As many of you know I'm going to be rebuilding the 302 in my '79 f-150. The water pump whent out the other day so I'm gonna go ahead and get started on the engine rebuild as it was planned anyway. I am unsure of what heads to use, I'm kinda hung up and need some help/advice. Below is my "plan" please read and see if you can help.
I'm looking for between 250 and 300 horsepower and 300+ ftlbs of torque. This 302 is for a '79 f-150 reg. cab long bed. It has A/C, P/S, P/B, etc. It weighs alittle less than 3500lbs street weight and I can get it under 3300lbs when I take it to the track. I need the engine to be streetable (good vacum for brakes and such) and run on pump gas with decent gas mileage.
It is backed by a C4 trans that will be getting a shift kit. It has a 9" with 2.75 open gears. I will be moving to 3.25 w/ limited slip after the engine swap.
My goal is basically a 14sec or faster truck that I can drive every day.
My plans for the 302 was a 30 over short block (306ci) with basically stock rotating assembly but with flat top pistons. I will be using a comp cams Extreme Energy 262H cam kit (included cam, lifters, double roller timing chain, valve guides, valve locks, springs, spring retainers, and lube). The 262 is perfect for the gears I am going to use and is made for a mild small block w/ auto trans and no stall converter. I could step down to the 258 and it would make no noticable differance in power/torque but it wouldn't allow me to upgrade other parts of the engine later.
I plan to use a Edelbrock Performer RPM intake w/ a 600cfm edelbrock 4bbl w/ electric choke (topped with a K&N extreme flow air cleaner assebly). I will also be using an edelbrock fuel pump and water pump. I have some of the factory stainless steel shorty headers that have been HPC coated and I will be using those since they will flow better than manifolds yet won't give me sway bar clearance problem.
Now the heads are what I don't know about. I have some stock D8OE's off a 351W and the truck probably currently has D9TE's on the 302 (won't know untill I take it apart). I am unsure of what heads to use or if I need to go to an aftermarket head. I know I don't want aluminum heads....I don't need the weight savings and don't want to deal with them. I don't want to spend any more than $400 or $500 on a set of complete heads. Would one of the heads I have work with little work? Which would be my best choice? I'm going for 9.5:1 compression or so. I thought about GT40P heads, I can afford them and all but I was worried about valve to piston clearance. Would they would with flat tops? Maybe get some E7s or regular GT40s? I am not against pulling a set of heads at the junkyard and then rebuilding them but I need to figure it out quickly.
All of y'all help has been appreciated and is very valuable.
I just need to decide on heads so I can get this project going. Please help!
Nick

 

I'm nearly in the exact same boat you are. I have a 73 F100 with a 302 looking for similar numbers as you are. 300HP 325 Tq. My hears are stock D20E-BA - having them reworked with 1.9/1.6 valves, block will be .030 over and stroked to 3.25 making a 331 out of the 302. The heads will cost about 250 to have hardened seats and enlarged valves. I am buying a fair amount of new parts - all new rotating assembly, flattop pistons and such. Big difference is I'll be using a Isky 264 mega grind, 214 duration at .050, .480 lift on both, headers and a C4 that will get a transpak applied, Ford 9inch - 31 spline and 3.25 gears. intake will be Edelbrick airgap, holly 600 or equivilent.

 

I would go for a set of world cast iron for small block ford, $309 for unassembled a peice or $409 in jegs, with 58cc chambers and 1.94/1.60 valves. up to .560" of lift.
Or a set of ported e7's if that is too much for the budget.