Notices

2v 4v history

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 12, 2005 | 02:53 AM
  #1  
nudgey's Avatar
nudgey
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
2v 4v history

Excuse the "newbie" question but i haven't been a ford owner for long. Can some-one please give me an explanation on 2v and 4v heads, what they were put in, what was the most common, performance differences, what is the difference compared to other heads. Information would be greatly appreciated.

Chris
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2005 | 03:53 AM
  #2  
mako5972's Avatar
mako5972
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
I will try to answer this question as best as I can. 2V and 4V refers to the carburetor, meaning if it is a 2bbl or a 4bbl. The 351C 2V and 4V heads. The 2V heads were better for the street because they had higher port velocity. The 4V heads were for race applications. An engine with the 4V heads did not perform well until the engine hit higher rpm's.

What some people would do was to put 2V heads on their 4bbl engine for better street performance.

I hope this helps clear things up a bit.
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2005 | 09:12 AM
  #3  
286merc's Avatar
286merc
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
Since trucks have been using the 302 & 351W for decades now I dont understand the 351C reference?

4v 351W's are used in trucks and that aint no racing application.

So who can detail what factory heads work best in working truck applications? Im also curious and I dont care about cars and racing; just need more power on the hills.

85 351W 4v/C6/E350 dually
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2005 | 09:20 PM
  #4  
smoke n tires's Avatar
smoke n tires
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: midwest
the best heads for something like your application would be something that flows well at low rpms so you can build torque. the pre 1974 351w heads have a little bit bigger valves and would raise compression to around 9.5-1. they still would make good low end torque and give you some more hp. the heads you have are problably the same as anything after 1974, they are about like the 302 heads, they do make decent torque but hurt compression. if you could find pre 1974 heads they would work best with a good intake, carb and headers.
 
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2005 | 12:10 AM
  #5  
mako5972's Avatar
mako5972
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
Port velocity is the key for making low end torque utilized for every day driving. That is you want a pair of heads that the valves are not too big. I would not go with anything larger than 1.90 intake/1.60 exhaust.

Didn't the 302 and 351W share the same heads. There was no 2V and 4V heads that I know of (for the Windsor). I could be wrong.

286 Merc if you want more power for hills you want heads where the valves are not too big. Port velocity is the key. Probably the best thing for you is to have your heads ported in the exhaust ports too have those smog bumps removed. That in itself will give you more power even with the stock cam.

I bet your stock 351W heads are the same as the heads on my 351W that came from the factory with a 2bbl.

I am not sure but I believe the only engine that had the 2V and 4V heads was the 351Cleveland. I believe that the 302 Boss was a 302 with Cleveland heads. That engine lived in the upper rpm band.
 
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2005 | 01:13 AM
  #6  
termyt00's Avatar
termyt00
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Close to Mr. Anderson
there were 2vand 4v windsor heads back in '69/70. the 2v were standard 289/302 heads,the 4v came out on 351w they had larger valves.stock ford heads after '72/'73 were all the same,later they enlarged the combustion chambers to reduce compression.the stock heads are really sorry they really dont flow good enough for the 351, they barely fulfil the needs of a 302. if you really want any decent performance out of a 351 toss the stock heads. you can pick up a set of good aftermarket heads for about $500 the FORD GT40 heads are a vast improvement !
 
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2005 | 02:49 AM
  #7  
mako5972's Avatar
mako5972
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
Ok, I'll buy that in 69 to 73 they may have had them, but they weren't used for decades. Yes, stock heads stink to a certain degree. GT-40 heads are better, even better than that the World products Roush 180 heads, better still Edelbrock Performers. I would not go larger than 1.90 intake / 1.60 exhaust valves. Too big and you start losing port velocity.

The GT-40 heads, and the Roush 180 heads are a little better for low end grunt than the other heads. However, when you do head swaps, watch the compression.

This is a little bit off of the topic.
 
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2005 | 04:12 AM
  #8  
termyt00's Avatar
termyt00
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Close to Mr. Anderson
286 merc , i have a 427 stroker which works very well! if you have the funds that is the way to go. i have the PAW kit ,they do not make the 427 anymore just 418/408 strokers. at $2900 for the shortblock that is not a bad deal it comes with a forged steel crank too! don't even think about using the stock heads!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:46 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE