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351 heads on a 302

1970Custom

They call me Spuds
14,107
447
Middleton, ID
Pros, cons, need to knows.
 

DNFXDLI

The Token Canadian
Staff member
I seem to recall something about the head bolts being either longer or wider and maybe something about the intake gaskets not covering a water passage on real early heads....but it's been a long while....and I think it's otherwise a straight swap.
 

1970Custom

They call me Spuds
14,107
447
Middleton, ID
Okay, did some research... Dur...


late model 351 heads flow the same as the 302 so if you are upgrading the heads the ones to get are the early style.... But the difference are the bolt size on a 351 windsors are 1/2" and they are 7/16 on 289/302...late model heads have 1.78 intake & 1.46 exhuast valves and early ones have 1.84 & 1.54 & also slightly larger intake and exhaust runners.

Ford began using the same basic head casting for both the 302 and 351W in 1977.

These later 351s, originally identified as 351Ks, have the rectangular 302 intake water passages and 6 intake manifold bolt holes. Original 351W heads have L-shaped water passages and 8 intake manifold bolt holes.

Also, the late model 302/351 heads have a larger water passage at the rear,
which means the intake gaskets are different between early and late models.

If you swap "real" '69-'76 351W heads onto a 302 you need to use the
351W style intake manifold gaskets, as the 302 gaskets will leak water
at the unique 351W intake manifold water ports.
 

DNFXDLI

The Token Canadian
Staff member
My memory still kinda works :D
 

DNFXDLI

The Token Canadian
Staff member
More cubes = more fun usually.
 

O'Rattlecan

Redneck Prognosticator
26,687
797
Belton, MO
Beat me to it. I put 302 heads on the 351, so the opposite, but the machine shop had to bore out the head bolt holes just slightly for clearance.

You might consider sleeving them? I dunno, might be a waste of time.

Ryan
 

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