use heads, maybe exhaust manifolds, maybe the pistons, but not the rest of it.

On the heads, Ford changed from stud to pedestal rockers, so you need to pay attention to pushrod length. I found one source that says the pushrods are the same. Again, you can't use 351w pushrods.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 05:33 PM
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Ok thanks!
i just found an ad for 1994 bronco heads assume theyll fit but may need different pushrods too ?
 
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 06:53 PM
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Maybe. Pretty much all SBF heads interchange, but I do not know which ones are the best. See below:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...reshen-up.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...7te-heads.html
 
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 08:02 PM
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In 72 I believe Ford started using induction hardened valve seats for low lead fuel knowing no lead was coming.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2018 | 09:53 PM
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Edelbrock e-street and blue print cylinder heads are decent budget aluminum heads.
 
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