[stock5.0rock]

Im sure you guys have gotten this one before. and i see the guide to mods and i like it, but with the sawp, im asking for a basic run down, i have pretty good car knowledge but when it gets into all this im lost so i know to "Look for 351W heads with casting numbers C9OE or D0OE" bacause these heads had the best valve/runner combos, and if i loose compression i can mill them back, and to use 1/2" head bolts and 351 head gaskets, and to also staw with the 302 push rods. ive heard its going to depend on the intake and cam.... no idea if i should get uppen and lower and i just need steps, hints, methods, anything, and everything.

thanks for your help!

1993 mustang lx.

[Oldstanger]

I don't know if this will help, but here is what I posted recently about a 351W head swap on a 289/302.

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...head-swap.html

The heads could never be machined enough to make up for the compression ratio difference, and anything removed beyond .030" would start upsetting intake manifold bolt hole alignment.
Jim

[The Greek]

Ford Racing and ARP sell 302/5.0 head bolts that have special reducing washers so that you can use the 302's 7/16 inch bolts on the 1/2 inch sized holes in the 351 cyl head. The reducing washers keep the bolts properly centered. I have GT-40 heads that have the 1/2 inch holes and I used 302 head gaskets with no problem. I also used the 302 pushrods. Dimensionally 302/5.0 and 351 heads are the same except for the bolt holes.

Some of the early 351 heads did have a "dog legged" coolant passage, but the Fel-Pro intake gaskets that I used had a provision for this. Using a 302/5.0 intake with these gaskets won't cause any problems. I do suggest a light application of silicone gasket sealer around the coolant passages though, for a bit of insurance.

The only way that you are going to be able to use 1/2 inch head bolts on a 302/5.0 block is to have the block modified. There is no reason for this and the only way I can see that you could install 1/2 inch bolts would be to completely weld up the bolt holes and redrill and tap them. There is no way to get good 1/2 inch threads any other way because of the closeness in diameter of the two sizes. The thread diameters are going to be too close to each other. If you were to run a 1/2 inch thread into the block, you're still going to have traces of the 7/16 inch threads there.

Whoever is giving you your info may not know as much as he thinks. It's always best to get other opinions, like you are doing.

[Oldstanger]

The Greek is 100% correct. Respectfuly.
But, I hope he wasn't referring to me.

( Whoever is giving you your info may not know as much as he thinks. )

Jim

[stock5.0rock]

thank you both, i got the information i posted from other tech forums, and i just wanted to be sure, im planning on buying a 302 running motor for around 300 ( ive found some) and build up what i can on a budget. im sure i will be back again for your help
thanks again
- chris