302bossboy

i have a 302 boss without the 351c heads, it just has 302 heads on it. i am going to put a torker 2 cam and lifters in it, should the valves have enough lift?

69mach1377

Can't really tell without measuring current clearance. It requires removing the head, placing some play dough on the piston, replacing the head, getting an impression of the valves on the dough. removing the head, carefully slicing the dough and measuring the clearance. Now do the math and maintain at least 1/10th of an inch of clearance with your new lift cam...easy as pie.

302bossboy

thnaks for the info that sounds pretty basic. What tool should i use to measure it

69mach1377

Any caliper will do...

bossman351

Isnt the Cleveland style heads what makes it a true BOSS?? Its my understanding that without the Cleveland heads its just another run of the mill 302.

302bossboy

the heads were build on their racing block that starts with a "t" or something. I am evntually going to get the clevland heads but i cant afford the transformayions right now

69FECoupe

Do you mean Tunnel-Port? That was the block that the original Boss motors were built on. They are really not just run of the mill 302's with Cleveland heads. The production blocks had a higher nickel content, screw in freeze plugs, a steel crank, stronger rods with 3/8 bolts, four bolt mains and a solid cam. If the block doesn't have screw in freeze plugs and four bolt mains, it ain't a Tunnel-Port/Boss block.

69mach1377

There has to be an intake manifold difference as well.
There was a company that made intakes to convert 302 and 351Ws to accept cleveland style heads, B&A Ford? It is now very hard to get them, try ebay, for $300 to $500. Ford motorsport catalogues of old discussed this in depth.
Ten years ago, that was a cool trick, and to make a stroker was super cool, but nowadays with so many aftermarket options, it is not required or even affordable.

69FECoupe

There is a big intake difference. There are aftermarket intakes available to make Boss 302 clones.

bossman351

Im building a 351 Cleveland with BOSS 302 heads. The block casting is DOAEL, its got 4 bolt mains, screw in freeze plugs and its studded, has been bored and honed with a deck plate. Ive got the steel BOSS crank and rods and am using TRW forged flat tops .30 over. I got lots of other goodies too. The heads havent been bought yet but their as good as mine no one else knows they are for sale and the guy only wants $400 for them.