Strange DOOE heads

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Dec 24, 2002 | 08:24 PM

Nathan

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Strange DOOE heads

Some years ago I purchased some DOOE 351W heads at a swap meet. I never used them but kept them around. Recently I was comparing them to some 80s W heads when I noticed something strange. The DOOE heads have 7/16" head bolt holes! I confirmed that the valves, ports and chambers were 351 sizes, and they have 351 cast into each head. The next oddity is, they have a casting date of 3K16 (Nov. 16, 1973, correct?) All dimensions point toward the DOOE casting #, but not the casting date. Maybe some Ford employee custom built some 351 heads for his new 302 powered Ford car?

Any thoughts?

Nathan

Dec 27, 2002 | 08:27 AM

rc351w

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Strange DOOE heads

DOOE heads were in service right up to '74. The casting # DOOE refers to the origional design, the date gives the year cast. A part such as a head may remain in service for years without any major redesign and therefore keeps its origional casting number, but because of minor changes such as chamber volume and valve sizing requires it to have a casting date as well.

Take the E5TE heads, origionally designed in '85 for trucks with a 67.5cc cumbustion chamber. In '87 the E5TE heads were still in service but had a 60.6cc chamber. In order to replace a cracked head, the service tech needs the casting date to determine which head to use.

Dec 27, 2002 | 09:34 AM

Nathan

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Strange DOOE heads

Thanks, I was aware about part #s existing for some years, but that doesnt explain the 7/16" head bolt holes (302 size) instead of the 351s 1/2" holes. I havent had them cc'd, but everything else screams 351W. Weird, huh?

Nathan