I have a '74 351 windsor and a '89 302. I am rebuilding the 351 and i heard that if you swap the 351 heads for 302 heads that they will boost performance. Is this true? I plan on getting the heads completely reconned, but what if any power boosts will this give me and is it worth it? Both sets of cyl. heads are stock but whichever set i use will get stronger springs ,new rockers, and valves. Also are there any mods. that will have to be done to the 302 heads to fit the 351W.

Any info will be appreciated!

 

Watch out for the water jackets at the ends of the heads. The '74 351 W still used the extra intake manifold bolt on each end (4 extra total). this made the water jacket 'L' shaped and you need to check the shape of the late model 302 heads for shape. You may end up with no way to seal the water passage into the intake manifold if you do use them with the early Carburated manifold. The extra bolt hole would gush water. I just remembered the '78 and later 351W deleted the extra bolts and may give you the Manifold you need to run the later 302 heads. Good luck.
Eric



Proud owner of a '73 F-250 4x4 High Boy, 460 V8, NP435, NP205
And a '68 Bronco 289 v8 , NP435 , Dana 20

 

Have you looked this over? You've got everything there.
I keep hearing that you have to get special bolts to put
351w heads on a 302, because the 302 uses smaller head bolts.
If this is the case I'm going to guess you can't use the 302
heads on a 351w because the bolt holes are going to be to small in the heads.

 

Just to clarify things a bit, the 302's do use a smaller bolt (7/16 and 1/2" for windsors) but the heads are pretty much identical. The holes for the head bolts are the same, the 302 bolt has a heavy shoulder where it goes through the head to take up the slack. If you really want to gain performance, try to find a set of pre '71 302 or windsor heads and do them up. The heads before '71 had a 60cc combustion chamber as opposed to 64cc for later heads. Have new guides and a set of 1.94" intake and 1.60" exhaust values installed. As well, you can do some major porting and bowl blending to make them flow almost as good as a set of Edlebrock Performer heads.

Here's a site that compares them:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/05/heads/index.shtml

Here's another that tells you how to do the porting:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/07/homeporting/index.shtml

Good luck

RCC

 

>Just to clarify things a bit,
>the 302's do use a
>smaller bolt (7/16 and 1/2"
>for windsors) but the heads
>are pretty much identical. The
>holes for the head bolts
>are the same, the 302
>bolt has a heavy shoulder
>where it goes through the
>head to take up the
>slack. If you really want
>to gain performance, try to
>find a set of pre
>'71 302 or windsor heads
>and do them up. The
>heads before '71 had a
>60cc combustion chamber as opposed
>to 64cc for later heads.
>Have new guides and a
>set of 1.94" intake and
>1.60" exhaust values installed. As
>well, you can do some
>major porting and bowl blending
>to make them flow almost
>as good as a set
>of Edlebrock Performer heads.
>
>Here's a site that compares them:
>
>
>http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/05/heads/index.shtml
>
>Here's another that tells you how
>to do the porting:
>
>http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/07/homeporting/index.shtml
>
>Good luck
>
>RCC
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The head bolt holes on 302/351's are NOT the same. The 302 is 7/16" and the 351 is a 1/2" bolt hole. There is a shim kit from edlebrock that will let you use 7/16" bolts in the 1/2" hole. The post about the water jackets and extra manifold bolt is correct. There are very few 351W heads that are performance heads that'll offer a performance gain.

Look into TFS TW aluminum heads for around $1000 +rockers, pushrods, or edelbrock that will use the pedestal rockers for under $1200 or GT-40 Irons for $500 used

 

curtis- the 351 has better breathing heads from 69 to 77, starting in 78, they have the same ports and valves. Putting 302 heads on a 351 is do-able but would slow you down. Putting early 351 heads on a 302 is a good idea, is that what you have heard about? DF

 

Thanks for all the info!
I have decided to use the original heads and get them reconned. I just got my block back from being bored .030 and am waiting for the crank i ordered. i cant wait to start building.
thanks again!