302 HEAD SWAP
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
302 HEAD SWAP
I'm putting together a 302 for a 68 mustang. The stock heads needed valve guides so while that was being done if found a set of gt heads off a 351 ford lightning. will these head work on a old 302 block? I know they will bolt up , but will everything else. I was told the headers won't work.the head bolts are to big. any help would be great.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
RE: 302 HEAD SWAP
I'm putting together a 302 for a 68 mustang. The stock heads needed valve guides so while that was being done if found a set of gt heads off a 351 ford lightning. will these head work on a old 302 block? I know they will bolt up , but will everything else. I was told the headers won't work.the head bolts are to big. any help would be great.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 393
From:
RE: 302 HEAD SWAP
double posts suck eh?
GT40 heads from a lightning have the same spark plug location and same exhaust pattern as any 302 so your just fine there - its the GT40P's that have a different plug angle which makes the spark plugs hit regular headers.
in regards to the head bolt holes, you can buy bushings made specifically for using heads designed for a 351w on a 302, but honestly all you NEED to do is use grade 8 washers under the heads of the 302 bolts - the two alignment dowels will keep the heads centered on the block and all bolts do is clamp the two parts together.
your intake ports will be slighty larger, you'll need to use intake gaskets from a 69 era 351w - and if you port match your intake manifold to the new larger ports in the heads you'll help take advantage of the gains you'll see from these heads.
oh yeah, and welcome to the forums
GT40 heads from a lightning have the same spark plug location and same exhaust pattern as any 302 so your just fine there - its the GT40P's that have a different plug angle which makes the spark plugs hit regular headers.
in regards to the head bolt holes, you can buy bushings made specifically for using heads designed for a 351w on a 302, but honestly all you NEED to do is use grade 8 washers under the heads of the 302 bolts - the two alignment dowels will keep the heads centered on the block and all bolts do is clamp the two parts together.
your intake ports will be slighty larger, you'll need to use intake gaskets from a 69 era 351w - and if you port match your intake manifold to the new larger ports in the heads you'll help take advantage of the gains you'll see from these heads.
oh yeah, and welcome to the forums
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 971
From: Apison, TN
RE: 302 HEAD SWAP
Well, while washers might work ok, I would suggest getting the bushings. It is the correct way to do it and is inexpensive. The bolts do help hold the head centered, so I wouldn't just use washers.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,896
From: Elk Grove, CA
RE: 302 HEAD SWAP
+1.
You need to replace the head bolts anyway, and that's a better way to do it than using bushings. And yes, you really do need to use either bushings or the ARP reduction bolts. Those alignment dowels are there to line the heads up during installation; they're not designed to take any kind of load. The head bolts are what keep the heads in proper alignent while installed.
You need to replace the head bolts anyway, and that's a better way to do it than using bushings. And yes, you really do need to use either bushings or the ARP reduction bolts. Those alignment dowels are there to line the heads up during installation; they're not designed to take any kind of load. The head bolts are what keep the heads in proper alignent while installed.
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