351w Swap
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,576
Likes: 2,039
From: North Texas
I too recollect early Lightning were flat tappet, but equipped with the F4TE block I do believe
Ford was probably using up whatever was left in the parts bin, makes sense from financial standpoint
Swear GM did the same with TBI trucks
Ford was probably using up whatever was left in the parts bin, makes sense from financial standpoint
Swear GM did the same with TBI trucks
Last edited by Hit Man X; Dec 31, 2025 at 03:12 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,576
Likes: 2,039
From: North Texas
No clue change over, I would assume later 94. Yet, to assume makes an *** out of u and me 
My 05/88 302 was not drilled, nor tapped, 'nubs' there. Pal's 11/88 302, 89MY, as ready to rock.
Both the crapola flat tappet, peanut camshaft. The later the better
My 05/88 302 was not drilled, nor tapped, 'nubs' there. Pal's 11/88 302, 89MY, as ready to rock.
Both the crapola flat tappet, peanut camshaft. The later the better
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 430
I have a hair of making an *** of myself, no need for help! Just ask the wife haha! Everyone always talks about getting the F4 casting so it was a roller. That’s why I’m just going to boost what I have, I already know!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 430
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. In case I have to, any 90+ block and no matter what plan on top end roller stuff. I’m a plan for the worst person.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 424
From: NE Ohio
If your block has the raised 'nub' above the #2 and #4 cam bearing, you should be good to go. Easy to drill/tap for the 1/4-20 spider hold-down bolts. Roller cam motors also had the top surface of the lifter bores machined flat for the 'dogbones'. The spider/dogbones and lifters are the same as a roller 5.0.
For 'better' stock SBF head shopping at your local pick-a-part, 5.0 Ford Explorers/Mercury Mountaineer used either the GT40 heads 1994-1997.5, and GT40Ps from '97.5-2002. BUT they will have 7/16 head bolt holes. 351Ws used 1/2" head bolts. The 5.0 heads can bee drilled to accept 1/2" bolts - just a few bucks for your machinist unless you have a good drill press.
Cams, the stock roller cam is only around .444 lift and a 195-200° duration at .050. The 5.0HO mustang cam had that same anemic .444 lift, but a 210° duration at .050.
For 'better' stock SBF head shopping at your local pick-a-part, 5.0 Ford Explorers/Mercury Mountaineer used either the GT40 heads 1994-1997.5, and GT40Ps from '97.5-2002. BUT they will have 7/16 head bolt holes. 351Ws used 1/2" head bolts. The 5.0 heads can bee drilled to accept 1/2" bolts - just a few bucks for your machinist unless you have a good drill press.
Cams, the stock roller cam is only around .444 lift and a 195-200° duration at .050. The 5.0HO mustang cam had that same anemic .444 lift, but a 210° duration at .050.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,904
Likes: 2,450
Same here. My F4TE engine was out of a ‘94 E-150 conversion van.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 255
Likes: 6
From: 94' F-250 460 4x4 e4od
yeah unfortunately is most definitely a roller block with a flat tappet tappet cam and lifters so plans for this engine are definitely gonna change
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 430
what I meant was I was under the impression that all F4 blocks had a roller cam installed, factory. I didn’t know that any had flat tappet. Before working on my 302, I had been toying the idea of an F4TE assuming it was a roller motor (would have lifters, spider and dog bones).
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,904
Likes: 2,450
